Texas Prayer Request

It was a typical Christmas Eve 2012. Children breathlessly awaiting the excitement of Christmas morning; families preparing gifts for the Christmas Tree; feasts cooking for incoming family and friends... and, as expected, families anticipating the Christmas Eve services to be held all over Houston, Texas. Then, once again, shots rang out and heaven welcomed two more precious souls...as people all over the Southwest were instantly thrust into the painful tempest of grief.
Bellaire, Texas is a small suburb within Houston. Cpl Jimmie Norman, a 53 year old veteran of the Bellaire Police force, was giving chase to 21 year old Harlem Harold Lewis. Without notice, Lewis quickly pulled his vehicle into the parking lot of a local business with Officer Norman right behind. Lewis immediately jumped from his car firing ten rounds before Officer Norman could draw his weapon. Officer Norman died instantly.

A retired Army veteran, Terry Taylor, heard the gunfire and approached Cpl Norman to give aid. That's when Lewis delivered a point-blank shot to the head of Taylor, killing him instantly. The carnage unleashed this Christmas Eve forced not only the Norman and Taylor families into the cold waters of the Grief Reaction, it reawakened the truth that we are all vulnerable to the killing whims of a deranged person dedicated to murder. The memories of this event will be reviewed time and again by the families desperately searching for answers to the "Why's." And, each year as Christmas Eve approaches, many will remember this senseless event and relive the emotions again feeling almost the same intensity as they felt this Christmas Eve.

Because the Bellaire Police Department didn't have a Chaplain, IFOC Sr. Chaplain Dr. Keith Robinson, Houston Regional Community Chaplain Corps Commander, began serving the officers and mourners who gathered before the Bellaire Police Department Headquarters. On Christmas Day Chaplain Robinson again comforted officers at 5 different police stations, fire stations and yet another set of mourners who had come to pay tearful respects at the makeshift memorial in front of the Bellaire Police Station, even amidst a soaking rain shower. It was almost as if God was crying right along side the other mourners.

Chaplain Robinson sought out members of the television and radio media who were gathered on Christmas Eve to report on this tragedy. This visit opened the door for a discussion with groups media professionals about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how it can target members of the media because of their frequent and intense exposure to violence, carnage and bloodshed from traumatic incidents which are favorites as lead news stories. "If it bleeds...it leads" reflects the industry draw to traumatic events. Three media professionals asked if they could meet later to discuss PTSD symptoms they were experiencing but could not address to their employer for fear of termination. One station has asked for Chaplain Robinson to host a week-long, TV News special focusing on human reactions to traumatic events.

As chaplains we have many opportunities to help the children of God when they face painful, traumatic events in their lives. Out of this tragedy will come not only an opportunity for our Corps Chaplains to serve a traumatized family but also the officers who worked with Officer Norman every day. Contact will be made with the family of the innocent bystander who died attempting to help Officer Norman. Additionally, this incident appears to have opened a doorway through the media to reach out with love to an entire population of Houston. Through this news special God has given me an opportunity to introduce the role of chaplaincy in trauma response.

Right now many in the media and in our government are focusing on the 'weapon' used in recent killings rather than 'the heart of the killer.' I will attempt to keep this special focused on 'the heart that would use any weapon.' My goal is to focus on helping the public understand more of the emotional/physical reactions people may be experiencing as they deal with the grief of yet another sensless loss of two important lives...a brave and honorable citizen, Mr. Terry Taylor and a dedicated Police Officer...Cpl Jimmie Norman. Please keep all of these families in your prayers. I am always open to your thoughts, ideas and prayers.

Sincerely,

Sr. Chaplain Dr. Keith Robinson
Corps Commander, Houston Regional Community Chaplain Corps
Dr. Keith Robinson

December 2012 Newsletter

THE IFOC “CHAPLAINS CALLING”
DECEMBER, 2012 VOLUME 3, ISSUE 3

July 2012 Newsletter

THE IFOC “CHAPLAINS CALLING”


JULY, 2012 - VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2
 
Read it Here!

Sr. Chaplain Les Palmer’s Celebration of Life:

On Thursday, April 26th, several members of the IFOC Board of Directors had the distinguished honor of attending the final celebration of Sr. Chaplain Lt. Col. Les Palmer. Sr. Chaplain Palmer was given a Fire Fighters Last Alarm tribute to his home church Calvary of Albuquerque. His remains were transported in a special Fire Truck used specifically for Fire Fighters and their family members last ride to their final resting place.

His wife Sr. Chaplain Debbie Palmer and children had the privilege of riding along with him for this, his last ride. The procession snaked through Albuquerque from the far west side fire house #27 to the church escorted by Albuquerque’s Fire Department Chaplains, members of the Albuquerque Police Chaplains Corps and four IFOC Board members.

The procession wound its way through Albuquerque with a full police escort, lights and sirens all the way. Upon arrival at the church, an honor guard consisting of uniformed Chaplains from the Albuquerque Regional Community Chaplain Corps met the procession. The honor guard consisted of two columns of Chaplains from the parking lot to the church entry. The procession was led into the church by two bagpipers.

At the front of the sanctuary was a very elaborate pictorial depiction of Sr. Chaplain Palmer’s life, his many certifications including his IFOC credentials. The eulogies spoke of a very godly man, who’s life focused around Jesus Christ, and how he gave his everything to the help of others. The sanctuary was packed with family, friends, Chaplains and members of the community.

Sr. Chaplain Palmer was truly a humble towel-bearing servant of God, who loved helping others. He was a Chaplain’s Chaplain who never would take tribute for all he has accomplished. He was always passing off the glory to God, and to the fine work of the members of his Chaplain Corps.

After the service, the family of Calvary Church, where he served as a staff pastor, held a celebration meal. At the meal, they had several mounted photos of Les that everyone was able to write a tribute on. In reading some of the many tributes, they all spoke of a man who changed lives, and mentored many in their walk with the Lord.

Although Sr. Chaplain Palmer has gone home to be with God, his legacy will live on forever in the many hearts he has touched along the way. He will be greatly missed by all, but through all of his Corps, his work will continue on. Rest in peace dear, dear friend, and we will see you again one day.

MEMORIAL SERVICES SCHEDULED FOR SENIOR CHAPLAIN LES PALMER

A Great leader and servant has left us a legacy.

Chaplain Les, one of our lead Master trainers, served on the IFOC Board of Directors  as well as on his church staff as a pastor and was the Corps Commander in Albuquerque. He was instrumental in training and directing a large number of Chaplains to operate and serve in the community reaching out to many, and eventually stretched out to serve several other parts of the state, nation and world.

After working as a disaster Chaplain world wide, and serving with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Teams, He was instrumental in establishing an IFOC disaster on-call corps nationwide.

Chaplain Les has left us a great legacy, and we will tremendously miss him.

Please pray for his family and those who served with him.

A Memorial Service for Pastor Chaplain Les Palmer will be conducted in the Sanctuary of:

Calvary of Albuquerque
4001 Osuna Rd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
505.344.0880

Thursday April 26th 2012, 10:00am

Following the Memorial Service, we will continue to celebrate Les’ life in the HUB with a reception.

His family has requested that in lieu of flowers that donations be made in the name of International Fellowship of Chaplains, (IFOC), or Albuquerque Regional Community Chaplains Corps, (ARCCC).