Success Stories
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Success stories
Despite being part of seeing God meet people where they are, it some times hard for Chaplains to believe that there are fruits from their labor. God connects Chaplains to people that need a present remind that God is with still with them in crisis.
Below are a couple success stories to encourage you to continue your efforts in Chaplaincy.
Serving People and God - Chaplain Craig Davis
“My family and I are leaving for the night Chaplain, but we plan to be back again in the morning. Would you sit with my son for a while so that he’s not alone?” “Of course,” I said, “it would be an honor to sit with Jimmy, (not his real name). Try and get some rest tonight, it’s been a long day for everyone.”
As I watched the last of the family disappear into the parking lot, I turned to walk back inside the hospital, a Level-1 Trauma Center.
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Waiting for the elevator to whisk me upstairs my mind drifted back to the newspaper article I’d read earlier that morning about a senseless tragedy that happened the night before. Jimmy, a 19-year-old man had taken his girlfriend to see a late-night showing of a current movie.
Since Monday nights tend to be rather slow for movie houses it was no surprise to see only six-people in the theater. Aside from Jimmy and his date, there were four other young men in their late teens, sitting in the last row of seats, just under the projectionist’s window.
At some point during the movie one of the four men opened a brown lunch sack he’d brought with him and pulled out a 9mm pistol. Silently creeping up behind the couple he fired a round into each of the couple’s heads. The four men rushed out, disappearing into the night. The responding Paramedic’s would later report the young woman had died instantly, while Jimmy was still alive, but barely so.
Once the elevator door opened, I quickly walked down a short hallway and into the Intensive Care Unit. The lights in Jimmy’s room had been dimmed and the only other person present was his nurse. As I entered both our eyes locked, no words were necessary. The only noise in the room was the ventilator, supplying life-giving air into Jimmy’s lungs. As the nurse attended to her duties, I stood at the head of the bed and softly began to speak to him. (Medical researchers report that hearing is one the last senses to go after an injury such as this and that the patient may very well be able to hear what’s being said to them). I told Jimmy that many a prayer had gone up on his behalf and that his entire family were pulling for him. Although unresponsive, I told him I was sorry he had to be a part of this senseless tragedy. That we live in a broken world and this was one of the consequences. I also explained that this might be a good time for him to make peace with God, if he hadn’t done so already. That God loves him and His plan of salvation is simple. Scripture says if you confess your sins with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. If you do that Jimmy, then you will live together with the Lord for all eternity.
After that I prayed over him and then turned to leave. As I did, I realized the nurse was still in the room standing at the foot of the bed. She’d been listening all along and the faint light in the room glistened off the tears on her cheeks. “Thank you” she said as I left.
Jimmy expired four-days later.
* * *
It was late now as I made my way back to the car and headed for home. For some unknown reason I began reflecting back on how I ended up becoming a chaplain some six years earlier. Retirement had been looming on the horizon and I began to contemplate what the next chapter in my life might hold. Having been a believer for the better part of my adult life I simply could not justify sitting idle at home rocking-away my final years doing absolutely nothing. Besides, the word “retirement” is nowhere to be found in the Bible, so I began searching for something purposeful to do as a new retiree. I knew I had a strong desire to make a difference in people’s lives and to demonstrate the love of God beyond the normal church setting. I could feel a calling deep within my soul, but just couldn’t put my finger on it.
At about the same time a friend who’d retired a couple years prior had become a chaplain and was working with the local fire department. That intrigued me greatly and I began seeking the Lord about entering into chaplaincy as well, all I needed was confirmation. Then, one day during morning devotions I happened to come across a scripture, (Numbers 16:48). I read where the Lord had become angry with the Israelites over something they’d done and threatened to destroy them all with a plague. Upon hearing this, Moses had his brother Aaron quickly place incense and coals from the Lord’s alter in a sensor and wave it between “the living and the dead” and the people were spared. As I read this those four-words jumped out at me.
It was as if a lightbulb had switched-on inside my head. It was the confirmation I’d been seeking and I knew right then that I would become a chaplain and serve among the “living and the dead”.
Why I Became a Chaplain - Lynne Brockmeier
I have worked with individuals in crisis for many years, directly and indirectly through my work with county programs and church ministries. I was a manager of a program that served those living on the streets. I helped create a program about creating hope for those who had multiple barriers to housing and seeing them move forward in their lives. That was the best part of my job … seeing hope revived and barriers and stumbling blocks removed!
One aspect of the job was working closely and supporting veterans.
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We were able to bring several veterans onto our team. I saw the level of trauma that had affected their lives. This touched me and I became dedicated to trying to bring hope to these warriors. Unfortunately, in 2018 I had to retire unexpectedly due to a challenging cancer diagnosis. This took me away from a position where I felt I was truly making a difference.
As I found myself now retired, I decided to attend a Chaplain class with Living Shield Ministries and see what the Lord would do with it. One course led to another and the next thing I knew, I had completed the full set of courses and became ordained as a chaplain. My husband had retired several years before, to serve the community as a Crisis Response Chaplain, and we serve together in our church “helps “ministry. My health still limits me in how I can serve in this capacity, but the Lord has shown me that I can use the skills and training I received in many different circumstances.
