Chaplains Ministries

"The Untold Story of the Gulf War"

by Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel, Hugh H. Morgan,
U.S. Air Force Retired
Director of Chaplains Ministries
Endorsing Agent for the IPHC

In every war ever fought in history, there have been spiritual leaders who brought God’s message to the men in battle. Elisha, the Prophet, is one such leader. Today, we might call him a chaplain. He had an ear tuned to heaven and could hear the faintest whisper of God. He knew about the strategies and tactics of the Syrian army that had laid ambushes to destroy the Israeli army. God used Elisha to save the lives of these special forces repeatedly by revealing the enemy’s plans.

We need those kind of dedicated men today in our military forces whom God has called in ever age. "Bringing God to men, and men to God" has been the theme of the Chaplaincy for many years. Our chaplains stand before commanders as well as the rank and file members of the armed forces today with the Gospel message.

An outstanding illustration of the role and ministry of the chaplain comes to us from the Gulf War eight years ago. General Ronald Griffith, former Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and the commander of the U. S. 1st Armored Division in the Gulf War tells his amazing story regarding his unique relationship with his chaplain, Danny Davis, and the influence of prayer and God’s intervention in that historic war.

Although our military forces that fought in Desert Storm were the best trained and equipped of all armies that have ever fought, General Norman Schwarzkopf and our generals feared that there would be mass casualties and thousands of wounded men.

After a long extended staff meeting held by General Griffith in the desert prior to the invasion of Iraq, Chaplain Danny Davis approached the general and asked for a private meeting with him. Chaplain Davis asked, "General Griffith, what’s bothering you, sir? Would you like to tell me about it?" The general told him about his great concern for the men. The thoughts of having to send his men home in body bags to their moms and dads, wives and sweethearts, and brothers and sisters tormented him day and night.

Chaplain Davis said to the General, "Sir, I have been talking with God. He has told me that the battle will not be long and drawn out. It will last only a matter of hours. You will not suffer mass casualties and injured men. The battle is not yours, but the Lord’s. Go to bed . . . get a good night of rest . . . be a peace."

General Griffith said, "I sensed that God Himself had spoken to me through my chaplain. I went to my tent, got into my bunk, fell asleep immediately, and slept soundly for about four hours.

What was the result? The war lasted only a matter of hours. There were only four casualties and fifty-seven men wounded in the division. He continued, "I want to give God all the glory, and thank Him for giving me a chaplain, a man of God, who hears from heaven."

We, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, have presently twenty-seven chaplains serving either on active duty or in the guard and reserves. They are a great pastoral, prophetic, evangelistic, and missionary force that is making a difference in our military.

We need to support them with our prayers, letters, cards, and financial gifts through Chaplains Ministries.

Every church in our denomination can adopt a chaplain. Pastors can ask their people to pray regularly for their chaplain or chaplains. We will furnish each church with a picture of the chaplain and his family, a bio sketch of him, and regular updates of his ministry and needs. In addition, we are asking that each church consider making an annual gift of $100 or more to Chaplains Ministries.

We also desire to organize a Chaplains Ministries Corps of scores of individuals who will support our chaplains by their prayers and annual contribution of $100 or more to Chaplains Ministries. In return, we will provide members with a picture of the chaplains and his family, regular updates, and a lapel pin, coin, or paperweight with our logo on it for those who join.

These financial contributions will help fund annual retreats or advances for our chaplains and their spouses, current books and other valuable literature our chaplains need in their ministry. In addition, our goal is to provide financial resources for the Director of Chaplains Ministries as he serves as pastor to chaplains, as a recruiter of new chaplains, his liaison with the Chiefs of Chaplains, as well as his visits to our chaplains wherever they serve in the world.

The door of opportunity is wide open for us to place qualified chaplains in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. We also endorse Civil Air Patrol and VA hospital chaplains. It is our goal to enlarge that circle of endorsements to include CPE supervisors, hospital, hospice, industrial, law enforcement, and prison chaplains.

For further information, you may call me at (770) 725-1757, contact me by e-mail: hughholmesmorgan@aol.com, or write me at 17 Sweet Apple Lane, Winder, GA 30680, regarding requirements for chaplains, as well as free brochures and literature about the Chaplaincy.

©IPHC Ministries, 1998