On a typical installation, there is a Base Commander who is in charge of the goings-on there. The main chaplain (Base, Garrison, Wing, etc.) is tasked by the base commander with meeting the religious needs of the troops. This means all chaplains will be administrators, heavy-duty counselors, Bible-study leaders, maybe on pastoral staff of chapels. The internal weight upon them is tremendous, not to mention the underlying need to prove to the DoD the value of the chaplaincy in the face of opposition from groups that push for the dismantling of the entire corps!
We were early on asked to help good chaplains who cared for their troops and were feeling the load. Compassion fatigue was often taking its toll on these “spiritual boots on the ground”, and they needed assistance. Taking our cues from them, we learned quickly there were some key ways that would help alleviate all that stress, safely and legitimately. We could endorse and bring to the table trained, Biblically sound Point Men and their willing helpers.
The same thing that motivated the chaplain to serve God and country motivates these servant-leaders. Through a love for our country and understanding of the chain-of-command, they can do extra-curricular things that will STRENGTHEN and LENGTHEN the chaplain’s reach among his troops!
Our Ministry team volunteers come alongside the Chaplain Corps as military-loving and highly trained volunteer civilians that know the do’s and don’t’s of ministry on a military installation. Being smaller than some para-church organizations, our community chapters carry less organizational weight and can respond quickly to the chaplains’ wishes and be tasked for “rapid insertion” into last-minute needs like a class that needs taught, a death-notification visit, showing up at a drop zone with goodies, etc. We were asked on one large Marine Corps base to work with the Navs on a Boot-Camp service, which has gone on to reach thousands. Because the Commanding General liked it, the Point Man was tasked to put together a worship service for the SOI program, then even asked to co-write the Spiritual Fitness Curriculum for the nation’s Marine Combat Training. When we were asked, we responded positively, and delivered the goods.
Chaplains often find it safer to try to do everything by themselves and their paid staff. But many chaplains want to help more people than time and manpower permit! They really could use a layman of excellence or ordained minister from the community to lead a Bible study sometimes. And they WOULD, if the confidence was there; meaning, if he knew he was not allowing some group to satellite itself onto the base, and if the helper was wisely observing “anti-proselyting” protocol. So, if the volunteer had good ethics so as not to embarrass the Chaplain, he or she could be a help !
Eagles’ Wings recognizes that our POC on each base is a chaplain who is directly answerable to someone above him–perhaps a 2-Star General. To this end, EWMM believes the way to eliminate potential complaints is to keep the chaplaincy esteemed highly in all our dealings. And also to keep Christ as the Theme of themes in our fellowships; and to refer all questions and topics of discussion back to the Bible– the “Uniform Code” of Spiritual Fitness!
“Kevin Raub has been working closely with me at the Marine Memorial Chapel at the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, since October 2001. His team has demonstrated a passion to reach the Marines and Sailors on this Base with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has worked in cooperation with the chaplains at Camp Pendleton, under the auspices of The Eagles’ Wings Military Ministry, and has established four different Bible studies, scattered throughout this large base. One of those Bible studies takes place weekly at the chapel where I serve as Pastor. In his dealings with me, he has been very respectful of the various ministries that take place here, as well as of the facility he uses. On one occasion, he and his Bible study group took time to shampoo the carpet in the classroom they were using, as well as the carpets in several other rooms. In addition, he and his lovely family came to sing special music at one of our Sunday morning worship services, bringing great joy to all who were in attendance.” –Chaplain Roger VanDerWerken