Last night, chaplain cadets and visitors from Calvary Mountain View Church celebrated their last night together with praises, pushups, and footwashing.
The men danced and sang, exalting the Lion of Judah and celebrating their unity in Christ.
Afterward, the cadets sat and listened as Pastor Joe McCormick spoke, exhorting them to become men of honor, chaplains who would defend their country, love one woman and care for her all the days of their lives – and remember how to do a proper pushup! “Many start well,” he challenged them. “Will you finish well?”
Joe also encouraged them in their bonds with each other. As the Sudanese are so divided into various tribes, unity among the cadets takes time and effort. “Are there any Dinkas here?” Joe asked, naming one of the tribes represented in the group. “No, no Dinkas!” the men responded. “Any Madi?” he pressed. “No, no Madi!” they responded. “What tribe are you?” Joe demanded. “Lion of Judah! Lion of Judah!” they shouted, their chant drowning out the sound of the pouring rain outside.
Trainers lined up alongside the cadets for a final set of pushups. “Pushups are good!” Joe shouted. “Pushups are fun!”
Afterward Joe spoke again, reminding the cadets of how he and the other trainers have demonstrated leadership to them over the past few weeks: in humble service, leading by example. The trainers brought in towels and tubs of water and spent the next half hour washing each cadet’s feet and praying for him individually.
In a culture where many enter the ministry simply for the chance of comfort and respectability, we pray that the godly investment these trainers have made in the cadets would have a lasting impact on them and on this nation.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” Isaiah 52:7
p.s. Hopefully in the next couple of days we'll be able to upload a video or two of that night!
p.s. Hopefully in the next couple of days we'll be able to upload a video or two of that night!
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