In one situation where the Lord lead, I had a brief contact with the medical worker checking me in for a lab. As it was during the Covid lockdowns, I made eye contact and simply asked her how she was holding up. Flexing my chaplain skills! She looked at me and then became tearful. We were in public and she was working next to others, so I tried to be discrete. She shared she had worked thru the holidays and now had been reassigned to this desk. I empathized with how difficult that must have been, she shared her difficulties quietly. I gave her quiet attention and sincere empathy. I shared I would be praying for her. As we wrapped up and I was walking away, she called out to me “I appreciate you, thank you”. This was just a chance encounter but the Holy Spirit seemed to be telling me that she needed a listening ear and a compassionate heart. Just being present, making eye contact, and showing you care, can make a substantial impact on someone who is struggling. This was a true lesson for this chaplain on being aware of those who you come in contact with.
Shortly after this, I found myself in the hospital with sepsis. During this unexpected hospital stay, I had the opportunity on the first night to encourage and support two of the direct care nursing staff, who had discovered I was a chaplain. It was an opportunity for workers to share their concerns, while they treated me throughout the night with treatment/cooling procedures. This was a time of one-on-one during my care. Even though I couldn’t talk much, I could give moments of encouragement, some reframing of their thoughts, and redirection to their support systems and their faith leaders. They each individually made a point at end of their shifts to come back and see me, expressing gratitude and thanking me for my support. They both stated they believed that God had brought me there to encourage them. God had met them where they were.
During that same hospital stay my husband, and I was able to share with one of my other nurses who was grieving the loss of her father. We tried to provide comfort, support, and empathy as we listened to her story. She was struggling with the increasing anxiety at work during COVID. This was compounded by the trauma in her childhood, her previous lifestyle challenges, and now her children’s poor choices. And finally, her peers were attacking her faith, especially that day. While we couldn’t say much, we just listened and encouraged her as she poured out her heart. She allowed us to say a prayer with her. She was very emotional and tearful, but thankful after the prayer, indicating that her anxiety was much better.
The following day she shared with us more information, that indicated that she had been struggling in a true crisis of faith. She could feel a huge burden lifted after the prayer and that God had us there for her. That night, she said she had spent time with God and told Him she was thankful and “I see that you are still there for me, you haven’t left me!” She had a new demeanor that was joyful and peaceful.
Praise God for His work in every circumstance.
That’s when I knew that my decision to take the courses, to be open to God even using my weaknesses for His glory, was breathing hope into hurting people. That is something worth being a part of!
Chaplain Christine McLaughlin (RUSD Chaplain)
In 2021 a high school near me suffered the sudden death of supervisor. I had responded to that call, and later made visits there periodically to see how staff was holding up. At one point, I had the opportunity to pray with the principal, who was very appreciative.
Recently, this same principal called me. A beloved teacher who had taught at that high school for 23 years had died.
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The principal asked me to come on Monday to support her as she went to each of the teacher’s classes to tell her students about her death, as well as to be there to support any staff that wished to talk. At the end of the day, she asked if I would come back on Wednesday when she had a scheduled staff meeting, to support her as she spoke to them about what the teacher meant to the school.
At the staff meeting, when the principle introduced me, she said I was her right-hand support person who was always there for her when she needed emotional support, and shared about my previous visits to the school. She was very emotional telling them about this. I was overwhelmed! I did almost nothing! Yet, just from a few visits, she knew I could be called upon. God is so faithful to answer our prayers, that He will love others through us in ways we could never make happen.
I am in awe of how God takes our tiny little and multiplies it! I share this giving all glory to God! I did so little!! This spurs me on to continue as a chaplain for the school district.
Serving the Community - Alan Meyer
As Fire Chaplains, one of the duties we are called to perform is ministering to people who have dialed 911 and have lost a loved one. These calls are always heart-wrenching, but sometimes the families are completely overwhelmed. That afternoon, the call was for a young man who had committed suicide with his father’s gun. The father was a TSA agent and kept it locked away, but the son was a smart 20-year-old who found out where the key was hidden. He had been a troubled young man who was bullied to the point that his parents moved to a new city to find a place for him to start over.
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That day, his father had gone to work and the son and mother were home. He had given away much of his clothing, so he asked his mother to go and purchase some new clothes for him. While she was gone, he retrieved the gun and shot himself. When the mother returned, she found her son and a horrific scene in her home. Fire and police were both dispatched and as I arrived the coroner had been called. The mother looked at me and asked “How could this happen?” “What did we do wrong?”, “Why would he do this?”. I took her hand and looked into her weeping eyes and just said “I am so sorry”. We walked over and sat down on the couch and when she was able to stop crying for a moment, she began to tell me about the events of the day. She shared them several times, trying to find answers, but failing to believe the events that had occurred in such a short time on an ordinary day.
We talked about her son’s recent past and the struggles that he had and she assured me that things were getting better, not worse, how could this happen? A call had been made to the father and he came home as quickly as possible. When he came through the door his eyes were red and wet; already grieving on the way home, anticipating what he would find.
