Civilian chaplain lands in the Middle East
Filed Under: Chaplains, Christmas, Kuwait, Middle East, Military, Special Ministries
Rev. Paul Ziemer, national civilian chaplain to the military and Armed Forces liaison, arrived in Kuwait on Dec. 13 to begin ministering to troops stationed overseas. From there, he will be traveling to U. S. military installations in the Middle East as he gains clearance from the military.
Rev. Carl Ziemer, administrator for WELS Special Ministries, estimates that his brother Paul will remain in the Middle East for 10-14 days. "It depends on how many opportunities he has to travel to the troops," says Carl Ziemer. "While he has some arrangements already made, the situation there is fluid and demands a great deal of flexibility."
Paul Ziemer is able to contact and minister to troops through referrals received by WELS Military Services. Although Military Services has only received the contact information of approximately 90 WELS soldiers in this region, "We are confident that there are many more WELS people in the Middle East," says Carl Ziemer. "We hope some identify themselves once our chaplain is in the area." Paul Ziemer will be working with as many of these referrals as possible, and other military personnel as he has opportunity.
Although these visits to the Middle East only occur once or twice a year because of inadequate funding and difficulties in gaining access to the troops, Carl Ziemer says they are very important. "Especially in times of great stress and danger, Christians need to hear about God's faithful love and care. They need to know that the extended family of believers supports them and is praying for them."
.jpg)
While in the Middle East, Paul Ziemer will also continue to build relationships with key military contacts. "These relationships are extremely important for future trips to the Middle East and elsewhere," says Carl Ziemer. "If we are serious about wanting to serve WELS members in areas of hostility, then we must engage and win the respect and cooperation of military leaders and chaplains."
Read some of Paul Ziemer’s thoughts from Kuwait, online at www.wels.net/jump/militarychap. To help WELS Military Services reach more soldiers in the Middle East, enter or update a military referral at www.wels.net/jump/military.
