Hurricane Gustav Thank You

Dear Chaplain Robertson,

In the early morning hours of September 1, 2008, Hurricane Gustav began to make its way onto the coast of Louisiana. By the time it passed two days later our area had sustained serious damage from Gustav's winds and rain. Most areas were out of power and many of our residents were unable to remain in their homes due to trees crashing through their roofs.

Within days the National Guard arrived with much needed water, food and other necessary supplies. By this time the officers of my department had worked around the clock clearing roadways, working intersections and protecting lives and property. Needless to say they were very tired. The word that a major distribution point was going to be located in our city was welcomed news and somewhat discouraging at the same time since the opportunity for officers to have a few hours of down time was now a thing of the past.

Although the National Guard troops performed a tremendous service by bringing in the supplies and assisting with the distribution, there were not enough of them to carry on those duties throughout the hot and humid Louisiana summer days.

When it appeared that having enough personnel to service the hundreds of people who were seeking basic supplies was going to be a major issue, a contingent of International Fellowship of Chaplains, who had already been working with our patrol officers, shows up. These chaplains rolled up their sleeves, picked up the supplies and began distributing the many, many cases of water, M.R.E.'s, ice and tarps. They worked hours upon hours serving the needs of the truly needy.

These chaplains were a blessing to me, my department and the many they helped. I honestly don't know what we would have done without them. There is no way to thank chaplains Terry Duncan, Chaplain Red, Tara Dorroh, Chaplain Chuck, Denese Ganley and Darrell Robertson. I know that their reward awaits them in heaven.

Being a minister and spreading God's word can take many forms. To me, the most effective ministry is when Christians care for one another, and especially care for those who don't know Christ. It was a lesson Jesus clearly taught us through his life and death on the cross. I.F.O.C.'s chaplains brought that lesson to Denham Springs, Louisiana, and they will always be remembered for it.


May God richly bless and keep each of you.

Jeff Wesley
Chief of Police
Denham Springs Police Department

Hurricane Thanks

This e-mail is primarily to acknowledge the service of the WC3/IFOC chaplains that served at the Houston Police Fondren Division during Hurricane Ike recovery operations. There are others whom I owe a debt of gratitude to but their efforts in their venue will be acknowledge in another correspondence.

Thanks goes out to all IFOC chaplains who served during the Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike recovery efforts. I know for a fact that more letters like this are being drafted as we speak. The IFOC has made an impact for a great good in Louisiana and Texas. My police department and specifically my division, was on the receiving end of the servitude of three WC3/IFOC chaplains when I had to return to duty as a first responder at the HPD Fondren Division. Those chaplains have since gone back home to Washington State but I remain behind in Houston to tell you that their service is still spoken of in the hallways and roll call rooms by the officers of the Houston Police Fondren Division (aka: Fallujah Division). They remain appreciative.

I want to also acknowledge a few members of the Houston PACT (Police And Clergy Team) led by Dr. Keith Robinson, Paul Giddens and Hans Kolb. They performed a service of love to the Houston Police Fondren Division that will never be forgotten. Dr Robinson, Paul Giddens, Hans Kolb and two other PACT members whom I owe an apology to for not remembering their names, became the heros of heros. They also provided valuable direction and leadership for the IFOC chaplains. Dr Robinson, Paul Giddens and Hans Kolb are due to attend IFOC Basic Chaplains Training here in Houston October 13-17 and join us. They will be a monumental force and huge asset to the IFOC but especially to those they are bound to serve.

My deepest gratitude,

Darrell L. Robertson
Houston PD Blue

Senior Chaplain
Int'l Fellowship Of Chaplains, Inc.
http://www.ifoc.org/

Christian Law Enforcement Summit
http://www.clesummit.org/

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1

Thirty Four Years!

I turned 50 years old on July 29th, 2008. I also retired from 25 years of service with the City of Troy Volunteer Fire Department in Michigan. To help commemorate the double occasion, my daughter Michelle had the attached photo taken. Joshua Michael Coppock, my grandson has all of his photos done by a local Kiddie Kandids photo studio here, and they decided to enter this photo into a national photo contest with a prize of an all expense paid trip for 4 to Disney World. The contest consisted of three separate photo categories, Infant’s and toddlers up to 2 years of age, Children and Teens, and then family and group photos. Unfortunately, our photo did not make the finals. However, I have the greatest prize of ever, my best friend and grandson, Joshua.

