Creative Chaplaincy

 

Those who serve in the chaplaincy for our armed forces are, to me, unsung heros of the faith. Since 2018, Stephen Huebscher has served on the USS Princeton, stationed in San Diego, California, as a Navy Chaplain. He oversees all religious functions related to the ship.

When they are at sea, Stephen leads worship services and Bible studies. He provides counseling and training on skills needed as an adult, marriage counseling, and suicide prevention. He advises the leadership of the command on morale, morals, and ethics.

Becoming a chaplain involved a complicated process which culminated in an in-person interview at the Pentagon. He spent a year in a Chaplain Residency and twelve weeks in officer and chaplain school.

“My personal goal for those on my ship is to determine what God is already doing in their lives and help them respond appropriately to Him,” writes Huebscher. “In practice, this means getting to know people and looking for opportunities to speak biblical truth to them.”

“Ship life is grueling for sailors,” he continues. “I love getting to be God’s representative to them and share life with them. It’s truly an honor to serve our country.”

When Paul speaks of our responsibility to government in Romans 13 he reminds us to give “honor to whom honor” is due (Romans 13:7). To me, that certainly includes our military chaplains. Let’s remember to give honor to those who serve both God and country.