[APD] First Adventist woman commissioned to serve as U.S. Navy chaplain

[Christian B. Schäffler]

[APD] First Adventist woman commissioned to serve as U.S. Navy chaplain

 

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First Adventist woman commissioned to serve as U.S. Navy chaplain 

Townsend calls military 'mission field'

 

Berrien Springs, Michigan/USA, 11.08.2008 [ANN/APD]  Adrienne Townsend
accepted the oath of office and was officially sworn in July 24 as the first
Seventh-day Adventist woman to serve as an active duty chaplain in the
United States Navy. 

 

Lieutenant Junior Grade Townsend said her four years as associate dean of
women at Adventist-owned Andrews University prepared her for chaplaincy and
called her new post a "huge mission field" where she could minister to
similarly aged young people. 

 

"I feel God has laid the foundation for me here to go out into the military
and reach those who need to hear about Christ," Townsend said. "I want
Christ to be glorified and God to be seen as real for everyone I come in
contact with." 

 

Townsend, who holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Adventist
Theological Seminary at Andrews, brings a background in education and
psychology to her new position. While studying theology, Townsend met a Navy
recruiter and first felt called to chaplaincy. 

 

Townsend's post is an "encouragement" to other Adventist women feel
similarly called to ministry within the military and who "find the
traditional roles limited," said Chaplain (Colonel) Gary R. Councell,
director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (ACM) for the world church. 

 

Councell worked with Townsend over the past two years to prepare her to meet
the military and denominational requirements of her post. 

 

Lieutenant Christopher Carmichael, a Navy representative from the Navy
Officer Recruiting Station in East Lansing, Mich., presented Townsend with
her Presidential Appointment signed by President George W. Bush. Seminary
Chaplain James North delivered the oath of office. 

 

Once stationed, Townsend's duties will include leading worship services,
providing counselling and visitation services and performing ceremonies such
as weddings and funerals. [Andrew Campbell and Keri Suarez for ANN/APD]

 

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