Jerry Shacklett’s ministry has taken him far from his old Kentucky home – around the world to a naval base in Kuwait.
Jerry Shacklett’s ministry has taken him far from
his old Kentucky home – around the world to a naval base in Kuwait.
Shacklett is pastor at Irvington Baptist Church in
Irvington, Ky. He also serves as a chaplain for the
United States Army National Guard’s 1/487th field artillery unit
currently stationed in Kuwait.
Although Shacklett was deployed in early January, he
and his wife, Ruth Ann, had been preparing for the possibility since
last summer.
“We were kind of expecting it in a way, but there
was always hope that he wouldn’t have to go,” Ruth Ann Shacklett says.
“I am proud that he was willing to serve the Lord, and I am ready to
support him in that.”
Meanwhile, Shacklett says he is learning to deal
with situations as a chaplain that are more difficult than anything he
has experienced as a pastor in Kentucky.
“God is taking my faith deeper – I am working harder
in sermon preparation,” Shacklett recounts via an e-mail
correspondence. “I am learning to live without conveniences. I don’t
need fancy pews, chairs or pulpits. Sometimes, you have a tailgate of a
Hummer, and that’s it.
“The greatest challenge so far is learning how to
provide a ministry among so many different faith backgrounds,”
Shacklett continues. “The heat, the sand and the long hours these young
men and women work is difficult for them and myself, spiritually and
physically.”
Shacklett provides religious support to soldiers,
sailors and airmen from various military branches as well as to
civilian contractors. He coordinates daily worship services and Bible
studies on the base, while overseeing other religious activities for
various sites in the area.
He also counsels those under his care. Military
families face tremendous stress during deployments, with great burdens
placed on both the stateside and the overseas spouse, Shacklett
explains.
“The sacrifice many make is often too great,” he
notes. “Some come home but not to a home. The void of Christ or lack of
dependence in Christ is the core issue with most. Mending broken
relationships from long distance is very, very difficult.”
Shacklett has seen a number of lives changed
already, he says. He has seen men and women come to know Christ. He
says he also has watched a number of believers grow deeper in their
faith. And he has seen cultural and racial walls
break down.
“I can’t begin to tell you everything God is doing
here, but I have never been a part of such a spiritual revival,” he
says.
While Shacklett serves in Kuwait, his wife is in
Irvington with their three children, ages 10, 6 and 18 months. Although
very optimistic, she acknowledges that she also faces the many
challenges common among military spouses.
“It’s easier for me than it is for the kids,” she
says. “It helps a lot that I have constant communication with him.
Sometimes, I have a bad day, and I just need him to say, ‘It’s going to
be okay.’ I usually try to deal with things the best way I can. He’s
still the head of the household even though he’s not here. But God has
entrusted me to take care of the children in his absence.”
Irvington Baptist Church also is helping to provide
support to the Shackletts on the home front. While he is in Kuwait,
church members have hired an interim pastor, while allowing the family
to remain in the parsonage. Members also send him cards, cookies and a
number of other items regularly.
“They are praying for me and I’m thankful,”
Shacklett says. “I get so much mail support and encouragement for me
and the other soldiers that (they) tease me that one corner of the mail
distribution room is designated for the chaplain.”
With all of the challenges facing the Shackletts in
both Irvington and in Kuwait, the couple regularly asks for prayer.
“Pray for our children to realize the importance of
what Dad’s doing and for them to recognize that not everything’s going
to be the same as when Dad is here,” Ruth Ann Shacklett says.
“Pray for me to know how much to accomplish – to have wisdom.”
Meanwhile, Shacklett himself asks for prayer for the
physical safety and spiritual and emotional well-being of the troops.
“Pray that despite the various backgrounds that the
Holy Spirit will give me wisdom to connect with these young men and
women and share the gospel with them,” he says.
“Pray that these young men and women will be able to
be faithful away from home. Pray for our enemy, that God will confuse
them so that they will be unable to harm us.” (BP)