Showing Honor to the Chaplins
"my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier"
“...welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor”
(Phil.2:25, 29)
I remember when Corey first reached out to me, expressing his desire to do ministry in New England. He and his wife Jamie were praying about where the Lord might lead them after seminary. In October of 2018, they came for a visit to learn about the ministry of Mount Hope Church in Bristol. Prior to their departure back to Kansas City, we prayed together at Independence Park, asking for God’s will to be done. To our delight, after much discernment and many conversations, the Chaplins made the move to Bristol in June of 2019.
Corey began his time with our church as a pastoral assistant. He jumped into our summer internship, started getting to know the people of MHC, and for all intents and purposes became my wingman. That continued as Corey soon became an elder and assistant pastor of our church. This all was a kindness and blessing from God. Particularly, it was a blessing because of who Corey is.
Appreciation is a common word. Common words easily become cheap. I prefer the word “honor.” To honor someone is to hold them up before others, to extol their character, and thereby give praise to God.
I honor Corey that he is a man who is steady and present. From day one, it was clear that Corey didn’t come to use our church as a stepping stone. He was never looking over the shoulder of a person he was talking to. He never looked beyond in a way that denigrated the present. He was steady and present wherever there was a need - even when the needs were beyond his reference point and comfort zone. There were more than a few times, we’d laugh together and say “They didn’t cover that in seminary, did they?” That’s how a lot of ministry goes. You get confronted with situations and challenges that you never imagined. But Corey was there - ready to serve, ready to help. In the difficult moments of pastoral care, Corey was there. And in the aftermath of those moments, when things get quiet and discouragement starts to creep in, Corey was there - ready to listen, ready to encourage. I am so grateful for my steady and present friend, my partner in ministry.
I honor Corey for his devotion to our church and the mission of serving in New England. Corey fundraised to make his position possible. He maintain his fundraising to make it possible for him to stay. Corey and Jamie made Bristol their home. They made Mount Hope Church their family. It was always music to my ears when they’d be on a fundraising trip, and Corey would say when they were “coming home.” This revealed a mindset that understood that “there are no unsacred places” (Wendell Berry); that you really can’t flourish and be fruitful unless you are rooted in a particular place with particular people. It’s a mindset that was rooted in a heart of loving devotion to Place. I’m thankful our church and town was that Place. From Jamie’s involvement in Bristol’s Christmas Committee to involvement in various outreaches and happenings, the Chaplins have been faithful members - not only of Mount Hope Church but the wider Bristol community. These past 5 years, Corey and Jamie have been invested, engaged, delightfully devoted - and because of that our church only grew to love them more and more.
Over the past 5 years, their family has grown, and they have personally grown. There’s been ups and downs. There’s been twists and turns that weren’t expected. A lot has happened. But through it all God has been faithful to continue the good work He’s begun. And now the Chaplins will begin the next chapter of ministry with anticipation that our faithful God will do even more than we can ask or think. I know that their devotion here will quickly translate into devotion there. And that’s because the Chaplins devotion goes deeper than place. Their devotion is to the God who sets the times and boundary lines for all our places.
Writing this was not without tears. I’m reminded of Paul’s goodbye to the elders in Ephesus in Acts 20. Luke records “there were many tears shed by everyone” (v.37). Our tears are evidence of love. Our tears also become reservoirs we draw from in the future. In a strange way, they strengthen us. Psalm 84:6-7 “As they pass through the Valley of Tears, they make it a source of spring water, even the autumn rain will cover it with blessings. They go from strength to strength; each appears before God in Zion.”
Let us give thanks to God for Corey and Jamie Chaplin. May they know that they are loved; that we are grateful. Their ministry has been a labor of love and our church has been enriched. We honor them now. May this tearful honor fill them with encouragement so that they would go on from strength to strength in this new chapter of ministry.
Corey, may you continue in that strength as you anticipate the day you’ll stand before Jesus, the Chief Shepherd - to hear His words of “well done, good and faithful servant.”
