wfn.org | CRC Chaplain Receives Award

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> CRC Chaplain Receives Award

April 27, 20010 -- The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) presented 
its 2010 Distinguished Service Award to Chaplain (Col) Herman Keizer, Jr., who 
recently retired as director of chaplaincy for the Christian Reformed Church.
This award is presented annually to an individual or organization in 
recognition of significant contributions in promoting standards of professional 
chaplaincy or in the advancement of clinical chaplaincy. It was presented to 
Keizer during the 2010 APC?s Annual Conference in Schaumburg, Ill.
The APC noted that Keizer had a distinguished 34-year career as a chaplain in 
the Armed Services and spent two more years serving the U.S. State Department. 
Commissioned as a chaplain in 1968, his assignments included deputy director of 
the Chaplaincy Service Support Agency and later executive director, Armed 
Forces Chaplains Board, Department of Defense in Washington, DC; command 
chaplain, United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany; and military 
assistant to the ambassador at-large for international religious freedom.
In accepting the award, Keizer said, "I have dedicated my entire ordained ministry 
of 42 years to ensuring that chaplains maintain professional competence by keeping 
current, proficient, and rooted in their faith community. I believe that competence is a 
moral and ethical imperative for professional chaplains."
During the 1990s, when Keizer was command chaplain of the United States 
European Command, his leadership led to the establishment of chaplains in 
Central European nations, the forging of cooperation between chaplains in the 
North American Treaty Organizations and three highly successful European?North 
American chiefs of military chaplains conferences.
"I have tremendous respect for how God works in this world,? Keizer says. ?As part 
of my European command, I worked to re-establish chaplaincy in countries of the former 
Soviet Union. If you had told me early in my career that I would stand in uniform in Red 
Square without having fought a war, I never would have believed it."
After retiring from the Army in 2002, Keizer served as director of chaplaincy 
ministry for the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) until March, 2009. As director 
of around 100 CRC chaplains in a variety of settings, Keizer worked hard to be 
a chaplain to them and their families. He also worked tirelessly to tell their 
stories and to advocate for them to be recognized as being on par with other 
ministers.
Keizer received a master?s in sacred theology from New York Theological 
Seminary; a master?s in education from Columbia University Teacher's College; 
and completed course work and certification from Columbia University Teacher's 
College for a doctorate in education. He was ordained as a minister in the 
Christian Reformed Church in 1968.
Keizer's awards include the Superior Honor Award from the United States 
Department of State. He received 45 decorations from the military, including 
the Purple Heart. He was called out of retirement three times to continue 
serving his church and nation.
APC is a multifaith nonprofit organization of chaplaincy care providers 
endorsed by faith groups to serve persons in need, respecting their individual 
cultures and beliefs, in diverse settings throughout the world.
The association seeks to promote excellence in chaplaincy care through 
education, research, standards of practice, support of members and by promoting 
public support for professional chaplaincy. It also certifies chaplains 
according to established national standards through its affiliate, the Board of 
Chaplaincy Certification Inc. APC has about 4,000 members, including 
professional April 23,
chaplains serving persons in spiritual need in diverse specialized ministry 
settings throughout the world, such as hospitals, long-term care, hospice, 
correctional institutions, the military and mental health. APC members 
represent more than 150 faith groups.
For additional information, visit www.professionalchaplains.org.

> ?Association of Professional Chaplains