The American Bible Society’s Armed Services Ministry working in a unique partnership with Gallup Faith Practice, developed Engage Your Strengths.™   This resource blends Gallup’s StrengthsFinder™ assessment and coaching with biblical foundations and extended Scripture engagement. As men and women refine and practice their strengths they will be equipped to consistently achieve excellence and maximize their God-given talents.

The online assessment is known as the Clifton StrengthsFinder™ instrument. It measures the presence of talents in 34 categories called themes.

10,000 US Military Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants [Navy = Religious Program Specialist] will receive this incredible tool over the next 18 months.  There is an expectation and anticipation that the ethos and culture of the Corps will be transformed while becoming a catalyst to impact the military & nation!

I had the privilege of architecting and writing  Section 2 – Strengths & Scripture Engagement.  Can’t wait to see its impact!

“Malcolm Gladwell made that phrase more popular than ever. His writings offer insight for every leader desiring to lead something that is moving slightly beyond their reach and that is definitely out of their control. Isn’t that the essence of movement, though? And who wants to lead something that they themselves can control?”

“It is somewhat trendy to hear church leaders make statements about wanting to start a movement. “Starting a movement” seems to be a paradox in and of itself. If I can start a movement, that therefore implies that I had something to do with its inception as well as its continuation. That contradicts the very ideal of what a movement is. Something I “manage” would be something I initiate and maintain. A movement is much more. It takes more than my manipulation to begin it, and it is beyond my ability to continue it, simply because to be classified as a movement would require so many elements beyond my control.”

A while back I highlighted the work of Alan Hirsch and his work the Forgotten Ways which looks at the five elements that are necessary for movements to experience exponential growth. The five ways are [1] Disciple Making [2] Missional-Incarnational Impulse [3] Apostolic Environments [4] Organic Systems [5] Communitas.

At The Re-Ignition Project we are taking a hard look at these implications.  We believe it is essential to continue to be on the front end of the movement that is swelling up from throughout our nation – a movement that seeks to Honor, Transition, & Impact our US Military and Veterans. We encourage you to check out the News & Events pages at The Re-Ignition Project and see how this movement continues to grow.

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments.  He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.  One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist, and a member of the ACLU.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came in.  He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, GOD if you are real then I want you to knock me off this platform.  I’ll give you exactly 15 minutes.  The lecture room fell silent.  You could hear a pin drop.  Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, Here I am GOD, I’m still waiting.

It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently.

The other students were shocked and stunned, and sat there looking on in silence.  The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, What in the world is the matter with you?  Why did you do that? The Marine calmly replied, GOD was busy today protecting America’s soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot.  So He sent me.

The classroom erupted in cheers!

After my time with the Navy & Marines – I had a day to recalibrate at Shady Canyon – the home of Don & JoAnn Farrar. Outside my cabana is a quiet pool for me to read [A Quiet Reality] & reflect & pray . . .

Flying out of California I flew over my uncle’s place in Palos Verdes Estates . . .

A Quiet Reality is a heartwarming and hopeful story that invites you to join Chaplain Marrero in this exciting journey through Iraq as he ministered to U.S. Marines. Join him through an exhilarating tactical convoy during his first night in Iraq, through the painful ministry to the wounded and dead. Reflect with him as he ponders on this quest as a man in uniform and a pastor. Walk with him through the ancient ruins of Nebuchadnezzar’s Palace in Babil and join him on an exciting quest to open biblical history to his Marines while he seeks to care for the Iraqis around him. A Quiet Reality is a hopeful commentary on a selfless quest to be true to ones faith and one’s calling in the most trying of times. A wonderful Chrisitan inspirational story that provides deep insight into how Americans and Iraqis touched one another.

“Chaplain Emilio Marrero has written a brilliant and moving account of his experiences in the Iraq War. It is a side of war we rarely know. His personal and passionate story is wonderfully told and a must read for those who want to understand a side of combat seldom described.”–General Anthony C. Zinni USMC (Retired)

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING READS I HAVE HAD IN A LONG TIME! jec

I visited Naval Surface Force Command on Coronado NAB CAPTAIN Emilio Marero the Force Chaplain, COMNAVSURFOR.  We had so many connections in common and I’m extremely excited about working with him in the future!

Chaplain Marrero is from the South Bronx in New York City. He is a 1982 graduate of Eastern College, St. David, Pennsylvania.  He received his Masters of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1985 and completed his Doctor of Ministry in Religious Education from Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California in 2000.

Chaplain Marrero enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves in January 1980 by way of Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot, SC. He served as a young Marine in the reserves for almost three years until he completed undergraduate studies when he was transferred from the United States Marine Corps to the U.S. Navy’s Theological Student Program as an Ensign. While serving in the reserves he was pastor for the First Hispanic Baptist Church of New Brunswick, New Jersey and as Assistant Director, The Open Door Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Center, New Brunswick, NJ.

Marrero is from the South Bronx in New York City. He is a 1982 graduate of Eastern College, St. David, Pennsylvania.  He received his Masters of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1985 and completed his Doctor of Ministry in Religious Education from Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California in 2000.

I went to see Dick Millspaugh, one of the authors of the God Understands series [addressing the 8 Spiritual Injury Scale] at the San Diego VA Center.  Dick took the time to talk to me about the writing process for the series, how it is being utilized to impact veterans and their families, and the potential of it being reformatted for active duty military.

The Center was beautiful and noticeably clean & bright! The Center had amazing artwork and murals throughout that made it welcoming.  I have included my favorite painting [above].  Also here are a couple of murals that lined the hallways . . .

We had an amazing visit and he patiently filled me in the nuances of the Navy Chaplain Corps

I spent 30 minutes Back Briefing him on my meetings at the offices of the Navy CCH.  I asked his insights on the our collaborative efforts in meeting the needs of Sailors/Marines & their families.

Chaplain Elson briefed me on the Tone of the Force [Primary Pressing Needs of Sailors & Marines that are being addressed by Navy Chaplains]:

1. IAs & Family Support
2. Motorcycles Situation
3. Sexual Assault
4. Domestic Violence
5. Suicide

Rabbi Irving Elson was born in Mexico City, Mexico, in 1960. He was educated at Yeshiva University in New York, and earned his AA and BA in 1982, majoring in Psychology and Jewish Studies. He entered a Masters program at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York, and was awarded an MA in Hebrew Literature in 1984. During this time, he also spent a year of postgraduate study at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem from 1983-1984. The Jewish Theological Seminary of America ordained him as rabbi in 1987. For the last 18 years he has served as Jewish Chaplain in the United States Navy at duty stations in the US and overseas.

Had the opportunity to reconnect with COL Mike McKay [my retired Army hero} . . . also interesting to see the legacy we started at PAC with the Next Generation continues today . . .

The American Bible Society is helping service members, civilian workers and their families at Fort Hood deal with the aftermath of the recent tragic shootings.

It has been nearly two weeks since Major Nidal Hassan opened fire on his fellow colleagues in a rampage on the base that claimed 14 lives, including an unborn child.

Since then, the American Bible Society, through its Armed Services Ministry, has been ministering at Fort Hood.

Dr. John Edgar Caterson of the ministry says there are a number of needs that are being met.

“We provide resources that they’re able to utilize that address the issues and needs that they’re facing at times just like this,” he explains. “There are resources that we’ve been developing with the Army Chaplain Corps in collaboration that address things like spiritual injury scale and how to overcome when you’re dealing with situations of trauma.”

The Armed Services Ministry has delivered nearly 60 million free Bible resources to America’s armed forces since its formation in 1817.