By Eric Glassey
13th Public Affairs Detachment
Camp Victory parishioners gathered at Hope Chapel Nov. 16 to witness a time-honored ceremony known as the "changing of the stole," in which Chaplain Raynard Allen, joint operations center chaplain, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, received the stole from Chaplain Warren Watties, joint operations center chaplain, MNC-I.
The "changing of the stole" ceremony draws from when Elijah took up the mantle which felled from Elisha as he was taken up into heaven by a chariot of fire. This mantle identified him as the new prophetic voice for Israel.
"Today, the mantle has been replaced by a stole and we see the stole as both the sign of spiritual authority and the sign of God's presence," said Chaplain Pat Hash, command chaplain, MNC-I, who presided over the ceremony. "Chaplain Allen, as you accept the stole, remember that the task is made easier when done in the Lord's name and for His everlasting glory – as you wear the stole – wear it as a symbol of your voluntary submission to the will of God and your role as servant-leader."
As the sole was placed on Allen, so was the responsibly of taking care of the people in his ministry. Allen has spent 21 years in the ministry and has been the pastor of churches in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Kentucky. He has earned his Bachelor's Degree in Theology from Oakwood University, Huntsville, Ala., and his Masters of Divinity degree from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich.
"Chaplain Allen is well equipped and talented," Watties said. "He has been a missionary and an evangelist. The people will enjoy his ministry. The sad part about me leaving is that I won't be able to see them grow. The good part about me leaving is that he, Chaplain Allen, has some gifts that I don't have. He is going to take the people to another level of faith. He is going to take the ministry to another level. I'm just excited about what God's going to do through him for the people."
"Ministry is enhanced when the people allow the spiritual leaders the freedom to do ministry. Chaplain Watties shared with me that he never felt his hands were tied when it came to the freedom to do ministry," Hash said. "Thank you for allowing him to proclaim the great news of God. As Chaplain Allen begins his ministry, allow him the opportunity to experience those same freedoms and hold him up as he is lead by God to experience life with you during his time here."
Allen will be serving as the pastor of Victory Gospel Experience for the next six months he serves as the joint operations center chaplain at MNC-I.
"So as Chaplain Allen receives the stole commit yourselves to establishing a relationship with him. Help Chaplain Allen to equip you for the task ahead, and allow Chaplain Allen the freedom to do ministry as he is led by God and God will indeed bless you and this congregation."
| Date Taken: | 11.16.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2008 04:16 |
| Story ID: | 26815 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 550 |
| Downloads: | 271 |
This work, Change of Stole ceremony solidifies commitments, by SGT Eric Glassey, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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