Blog Post
Synchronous Web Training: Uniting Students and Chaplains Around the World
- By Sarah Judson
- •
- 06 Dec, 2018
Technology is changing the way we learn. Students can now interact with classmates and Chaplains from their own homes.
Distance is no obstacle for students who take synchronous CSC Training Courses. The January course hosted by the Pentecostal Theological Seminary and the Church of God Chaplains Commission offers a unique opportunity to take part in the class from home and interact with students and presenters while thousands of miles from the physical classroom. Not only does this make a full course more convenient to fit into busy schedules, but for students in remote areas, it may be their only opportunity to participate in a training course. Course graduate Adelaide Pinder, from Toronto, Canada, says the ability to take the course online was especially advantageous as “offerings for the course in my area were limited and often cancelled due to low enrollment”. Unlike one-way online classes, this course allows students to interact with each other in real time and fosters rich discussion. This multi-perspective element enriches the class, and Chaplain Pinder says one of the highlights of the course was hearing Chaplains from an array of disciplines share their stories.
“Chaplaincy is truly an unrecognized area and calling that can have meaningful impact”, she shares. Hearing from those living it out “was a great advantage and confirmation to students who are considering entering the field”. If you’re interested in serving communities outside the walls of the church, this course will equip you with the knowledge and resources to pursue Chaplaincy ministry. Chaplain Pinder says she has found herself referencing the course material throughout her service, which has been a valuable asset even after the course has ended. This January is one of only two times in the year that both levels of certification are offered. The class will feature guest speakers who are experts in a variety of Chaplaincy fields, and cover issues of Theology of Chaplaincy, Legalities, the Violence Cycle, PTSD, and more. To learn more about the course and certification, go to
https://www.cogchaplains.org/csc-course-registration.
Recent Posts
The Chaplains Commission congratulates Chaplain (CPT) Gary D. Sands for being selected as the best Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) Chaplain for the third consecutive year (2020-2022). CH Sands was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his duty performance and leadership that inspired his unit to win the SRU of the Year award for the first time.
The competition is steep for such recognition by the Army Recovery Care Program Senior Leadership Summit at Fort Belvoir, VA. There are 15 Soldier Recovery Units in the Army nationwide and they’ve cared for 55,000 Soldiers since their activation in 2007.
A native of Texas and a fourth generation Church of God member, Chaplain Sands has been married to Ginger Locklear Sands for more than 30 years. Both are graduates of Lee University and the proud parents of two adult children. Mrs. Sands is a career school teacher. In 1999, they established the Mount Olive Ministry Center in Arlington, TX, where they pastored for 16 years until Gary entered active duty on 21 September 2015.
Chaplain Sands is a 1996 graduate (M.Div) of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Afterwards, he earned a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2004) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary (2020). He is also a Clinical Pastoral Education graduate from Madigan Army Medical Center, WA (2019).
Following this assignment, Chaplain Sands hopes to be promoted to Major and stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. He wants to be assigned as an Airborne Brigade Chaplain, where he can mentor junior Chaplains in providing ministry to their respective battalions.
Thank you, Chaplain Sands, for making us all stand a little taller. Your faithful work and successful ministry at America’s largest military installation is sincerely appreciated.
Please send your notes of congratulations and encouragement to Chaplain and Mrs. Sands at his email address: garydonsands@gmail.com
--Charles Howell, Chaplain Colonel (USA retired), 23 FEB 2023
The competition is steep for such recognition by the Army Recovery Care Program Senior Leadership Summit at Fort Belvoir, VA. There are 15 Soldier Recovery Units in the Army nationwide and they’ve cared for 55,000 Soldiers since their activation in 2007.
A native of Texas and a fourth generation Church of God member, Chaplain Sands has been married to Ginger Locklear Sands for more than 30 years. Both are graduates of Lee University and the proud parents of two adult children. Mrs. Sands is a career school teacher. In 1999, they established the Mount Olive Ministry Center in Arlington, TX, where they pastored for 16 years until Gary entered active duty on 21 September 2015.
Chaplain Sands is a 1996 graduate (M.Div) of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Afterwards, he earned a Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2004) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary (2020). He is also a Clinical Pastoral Education graduate from Madigan Army Medical Center, WA (2019).
Following this assignment, Chaplain Sands hopes to be promoted to Major and stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. He wants to be assigned as an Airborne Brigade Chaplain, where he can mentor junior Chaplains in providing ministry to their respective battalions.
Thank you, Chaplain Sands, for making us all stand a little taller. Your faithful work and successful ministry at America’s largest military installation is sincerely appreciated.
Please send your notes of congratulations and encouragement to Chaplain and Mrs. Sands at his email address: garydonsands@gmail.com
--Charles Howell, Chaplain Colonel (USA retired), 23 FEB 2023
She and Kelly Artemis founded Milspo Gurus for this community, and engage in honest discussion through blogs, Q&A videos , and a personalized course. Their course was recently featured in military family focused Legacy Magazine , and both are published in other military resources, found on their site. Claire shares more about the creation of Milspo Gurus here:
