■ THE MINISTRY OF CHAPLAINS
Standing Watch With
the Guardians
■ by BRIAN JACOBSON and members of the USCG Auxiliary. The Within this large community is a vast
auxiliary is a large group of dedicated citi- spiritual diversity. In the civilian work-
T
HE UNITED STATES Coast Guard zens that give their time and personal force and the large group of retirees, I
is so different from the Army, resources to help during crises or to stand normally make two or three death notifi-
Navy, Air Force, and Marines. a midnight watch. cations a week and conduct counseling
First, they go out to save lives. Our sol- The mission at Curtis Bay includes ship sessions for personal and family crisis
diers, sailors, airmen, and marines are rebuilding, fleet logistical supply, port secu- events. Caring for the active-duty and
tasked with a much different mission. rity, navigational aids, vessel boarding for reserve guardsmen is my primary and
Second, Coast Guard personnel are inspections, and rescue operations. We are ongoing responsibility, as well as a privi-
deployed and serve where they live. in Sector Baltimore, which covers the lege. I direct worship services; conduct
Third, their mission also includes the pro- Washington, D.C., area, so we are tasked Bible studies and spiritual retreats; lead
tection of our marine environment from with security operations whenever the special services for dedications, baptisms,
the misuse and abuse by humankind and president travels on or near the waterways. and traditional religious observances;
the effects of nature.
As a Navy chaplain and having served
“SERVING WITH THESE GUARDIANS, I OFTEN
with members of every branch of our
ASK, ‘HAVE I PLACED MYSELF IN HARM’S WAY
armed forces, I have found my time in
FOR CHRIST TODAY?’” —BRIAN JACOBSEN
the Coast Guard to be particularly special
ministry. Here at the Coast Guard Yard at Our Atlantic Strike Team is a highly trained and, as with all military chaplains, coun-
Curtis Bay, Maryland, the diversity of cadre of Coast Guard personnel ready to sel, counsel, counsel.
ministry is extraordinary. I have never respond immediately to any place or haz- Coast Guard personnel stand ready to
been faced with so many different chal- ard. They are a vital national asset and are place themselves in harm’s way to rescue
lenges. My “congregation” numbers experts in responding to the effects of oil individuals from catastrophe and even
around 2,500, spread across four states. It spills and discharges, hazardous-substance death. Why? They do it because of their
is made up of active-duty and reserve releases, weapons-of-mass-destruction passion, their mission—it is embedded in
guardsmen, civilians, military retirees, events, and other emergencies. their hearts to react to save lives.
Serving with these guardians, I often
ask, Have I placed myself in harm’s way for
Christ today? Do I, and does the church,
really take the time each day to stand watch
for Jesus, to find that one individual who is
perishing in our community?
The Lord has given me a passion and
love to serve people, whoever and wherev-
er they are. As a chaplain, I have been
placed on the front lines of life’s crises,
performing triage on those who have been
wounded by the arrows Satan has flung at
them, and helping them to find their way
into the fold of the Great Shepherd. I am
blessed. May you find fair winds and fol-
lowing seas as you travel life’s journey to
find Christ’s purpose for you.
Chaplain Jacobsen Chaplain (Lt.) Brian Jacobson
leads a ceremony
and his wife, Keersti, live in
aboard ship.
Joppa, Maryland.
14 EVANGEL • AUG 2009
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