Hey my name is Gary R. Evans and I would like to start off by telling you a little bit about myself. I spent 25 plus years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. My career included working in various capacities such as Correctional Officer, Transportation Officer, Yard Sergeant, First Sergeant over our Rapid Response teams, Field Lt. for Shock Probation, Lt. over Lock-up in both level 2 & 3 institutions. As well as a Criminologist and a training Lieutenant at the Training Academy.
The last five or so years, I also served as a Chaplain for Correctional Officers for the state of South Carolina. I am endorsed by the North American Mission Board. Which all started with me serving as a chaplain for the CPOF Foundation. During the time period I was on active duty, I would often say to myself- on those lonely 12 hour shifts,” It would really be nice if there was someone we could talk to when we were feeling down”. It always puzzled me that every institution had Chaplains assigned to the inmates even though that was usually one Chaplain for every 1200 to 1500 inmates but no one there to accommodate the officers on duty/staff.
At times I would even ask about it. Every time I was told the same thing we could talk to the inmate’s Chaplains. These Chaplains are already overloaded, not to mention most correctional staff do not feel comfortable confiding in the same person the inmates are confiding in, and more than anything else this was one of the main things that led me to seek out being a chaplain for
correctional employees. Believe me, it was not an easy road. I spent many hours, days, weeks, and even years trying to sell the idea. Much of the time to no avail until one day after spending time after time day after day meeting after meeting, I was having lunch with a very good friend and prayer partner from our local Southern Baptist Association- Brother David Lee (Now Retired). We were eating Chinese food, well I was feeling sorry for myself and having my own pity party, while me and David had a good visit like always just sitting around talking after we had finished eating. When I decided to eat my fortune cookie.
The second I read it I knew GOD was talking to me at which time I asked David if he believed God would talk to me through a fortune cookie. At this time David replied, “he can speak at any time in any way he wants”. That fortune cookie said, “A GREAT IDEA WITH NO ACTION IS NO BIGGER THAN THE BRAIN CELL IT OCCUPIES”. At which time I went to work at putting GOD’S wheels into action and was careful to not look back! I just wanted everyone to know a little about me and that I am here ready to serve the men and women of our great Corrections Family. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time- I am here for YOU!
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHAPLAINCY
During times of turmoil and war, mankind always looks to religion and religious figures for comfort. Both ancient and modern societies have turned to religion and communities have extended the comfort of religion to those serving in the heat of battle. Priests and other religious figures petitioned gods and spirits for victory in war. The Scriptures often refers to priests accompanying troops into battle. (see: Deut. 20: 2-4; Joshua 6: 2-5). The modern chaplaincy’s roots and origin are essentially in the medieval church. The word chaplain dates from this period. A fourth century story tells of the pagan Roman soldier called Martin of Tours. As Martin and his men were returning from the battlefield in the middle of a severe winter, they met a shivering beggar at the city gate of Amiens. Martin had compassion on the beggar. He cut his own cloak in two parts and gave one to the beggar. That night Martin had a vision of Christ wearing the beggar’s cloak. As a result, Martin converted to Christianity. Martin’s commitment to Christianity enraged Emperor Julian by saying, “Hitherto I have served you as a soldier; allow me now to become a soldier to God.” The Emperor later released him from the army. He was baptized and in 371, the people of Tours were so impressed by his holy life and miracles, they made him their Bishop. Martin of Tours later became the patron saint of France and his cloak, considered a holy relic, was carried into battle by Frankish kings. This cloak was called in Latin the “cappa.” Its portable shrine was called the “cappalla” and its caretaker priest, the “cappellanus”.
Eventually, all clergy affiliated with the military were called “capellani,” or in French, “chapelains, hence chaplains. The Council of Ratisbon (742), first officially authorized the use of chaplains for armies, but prohibited “the servants of God” from bearing arms or fighting. However, religious figures in this era often went into battle as fighting men with the army. The conflict between the religious function and the military role can be seen in the career of the patron saint of military chaplains, St. John Capistrano, who besides serving as a Church Diplomat led the army at the Battle of Belgrade in 1456. This European tradition extended to colonial America where the chaplain both fought alongside and ministered to his neighbors in the militia. The tradition in colonial America of the fighting chaplain began changing. After the Civil War, chaplains were no longer permitted to carry weapons. And today, chaplains are supposed to be issued a Geneva Convention Identity Card. Chaplains are ordained clergy, endorsed by their faith group to serve all people, regardless of religious or non-religious affiliation.
Gary Evans is a CPOF Field Representative serving both South Carolina and Alabama. He has been a part of CPOF since attending his first PROJECT 2000 event in 2003. You can learn more about Gary here. Gary can be contacted directly here. Chaplain’s Corner will be an article written by Gary and featured with cpof.org on a monthly basis.