Army chaplain will speak Sunday

By Anastasia Harbuck

Published: June 23, 2008

The Eufaula-Georgetown Ministerial Association will welcome Chaplain Michael Lee Jeffries to First African Baptist Church Sunday during the association’s special July 4th service.
Jeffries, a native of Columbus, has been a chaplain with the U.S. Army for eight years. He attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he attended what he calls, “ROTC for preachers” - a program in which students train alongside military chaplains - in preparation to become a military chaplain himself.
After pastoring a church for four years, Jeffries joined Fort Benning’s 115 Infantry in two tours in Iraq. Jeffries arrived home from his second tour with the 115 May 10, after 14 months in the Middle East.
While in Iraq, Jeffries’ duties as chaplain included providing religious support for soldiers, helping troops deal with stress and performing memorial services for fallen comrades.
“Each unit has a chaplain down to a battalion level,” said Jeffries. “It can be a humbling job (but) it’s very rewarding.”
Jeffries looks forward to sharing his experiences as chaplain with his audience at First African Sunday. Pastor Bryce D. Mitchell of Georgetown Baptist is also anticipating Jeffries’ visit to the area. The association, which includes 15-20 local churches, holds four joint services a year: Thanksgiving, Good Friday, Vespers (for the outgoing graduating classes) and the July 4th service.
The joint services have been held for more than 20 years, said Mitchell, and include several denominations. Offerings collected during each service fund different charities. The Thanksgiving service funds a transit ministry which helps travelers going through Eufaula with gas and food expenses. The service Sunday will benefit single moms attending Wallace College.
“We’ve helped several ladies go to school (through this service),” said Mitchell.
The service Sunday will also include music by the First African choir. The service will be held at 6 p.m.