Dr. Bruce Francis Ph.D.
             President of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries Oklahoma

John 15:16-17 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you that ye love one another.”

Chaplain Fellowship Ministries is a ministry of presence dedicated to serving and fulfilling the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ. A major part of the chaplain’s role in any crisis is “presence”, but the chaplain is never alone doing God’s work. God is always present with the chaplain. This presence empowers the chaplain to provide effective, appropriate spiritual support within the context of the crisis.

It is a compassionate God that choose to be “God with us” and it is the chaplain represents the presence of God in the aftermath of a disaster or crisis. If one looks at the so-called “heroes of faith” they all have one thing in common. They are just ordinary people with the mighty presence of God in their ministries.

A chaplain demonstrates this presence by being present in the suffering. Many experts call the ministry of a chaplain the “ministry of listening and feeling.” The chaplain uses prayer, the spoken word, the Holy Scriptures, service, and listening what a victim has to say in this demonstration. A victim needs to tell their story, vent their anger, and validate their feelings to begin the healing process. Practicing the presence of God requires acts of service.

Matthew 25:35-40 “For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, an ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me: Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? Or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” - If a chaplain is able to follow these scriptures and others they are in the process of doing the Lord’s work.

Today there is a tremendous amount of tension in balancing our convictions and cultural acceptance. With the deteriorating influence of the church in our society, this tension rises for chaplains of deep faith and convictions. Even though we live in a multicultural society the chaplain must not hesitate to demonstrate compassion by ministry action. They must look at the need for compassion and not be affected by race, gender, religion, or economic status. Their actions must exhibit compassion and God’s love for all people.

When Jesus prayed in the upper room before his crucifixion. He did not say to God, our heavenly Father, “I have finished the work.” He said, “I have finished the work You gave me to do.” And that is significant. When Christ left this world, he had not cured all the sick, healed all the lame and fed all the hungry. Many lame still limped, many blind still could not see, many deaf still could not hear and many hungry were still un-fed. We won’t be able to accomplish or complete everything that needs to be done. But, then, God does not expect us to.

The most important work, task or duty we have to do in life is to live each day as fully as we are able and to manifest God’s Divine glory, will and purpose in our body in every moment of time we experience and every place we travel in our earthly journey.

A prayer for WISDOM AND GUIDANCE: Heavenly Father, you say if we lack knowledge, we can ask and you will give it to us freely. I ask for your wisdom and guidance in my life. I ask that you would reveal your will to me and help me to hear your voice in all things. Thank you for ordering my steps and making them sure, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

A prayer for fear: Heavenly Father, thank you that you have not given me a spirit of fear, but of love and power and a sound mind. My Father, I know that fear is not from you. You are the author of peace. I ask you to fill me with your peace. I resist all fear in the name of Jesus. Thank you that I have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

May God bless you always!
Dr. Bruce E. Francis

Chaplain Fellowship Ministries of Oklahoma is an official Affiliate Subordinate ministry of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International Inc., operating under the authority and supervision of the board of directors of CFMI. Chaplain Fellowship Ministries of Oklahoma is covered under Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International's 501 (c) 3 IRS Group Tax Exemption as a public Charity. In compliance with IRS rules and regulations we have posted the required documentation for public inspection. http://www.chaplain-ministries.com/501c3.html. ©COPYRIGHT 1996-2011Chaplain Fellowship Ministries of Oklahoma.