A SHORT HISTORY OF THE AGC
by Dr. George Baugham
MY LIFE WITH THE STROKE:
…I have six more months to go to get a
medical update. The good news is my doctor has informed me that, although I
sustained only peripheral eye injury in both eyes I still have vision in both
eyes. In short, he said I “missed a bullet” that could have been far more
serious. Thanks be to God!
Prior to the stroke, I
had decided to step down as AGC President. In the latter part of my tenure, I had
begun to experience fatigue at times at mid-day or later. I had no idea that a
stroke was imminent. I had given all I had to promote, expand and represent AGC
on the road and in churches during my time as president; it appears I over did
it.
Eva remained “on duty”
for AGC for a while to facilitate having the books ready for our accountant,
with Kim, the AGC Secretary. Eva never failed an audit! She never took a salary
to help assure AGC would have funds on hand for the mission. One morning, not
too long ago, while I was working in my office at home, I felt a miniature,
fluid-like sensation moving in the lateral, superior aspect of my head. The
hospital emergency room verified I had sustained a stroke.
I had often worked late
into the night to keep up with the demands of recruiting new chaplains, new
candidates and responding to the needs of our chaplains, whom I sorely
miss!
The day’s activities had
kept me busy with answering phone calls, having staff meetings or going on the
road. Those days were nearly 24/7. It was necessary to assure
that our chaplains were taken care of first, as any Ecclesiastical Endorser
should do. I made that my first priority! In that vein, our chaplains
are also to get the last word, as it were, by voting once a year at our
Annual Conference. AGC, along with its constituent churches, represent the
church they sponsor as you know. The pace I was keeping may have brought on the
stroke I previously mentioned. The need to press on was demanding. It was most
enjoyable, however, recruiting and serving our chaplains!
Pertaining to the days
before we had a paid bookkeeper and office secretary, I was receiving an
abundance of phone calls inquiring about the chaplaincy. The great-quality work
by AGC Chaplains soon caused the churches and the Chief’s office to take
notice! To meet the recruiting needs, it was necessary to make numerous road
trips across country and sometimes by the air. Something had to be done to
assuage the load.
LCDR, CHC USN, Ret.
Patrick P. Doney had the solution! More than a few years ago, Chaplain Doney
recommended to me that AGC move out of the President’s home in Greenville, SC
and move into a professional office building. That took some searching and
planning. That recommendation by Chaplain Doney was a wise one. Today, the AGC
Home Office in Greenville, SC is a handsome, professional office building.
Without question, we had to meet the need to expand.
Later, as the number of
chaplains increased, the word was out that AGC had expanded its recruiting
mission. We drove to Fort Jackson, SC several times to attend graduations of
our chaplains completing the Army; Navy; Air Force; Navy/Marines basic and
advanced courses. Particularly, we attended the graduation program (above) to
show support for our graduating Chaplains. AGC had gained much respect from the Armed Forces
Chaplain Board in Washington, DC as well as from the Chaplain School
Commandant.
Kim Epps later came
aboard to be AGC’s Office Secretary and has performed superior service for AGC.
I had the honor of officiating the wedding of Kim and Chaplain (CPT) Brandon
Hicks. In a change of subject, getting over a stroke is not a race; rather it is a slow marathon. God is gracious, however. Eva and I wait to see what God has in store for us after I get well.
I urge each of you to
take care of yourselves, so that you can fight the good fight another day for
our Savior.
MY EARLIEST TIMES WITH THE AGC:
I think the following
information might be inspiring to you. It was my privilege to work closely with
our Founder, Dr. W. O. H. Garman before his home-going. Moreover, Chaplain
(COL) Ron Benzing (Ret) and Chaplain (COL) Everett Thomas, “Ev” (now with the
Lord) were contemporary with Dr. Garman. Several of our chaplains and I went to
visit with “Ev” and wife Fran in his home in Greenville, SC just prior to Eve’s
home-going. I will always remember Ev saying, “God is keeping the books.”
Chaplain Benzing and
Chaplain Thomas, both highly distinguished AGC Chaplains, were closest
of friends with Dr. Garman. Most of the very senior chaplains knew Dr. Garman
well along with his wife Josephine, a wonderful lady. Also see the Garman
Book (an excellent book) authored by Chaplain (COL) Ken Lawson. Several of
our chaplains and I went to meet with “Ev” and wife Fran in his home in
Greenville, SC prior to Ev’s home--going. CDR, CHC USN Hathaway “Hap” Struthers is also a highly respected AGC
Chaplain and prolific writer who lives in Virginia Beach, VA. He has a
Christian school there as well. “Hap” is also a scholar in his own right.
Finally, I want
to send the following remarks: First, getting over a stroke is not a race;
rather it is a slow marathon. Eva and I wait to see what God has in store for
us as I get well. My neurologist says I am making good progress. I work out at
the gymnasium at a local YMCA, lifting weights, and swimming laps in its large
pool. He also said in words to the effect, “That if I had to have a stroke, I
had a good stroke due to the area of the damage.”
In that vein, brethren, we can all know our times are in
His hands.
Your Friends, Dr. Billy Baugham
AGC President, Ret.
May God richly bless you
all
