Mark Penfold, Chaplain (Colonel) U.S. Army, retired, the Endorsing Agent, Charis Fellowship/Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, has sent his June report to friends of the Eagle Commission. Updates from the report appear below. For more information on the Eagle Commission, the organization which encourages and supports Charis Fellowship military chaplains, click here.
Chaplain (MAJ) Billy Graham received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in May! The military greatly values those who take on the challenge of additional education.
Congratulations to both Billy and Robin for all class work and research. The title of his dissertation was “Jesus – the Model for Chaplain Mentorship.”
A little-known fact is that the U.S. Air Force has an auxiliary component known as the Civil Air Patrol. One of our own, Bill Cochran (on the left) was recognized for his outstanding ministry. His command presented him with the 2018 Chaplain of the Year award for the Alabama Wing (Civil Air Patrol.) Congratulations Chaplain!
In May I had the privilege of visiting Chaplain (CPT) Jonas Winbolt at Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA. Jonas is from the SoCal district and just completed his first year as an active duty chaplain. His commander and chaplain supervisor both spoke well of him and the impact he is having in his unit and in ministry on the entire post. His wife Lisa will be leading the Protestant Women of the Chapel program on post next year. Pray for Jonas, Lisa, and their four children as they continue to adjust to the high pace of military life. Pray for fruit as they reach many with the Gospel.
While I was with the Winbolts, I had a chance to visit North Fort Lewis. This was the location of my first assignment in the Army Reserve in 1988. The chapel where I conducted services for the ROTC Advanced Camp is no longer in use.
For more information on the Eagle Commission, the organization which encourages and supports Charis Fellowship military chaplains, click here.