Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Decision Magazine, a publication of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. To read the full article, visit here.
Since before the American Revolution’s first shots rang out, the courageous presence of military chaplains has helped the nation’s troops find inspiration, moral clarity, and peace with God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
That “ministry of presence,” as retired Army Chaplain Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver calls it, stood in the gap through the fight for independence from British tyranny in the 18th century, through the devastation of the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Cold War conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, and now the ongoing war against Islamist jihad.
When Continental Army Gen. George Washington called for the recruitment of chaplains on July 9, 1776—a year after the colonies had formally tried but failed to make peace with the British crown—he had already called for troops to be informed by Christian virtue at the hands of devoted clergy.
“Commanding officers of each regiment are directed to procure chaplains accordingly; persons of good Characters and exemplary lives. … The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger—
“The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavor so to live, and act as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country.”
