This may be the busiest year ever combining deployments, personally training new chaplain’s to serve, & the ongoing necessity to increase my training & recertifications. I wanted to introduce you to Dr. Naomi Paget, our photo together from ten years ago is at the top of these attached pictures. I met Dr. Paget during the Thomas Fires, December 4th 2018. She is known around the world as the leader of leaders when it comes to training & equipping First Responder Chaplains. She is a FBI Chaplain, she leads the training for the CSBC Disaster Relief Chaplains which is where I went to receive my ordination in Bakersfield under her direction for The California Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Chaplain’s… also know as CSBC-DRC. She is an ICISF Faculty Instructor & Board member; International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc where I have completed all of their ICISF & CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) courses through Mickey Stonier at the Rock Church in San Diego. Mickey has been my primary mentor this past 15 years. I serve under him as 'Sworn Chaplain Corps' for the San Diego Office Of Emergency Services. Mickey is also a chaplain for many agencies; Homeland Security, S.D. Port Authority, S.D. law enforcement & S.D.F.D. I was just in San Diego two weeks ago with Mickey doing new Disaster Relief Reserve training for CRI; Crises Response International. Many of those CRI reserve volunteers will eventually become reserve chaplains.
The reason I am sending you a copy of this is to keep you close to my heart & share the responsibilities I venture into every new season of serving; including the necessary ongoing training which this original email was directed by Dr. Paget to me a few days ago. Although I have completed these five courses in the past, just like in teaching or nursing, it is paramount to receive re-education to keep your certifications & licensing updated-current. There is always new material, always new ways of responding & serving, that makes this ongoing training invaluable. Here are the five courses I am taking starting in March through July of 2026. Other course are required with the many other agencies I serve. Being certified with over a dozen agencies allows me to respond to each new request for deployment with a higher sense e of urgency based on their individual position regarding a new disaster or crises. Over the years I have come to understand how important it is to watch & observe the initial response by each agency, “before” I personal decide to accept the deployment, based on the experience & impact theses agencies have during a crises. This is an unusually personal letter to a colleague, I thought it would be a window to share with you candidly the effort it takes to faithfully climb the ladder of training & exelence in order to reach the level of service I believe would be pleasing to the Father’s Heart in my calling.
One final request; much of last year was spent redesigning the hope805.org website, it is the only tool I have to raise awareness & support in order to get my message out... as I do not subscribe to any social media due to pastoral privacy issues. A giant "Thank You” to Leah Perkins for her gifting, commitment & sacrifice of time to overseeing every aspect of that ongoing endeavor! A BIG THANK YOU for being a partner, you help make everything I do possible!