This year also marks my 34th year as serving the community has an emergency responder. Needles to say, when my kids were growing up, I had missed quite a few significant events in there lives because of the call to duty. God has granted me a second chance, with my grandchildren now, and I can’t thank him enough for the new lease on life.

Chaplain Ken

IFOC Chaplains - Hurricane Gustav

IFOC chaplain team-Darrell, Red, Terry, Tara, Denise, Chuck












Fire Chief of Denham Springs, Tara and fire fighter












IFOC Chaplains helping the national Guard and DS PD with food distribution.

IFOC Chaplain Army Of Love

PTSD Video by IFOC Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos

Uniform Ordering Information

Dear I.F.O.C. Membership,

In our effort to professionally standardize our I.F.O.C. chaplain’s appearance when performing chaplain duties with the organizations and individuals we work with, we have designed a complete new uniform line. After months of great anticipation, we have posted the new uniform ordering system. We have negotiated with Quartermaster Uniforms to be our exclusive supplier for all I.F.O.C. products. We will be adding more products as the weeks go by so if you have any specific needs, wants, or suggestions, please email me.

Quartermaster has done an excellent job of helping us configure our uniform line as well as design changes. Their products are of superior quality and the pricing is excellent.

You will be able to access the official I.F.O.C. product line by clicking on the IFOC logo on our home page or on the home page of Quartermaster. Your order can be made directly with them, pay buy any major credit card and have it shipped direct to your home.

The ordering instructions are all there. Make sure you register your information and then as you check out enter IFOC in the Special Offer Code box on the online order form to ensure that IFOC International receives credit for your order. Quartermaster has offered to give a donation of each order back to support IFOC. As you can see, their heart is to be a part of helping us help others. Let’s help support them as much as we can. Spread the word to all chaplains to go to the site and start ordering their uniform parts.

You may not be sure as to what to order and how specific patches or pieces go together. This can be a challenge to those who have never worn a uniform. I have started to construct a uniform manual and it is posted on the forum. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. I’m sure I have not covered all you may need so I will answer your questions on line and add it the manual as needed.

We will be making the site pages accessible to only IFOC membership very soon. This is to ensure the uniform is only worn by IFOC chaplains and only while performing chaplaincy duties. You will need an access code that will be on the forum site so make sure your forum access information is correct. Please feel free to contact me at chaplainmindyAT gmail dot com

Blessings,

Major Mindy Albright

Calling All Chaplains!

Have you seen the new IFOC website? It's beautiful. IFOC is really on the move. Actually as I write this, the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers" comes to mind. God has really blessed this organization and another improvement on the way is an IFOC Newsletter.

The purpose of a regular publication is to keep chaplains, now spread coast to coast, in close communication with one another. It's better said in Hebrews 10:24, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

Do you think Major Eichorst in Jemez Springs, New Mexico might be encouraged to read about Major Trevithick's progress with the Corps in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska? Wouldn't it be nice to hand a prospective chaplain an article on the latest training in Michigan and then tell him or her that superior training just like it is coming to their town?

IFOC has an undeclared motto. Ready? It's this: HOW CAN I SERVE? It's really what our Lord longs to hear from us every day, isn't it? Well here is another chance for you. Send us your news. Below are some brain-starters. I bet your ideas are flowing already. Don't wait. The first newsletter is already in the works. Oh, and please send this email on to other chaplains you know. The email list may not have included everyone yet. Thank you so much.

May the God of compassion move in your hearts and be seen in your ministry today,

Chaplain Barbie Warren
Washington Community Chaplain Corps
Submit articles and ideas to waccc at comcast dot net

WC3/IFOC
PMB # 226
15127 Main Street E, Ste 104
Sumner, WA 98390

NEWSLETTER BRAIN STARTERS

Write a short story about a recent community service you performed as a chaplain or as a Corps?

What can CERT and CISM do for your region?

Share a personal testimony to training you've received.

Write a thank you to your trainers.

Do you have a question for the IFOC Staff that isn't already answered on the website?

Share how you became affiliated with IFOC.

Submit an original devotional that would encourage fellow chaplains.

Photos are most welcome too. JPEG format is best.

**All submissions will be subject to the final approval of IFOC, Inc.**