"Through our chaplains, our denomination has a much greater influence than we realize. Chaplains are making a tremendous impact on many communities and making a good name for Free Methodism."
— E. Dean Cook, Chaplain Captain (Retired), U.S. Navy
(now pastoring Wilmore FMC in Kentucky)

"The hospital chaplaincy is on the cutting edge of ministry."
— Chaplain Howard Lehman, Deaconess Hospital

"On one occasion, I was called out around 5:30 a.m. and was holding a six-week-old baby as he drew his last breath. That same day, in the evening, I was holding the hand of a 104-year-old lady as she drew her last breath."
— Chaplain Elza F. Boldman,
Spiritual Care Coordinator for the Hospice of Oklahoma County, Inc.

"I was desiring a faster-paced, diverse and challenging ministry setting — and I found it in chaplaincy. Each day is a new adventure where different kinds of people from all walks of life are open to the grace of God extended through the ministry of a chaplain."
— Chaplain Eric Snyder, Deaconess Hospital

"When it was first announced at Annual Conference in 1979 that I would be doing hospital work, several pastors asked me why I was leaving the ministry. I told each one, "I am not leaving the ministry, I am going into the ministry." I was going into the hospital where there are spiritually hurting people who are never touched by the church. I have never regretted following God's leading out of the church pastorate into the hospital chaplaincy ministry — never!"
— Chaplain Ben Belcher
Harrison Memorial Hospital, Bremerton, WA

"There is a window of opportunity open now for Army chaplains like I have never seen. The Army is short 200 young chaplains in both Active and Reserve components which means we are recruiting the best qualified for military ministry now. I would encourage qualified pastors to look into the opportunity and talk with our Denominational Endorsing Agent, former Army Chaplain, Robert S. Barnard Jr."
— Kenneth V. Carpenter, Command Chaplain
Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, LA

"Just a week before one of our patients died, I was instrumental in leading him to the Lord. It was a very dramatic change for him and one that he shared with all visitors. The last week of his life I was asked to do a wedding ceremony for him and his significant other of 12 years, baptized him, held his hand at the moment of his death and did his funeral service."
— Chaplain Elza F. Boldman,
Spiritual Care Coordinator for the Hospice of Oklahoma County, Inc.

"I recently had the responsibility of telling one of our older residents that his mother had died. His family wanted him to attend her funeral but did not think it would be possible. I was able to take him to the funeral and assist him in being with his family for the day. He spent time with his father and brother and a large number of other family members and also visited with a number of people at the church he had attended as a child. Although a sad occasion, it was a great blessing to the family to be together and support one another during this time. Since our return to Brenham, I have visited with him several times concerning his mother and his feelings about her."
— Chaplain Jim Ferguson, Brenham State School,
Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

"Chaplains pray … every week before soldiers, families, commanders and dignitaries at various non-religious events — giving us the opportunity to bring before the military community the ideals of faith, hope, and love on a regular basis. … in counseling with young soldiers, in hospitals and prisons, in the field beside Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abrams tanks, in foxholes, in response to requests daily, at ministry meetings, with commanders, doctors, nurses and staff officers, on Unit Ministry Teams in Afghanistan and wherever soldiers are deployed in harm's way."
— Kenneth V. Carpenter, Command Chaplain
Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, LA