First BGCT-endorsed Army chaplains complete officers’ school with honors_50304

Posted: 5/03/04

First BGCT-endorsed Army chaplains
complete officers' school with honors

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

The first Baptist General Convention of Texas-endorsed Army chaplains recently completed officer training with honors.

Ned Bartlebaugh, Casey Campbell and David Ward are the first BGCT chaplains to complete the training program required of all Army officers. Ward and Bartlebaugh earned physical training honors.

The U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School acclimates new officers to the military lifestyle. It includes a basic- training period, classroom time that teaches military procedure and field exercises.

Chaplains who transferred their endorsement to the BGCT already completed the training prior to changing their endorsement.

“These guys are groundbreakers,” said Robert Hutcherson, a retired Army chaplain who helps the BGCT chaplaincy relations office minister to Army chaplains.

“These are fellows who have looked at their endorsing options and honed in on the BGCT.”

The trio impressed Hutcherson with their performance throughout the program, as well as their strong faith and enthusiasm toward ministry.

“They're eager,” he said. “They're motivated. They're ready to go.”

Bartlebaugh said he is honored to be one of the BGCT chaplains to go through the school and hopes the trio serve as models for current and future chaplains.

“I'm proud of that because I hope the three of us set a high bar of what BGCT chaplains are about,” he said.

Many people asked the three chaplains about BGCT endorsement, Ward said. The students explained what the convention believed and outlined the chaplaincy program.

“There's so much buzz about the BGCT in the chaplaincy endorsement area,” he said.

Bartlebaugh now is stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. Casey Campbell is at Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla. Ward is a reserve chaplain for a unit in Seagoville.

Ward, a graduate of Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary, said he is looking forward to ministering to the soldiers in his assigned unit.

Ward's primary assignment is to a unit in Seagoville, but he also will minister to several smaller units in surrounding states.

The work will fulfill a calling he felt in college after serving several years as an Army chaplain assistant, he said.

“The chaplain is in a unique position in that you get to go out and strike up conversations,” he said. “You get to build up relationships and then share your faith.”

Bartlebaugh, a former minister of education who was enlisted in the Army, said he hopes to use his past military experience to relate to soldiers more easily. Chaplains often serve as the only spiritual presence in the lives of soldiers who are looking for hope and certainty in tough military situations.

He said he looks forward to ministering to the larger Christian body. He will perform ceremonies for people of many denominations. He also can share his faith with non-Christians as he works with them.

Campbell felt a call to chaplaincy during his pastorate at South Side Baptist Church in Gainesville, but he indicated his mission remains the same as when he was leading the congregation–evangelize non-Christians and strengthen the faith of believers.

Bobby Smith, director of BGCT chaplaincy relations, praised the men's work and was proud to take part in the “opportunity for BGCT to stand next to these ministers as they go from one calling of God for ministry in a local church to a new calling of God for ministry in Army chaplaincy.”