Sept. 25 was more than a beautiful fall Sunday in central Pennsylvania. Calvary Baptist Church of Jersey Shore was walking through this Sunday with mixed emotions. They were about to commission their assistant pastor for ministry with the United States Army. Over 13 years earlier, Chaplain John Murdoch had met Ryan Schildroth while ministering at Calvary Baptist Church in Union, Iowa. Ryan was in high school, and his father had brought him to meet Murdoch, since Ryan felt that God was calling him to serve in military chaplaincy. “We began a journey together,” says Murdoch, “that allowed us to walk through his final years of high school, college, seminary, marriage, internship, ministry experience, birth of Hannah, ordination, the application process, and now his commissioning to Army chaplaincy from his home church.” The next day Ryan, Rachel, and Hannah left for their first station on active duty: Fort Brag, N.C., where Ryan will serve with the 82nd Air Borne Division.
Calvary had fallen in love with this dear family, and the feeling was mutual. Both were excited about the future; however, the conclusion of Ryan’s ministry at Calvary was bittersweet for everyone. The good news for both is that though the Schildroths were being sent forth for chaplaincy, they are still members of Calvary and will be accountable to their sending church during their years of ministry to the military.
“It was a joy to be a part of this commissioning service, as well as being a part of their journey to the field of ministry the Lord has given them,” says Chaplain Murdoch. “Please keep both Calvary Baptist Church and the Schildroth family in your prayers as they each adjust to the days ahead.”