They both began apologizing to each other, that it was their fault, she should not have left him at home alone; he should have removed the gun from the home completely. Then there was crying. I wrapped my arm around them and tried to calm them. They looked at me and became somewhat ashamed, not because I was a chaplain, but because of whom I represented. We talked about their son, the pride they had in him, the difficulties that he had, and how all of his problems were solvable. Then we cried together.
We sat on the couch for quite a while silently, then the father turned to me and asked “What will happen next?” I explained the next set of events that would occur with police, and the coroner. Then I began asking about family and friends. I asked, “Do you have some other place you can go?” “Do you have friends or family near?” The one room in the otherwise pristine house was a mess. They couldn’t stay there until that was cleaned up.
The coroner arrived, did what they needed to do and finally left. It was then the father turned to me, buried his face in my chest, and said, “I don’t know what to do!”. I reassured him that he would be strong for the rest of his family. They would reflect on the gift of 20 years that God had given them with their son.
Two days later the father called and I went to see them. I prayed over their house and asked for the Lord’s comfort and peace while they grieved the loss of their beloved son.
They could have made it through that day without me, but I believe that God led me to help them through this difficult time and strengthen their faith. Even in times when we do not have near enough answers God gives us strength and comfort to get through to the next day. When I left, they thanked me for being with them through this very difficult time. I went away with the comfort of knowing that God had used me to show His love and comfort to this family.
Serving People and God - Chaplain Craig Davis
“My family and I are leaving for the night Chaplain, but we plan to be back again in the morning. Would you sit with my son for a while so that he’s not alone?” “Of course,” I said, “it would be an honor to sit with Jimmy, (not his real name). Try and get some rest tonight, it’s been a long day for everyone.”
As I watched the last of the family disappear into the parking lot, I turned to walk back inside the hospital, a Level-1 Trauma Center.
Read more
Waiting for the elevator to whisk me upstairs my mind drifted back to the newspaper article I’d read earlier that morning about a senseless tragedy that happened the night before. Jimmy, a 19-year-old man had taken his girlfriend to see a late-night showing of a current movie. Since Monday nights tend to be rather slow for movie houses it was no surprise to see only six-people in the theater. Aside from Jimmy and his date, there were four other young men in their late teens, sitting in the last row of seats, just under the projectionist’s window. At some point during the movie one of the four men opened a brown lunch sack he’d brought with him and pulled out a 9mm pistol. Silently creeping up behind the couple he fired a round into each of the couple’s heads. The four men rushed out, disappearing into the night. The responding Paramedic’s would later report the young woman had died instantly, while Jimmy was still alive, but barely so.
Once the elevator door opened, I quickly walked down a short hallway and into the Intensive Care Unit. The lights in Jimmy’s room had been dimmed and the only other person present was his nurse. As I entered both our eyes locked, no words were necessary. The only noise in the room was the ventilator, supplying life-giving air into Jimmy’s lungs.
As the nurse attended to her duties, I stood at the head of the bed and softly began to speak to him. (Medical researchers report that hearing is one the last senses to go after an injury such as this and that the patient may very well be able to hear what’s being said to them). I told Jimmy that many a prayer had gone up on his behalf and that his entire family were pulling for him. Although unresponsive, I told him I was sorry he had to be a part of this senseless tragedy. That we live in a broken world and this was one of the consequences. I also explained that this might be a good time for him to make peace with God, if he hadn’t done so already. That God loves him and His plan of salvation is simple. Scripture says if you confess your sins with your mouth and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. If you do that Jimmy, then you will live together with the Lord for all eternity. After that I prayed over him and then turned to leave. As I did, I realized the nurse was still in the room standing at the foot of the bed. She’d been listening all along and the faint light in the room glistened off the tears on her cheeks. “Thank you” she said as I left.
Jimmy expired four-days later.
* * *
It was late now as I made my way back to the car and headed for home. For some unknown reason I began reflecting back on how I ended up becoming a chaplain some six years earlier. Retirement had been looming on the horizon and I began to contemplate what the next chapter in my life might hold. Having been a believer for the better part of my adult life I simply could not justify sitting idle at home rocking-away my final years doing absolutely nothing. Besides, the word “retirement” is nowhere to be found in the Bible, so I began searching for something purposeful to do as a new retiree. I knew I had a strong desire to make a difference in people’s lives and to demonstrate the love of God beyond the normal church setting. I could feel a calling deep within my soul, but just couldn’t put my finger on it.
At about the same time a friend who’d retired a couple years prior had become a chaplain and was working with the local fire department. That intrigued me greatly and I began seeking the Lord about entering into chaplaincy as well, all I needed was confirmation. Then, one day during morning devotions I happened to come across a scripture, (Numbers 16:48). I read where the Lord had become angry with the Israelites over something they’d done and threatened to destroy them all with a plague. Upon hearing this, Moses had his brother Aaron quickly place incense and coals from the Lord’s alter in a sensor and wave it between “the living and the dead” and the people were spared. As I read this those four-words jumped out at me. It was as if a lightbulb had switched-on inside my head. It was the confirmation I’d been seeking and I knew right then that I would become a chaplain and serve among the “living and the dead”.
