Charles Pridgen
Update from Charles Pridgen from U.S. Army Chaplain School – July 20, 2009
Greetings Everyone,
We have a little over five more weeks before graduation. The 28th of August is fast approaching and I can hardly wait. These past seven or eight weeks have seemed like an eternity that I have been away. I guess is fair to say that I am little homesick. But as you well know I have a job to do and I am so looking forward to getting out there and ministering to our troops.
I contacted chaplain office at Ft. Bliss last week and found out that I will be apart of the 3 brigade 1st armored Div 113 CAV. This is a new unit that has only been up and running for about three weeks. This unit was originally based out of Germany. The chaplain also informed me that the first two Brigades have already been deployed and that my brigade is due to deploy real soon. I believe they are without a chaplain at this moment and are really looking forward to my arrival.
There are at least two other guys at the school who are also headed to Ft. Bliss as well. I do not know if I have mentioned this or not but we have the largest number of students attending (CH-BOLC) chaplain school than they have had in a very long time. The majority of the students at the school are either Reservists or in the National Guard. Out of the over 125 students only about 20-25 of us are going Active Duty.
Needless to say, we have been bombarded and overwhelmed with the sense of urgency of the moment. We are constantly being reminded everyday about the importance of our roles as chaplains and the serious crisis of our soldiers. Our level of commitment has truly been tested and will continue to be tested as we itch ever so closer to that time. What we are about to embark upon is definitely not for the faint of heart. I can only hope and pray that I am ready for such a challenge. Thanks for many prayers already and please continue to pray for God’s direction, leading, and protection for my family and I as we move forward in this new chapter of our lives.
My family and I are eternally grateful for your faithfulness, love, and service. May the Lord continue to bless each one of you for the loving kindness that you have displayed to the Pridgen family. Until next time, take care and God bless.
Serving the Master,
(CH) 1LT Pridgen
We are very pleased to announce that Charles Pridgen, ordained by the Warsaw Community Grace Brethren Church, was approved by the accessioning board for active duty in the U.S. Army.
Charles and Ada and their children moved to Winona Lake from a pastorate in Dayton, OH a number of years ago to complete his college degree and enter Grace Seminary for the specific purpose of entering the Armed Forces chaplaincy. The U.S. Air Force did not have a slot for him, so he recently sent his file to the U.S. Army, which approved his application at the accessioning board last month.
Charles sent this note to us upon receiving the good news of his selection: “I cannot express in words how my family and I are feeling at this moment – overjoyed would be an understatement. I know that you all share in this joy with us. On behalf of my family, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you who persevered and prayed for and with us during this long journey. I know in reality that the journey has only just begun. I will keep you all posted as more news becomes available. Please feel free to spread the good news far and wide. God does hear the prayers of the Saints and good things come to those who wait upon the Lord. (Isa. 40:31).”
Please pray for Charles and Ada as he reports for Chaplains School in South Carolina in May 2009. Following Chaplains School, Charles and the family will move to Fort Riley, Kansas for his first assignment.
Chaplain 1/Lt Charles Pridgen, newly accessioned by the U.S. Army, with wife Ada