Pete Stone
January 2012
Pete continues his ministry at Fort Campbell, KY. He had been the rear detachment chaplain for one of the combat units that had deployed to Afghanistan. Since they have returned from their duty Pete was reassigned to 1/187 Infantry Battalion, the “Rakasans.” This unit did an airborne drop in Japan during WWII. The word “Rakasan” is Japanese for “falling umbrellas.” Pete loves his work and has been able to connect with Bill Graham, another of our chaplains at Campbell. Pete and Monica deeply appreciate your prayers in their behalf.
September 2011 – USA
Thought you’d like to see/read a great story about a former MIA from Viet Nam. I had the incredible privilege to officiate the grave side service for this returning hero. The honors detail was from the 96th ASB, 101 CAB. They were stellar. I was so proud to be associated with such professional Soldiers from the 101st. Ft. Campbell was well represented by that team led by 1LT Muchmore and SSG Duran.
Many Viet Nam veterans were present at the memorial and the graveside, and this was very emotional for all of them. It was a powerful experience I will never forget.
Here’s the link (the video is half way down the page on the right):
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2011/sep/27/a1-laid-to-rest-hundreds-gather-for-burial-of/
V/R,
CH (CPT) Pete Stone BN Chaplain 1-187 INF, 3BCT
August 2011 – USA
FGBC National Conference, Wooster, OH
Monica and I were delighted to make it again this year to conference. I only wish we could’ve stayed longer and enjoyed visiting every one more. We are always blown away by the love and support we receive from the Eagle Commission and our family in the FGBC.
I have an urgent prayer request I’d like to put out to our folks. I have recently been assigned to a light infantry unit. These Soldiers are some of the most dedicated and sacrificial people I’ve ever known. I’m deeply privileged to serve as their chaplain. I’ve gradually begun to earn their trust. The other day several of us engaged in a conversation about spiritual matters. The conversation came to a point where I sensed they were comfortable enough with me that I had the freedom to invite them to begin a Bible study with me. They heartily agreed. Later in the day one of them sent an email and said, “Chappy, I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but why don’t you advertise this to more folks? I think they’d like something like this.” This guy is one of the strongest leaders in our unit, so it meant a lot for him to make that suggestion.
We are going to begin working through Tim Keller’s book, The Prodigal God, starting next week. Please pray:
1) that hearts would respond to this invitation and come;
2) that these individuals would actually read the weekly chapters;
3) that hearts would awaken to the glorious reality of the Gospel of Christ;
4) that hearts would be transformed unto God’s glory through this study.
I know I am encountering enemy territory and will face opposition and obstacles. I’m desperate for the prayers of the saints to intercede and invite the powerful work of the Holy Spirit to wage war for us. Again, we are so grateful for your support.
Together for God’s Glory,
Pete
March 2011 – USA
“The BBC (radio) was here recently at Campbell doing a piece on soldiers returning from combat and their reintegration. They asked to speak with me because of my role on Rear Detachment and work with families here.” (Listen to the 5-minute segment below.)
“I think it turned out well and was an honest, meaningful tribute to our Soldiers and their amazing families who support them.”
Thanks.
Pete
“He cannot die badly who lives well; and scarcely shall he die well who lives badly.” –St. Augustine
October 2010 – USA
Chaplain Pete Stone, reporting from Fort Campbell, KY, was among those assigned the duty of notifying family members of those killed in the recent crash of a UH-60 (Blackhawk) in Afghanistan. This was his first experience of making such a notification.
“God have me grace,” he recalls. “The spouse who received the news was an amazing woman with supernatural composure. Please say a prayer for her and her little children as they try to figure out life without daddy.”
“I was impressed during that day that there is no more sacred honor than that of notifying the next of kin. No one wants to do it, but someone must, and a fallen comrade would want someone trustworthy and honorable to assume that sacred duty.”
February 2010 - Iraq
Dear Friends,
I hope this letter finds you well. Things here at Camp Taji here in Iraq continue to remain relatively calm. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Please read my latest newsletter, attached.
