Following is an open letter from Chaplain Doug Lee, Executive Director of the Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission on Chaplains, addressed to “Dear Friends of America’s Finest Chaplains”

Our Reformed and Presbyterian chaplains often find themselves serving in settings where delivering the Gospel often takes courage. These men definitely need the support of the Church.

Especially critical is the comforting knowledge that their denomination is behind them. Many of our churches have agreed to support a chaplain through prayer, special projects and financial gifts. Our chaplains often comment that the faithfulness of the Church is key to their safety and ministry fruitfulness. The
Presbyterian and Reformed Joint Commission for Chaplains and Military personnel (PRJC) would like to honor giving churches with a special certificate…

First a bit of history: “In 1917, World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queissne of the 5th Ohio Infantry created a Blue Star banner to hang in his window signifying he had two sons serving on the front line. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in the service. On Sept. 24, 1917, an Ohio congressman read the following into the Congressional Record:

’…The mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce, and the governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother – their children…’Today Blue Star Service Banners are displayed by families who have a loved one serving in the armed forces including the National Guard and Reserves of all military departments. The banner displayed in the front window of a home shows a family’s pride in their loved one serving in the military, and reminds others that preserving America’s freedom demands much”. www.bluestarsforsafereturn.com/history.htm

Following this tradition of the Blue Star Banner, the PRJC has created a new “Purple Star Certificate” signifying that your church partners with the PRJC‘s mission to “Catch, Credential and Care”. Supporting Churches are a tremendous blessing to the chaplains serving their country…whether in the military forces or civilian institutions. Why purple? It is a kingly color long associated with royalty…and King Jesus.

This Certificate is designed to hang on your church bulletin board where many of you keep track of the service men and women of your church. It’s a vivid reminder of your financial sacrifice for the chaplains who serve both in the military and significant civilian institutions of America.

Every church that Sponsors at least one Chaplain and who has contributed a financial gift of any amount to Chaplain Ministries will be considered “Partner Churches” and will receive a Purple Star Certificate. We suggest that Partnering Churches consider an annual gift of $600 for each Chaplain they sponsor.

We encourage you to frame your certificate, and place it on your missionary bulletin board, along with this letter, so your members will know that you support the superb chaplains of the PRJC.

Thankful for your faithful help and encouragement!

In Christ,
CH (BG) Douglas E. Lee, USA, (Ret)
PRJC Executive Director and MNA Chaplain Ministries
[email protected]