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Serving God and Country

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE

Welcome to this month's special guest.  Dr. George Baugham has faithfully served the AGC for almost forty years.  First as an Army Chaplain than as the AGC's President.  During his tenure, the AGC has almost quadrupled in membership and has been influential in all branches of the military and Civil Air Patrol for delivering the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to millions of men and women in the military.  Dr. Baugham ("Billy" to those who are closest to him) suffered a stroke a year ago and has been on the mend ever since.  In spite of his stroke, he has most graciously answered a request to be this month's guest author on the "Shofar."  He is a man whom God has used in many facets and it is for this reason we honor him in this article.  God bless.

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.

 THE AGC WAS OUR LIFE:

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

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