October 2009 Newsletter from Pete Stone
Blessings,
Pete
August 2009
For more details see Pete’s August 2009 Prayer Letter
Dear Friends,
I wanted to share with you what God has been doing since I graduated from chaplain school in December. As soon as I finished school, we moved to Fort Hood, TX, where I was assigned to the 4-227 Attack/Recon Battalion of the 1st Air Cav Brigade, 1st Cav Division. In April 2009, we deployed for Camp Taji, Iraq, just north of Baghdad. We are scheduled to be here until Spring 2010.
We are an attack/reconnaissance aviation battalion (AH-64 Apache Longbow Helicopters). Being in an aviation battalion is quite different from much of the rest of the Army. For a chaplain, this is as comfortable as it gets in a combat zone. Additionally, in three months our pilots have not fired a single shot–there hasn’t been a single engagement. Things are very quiet. Neither has there been a single mortar or rocket attack on our Forward Operating Base (Camp Taji). It doesn’t feel much like war, but we are all trying not to become complacent.
Monica is doing very well. She has been studying English at the University of Tennessee, living with my folks. This week she moves to Miami where she will begin an LLM (Master of Laws) in Intercultural Human Rights. We’re both thrilled about her opportunity to do this, as this kind of law is something she loves. She will be living with a woman from my mentor’s church, and will be surrounded by a wonderful community of people.
Thanks for your love, support and friendship–many of you have been such a huge part in God’s grace in my life, and I thank you. I’ve attached my prayer letter as a means to stay in touch.
Love in Christ,
Pete
May 2009 – Iraq
Hey, loved ones! I’m writing you from camp Taji, Iraq, just outside Baghdad. We arrived via Chinook helicopter early this morning at about 3am. That was a cool ride! We had to wear all our protective gear and we took off with no lights in a group of 3 birds. For a few minutes I thought I was a special forces dude going in for a secret mission. Then I remembered I’m a chaplain without a gun and I’m going to a huge post that has Baskin Robbins and Taco Bell, internet and a/c. Well, someone has to be a chaplain.
Things continue to go well. I’m developing the kind of relationships with the staff, commanders and soldiers that I would want. I pray that they will continue to grow deep and rich with the presence of Christ. After living together in tents for 3 weeks in Kuwait, there’s a greater sense of family. It’s like going on a big mission trip…only with guns, helicopters…and mostly non-believers. Kind of cool.
I’m asking the Lord to lead me in developing a ministry schedule that includes Bible studies, preaching prep, personal prayer, and of course time just to be with soldiers in a casual way. I’m really hoping God blesses my desires to start some discipleship groups with soldiers who say they want to grow. I’ll keep you posted as things develop. But please keep in your prayers my desire for God to bring people into the Bible studies. I long to see the Word transform us all together.
Camp Taji is comfortable and dirty. The food is more than you could imagine. All kinds of varieties at every meal. Anything you could want, just about, is here at one of the 2 dining facilities. Nothing here feels like you would imagine a war feeling like. It feels like summer camp on steroids. Summer camp and a massive missions trip blended together.
I hope to be in better touch as soon as I figure out where my office is, get internet, etc.
I love you all deeply, and live here with such joy in my heart knowing where I came from, and remembering the wonderful people that surround me in Christ.
-Pete
Pete Stone has been accessioned by the U.S. Army as a Grace Brethren Chaplain and will start Chaplain School in September. Pete and his wife Monica came to the FGBC from an independent Bible church in Arkansas and have joined the Fountain of Life Grace Brethren Church in Johnson City, TN (Dr. Vic Young, Pastor). Pete successfully passed his ordination exam as a Grace Brethren minister at the FGBC National Conference in Tampa, FL (see picture). Pete is a graduate of Bryan College with a B.A. in Christian Education and a minor in Bible and received an MDiv from Gordon Cromwell Theological Seminary. He has had a number of ministry experiences in his career to this point, including missionary service in Bogota, Columbia and Manila, Philippines, and as Director of Operations for Shoot for Life in Montgomery, AL.
