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Now I’ve spoken before groups of 3,000 and 4,000 people. I was nervous, yes, but I didn’t freak out or freeze. It is the power of what God has done in equipping me.
evaluation, the Navy called, but it wasn’t the call Robert awaited. He was told that his severe speech impediment had been noted and that the Navy needed to re-evaluate his potential for success as a chaplain. “I went into panic mode,” Robert said. “I thought, ‘I’ll never get in now.’” Back at the processing site a very intimidated Robert met with a high-ranking officer – a doctor with four stripes on his sleeve. The doctor asked Robert to read a page while he listened and took notes. “I stuttered throughout,” Robert said. “I was sure the captain would say, ‘No way.’ Instead, when I was done, he told me that my stuttering was very severe. But he also said, ‘I see a drive and determination in you to not let what you perceive to be a handicap stop you from doing what you are called to do. I’m going to recommend you as a Navy chaplain.’ I was accepted three and a half weeks later.”
“I will help you speak …” Robert’s life and career moved fast and furiously. He married (Suzanne), completed his master’s program, became a full Navy chaplain and acquired his first church. But his stuttering never improved. He laughs now about telling the parishioners of Modest Town (Va.) Baptist Church that he had a message for them if they’d just be patient until he finished preaching his sermon. And then he heard about the Precision Fluency Shaping Program, a short course aimed at helping persons who stutter. He doesn’t know how or where he learned about it, but he believes it was part of God’s plan to speak through him. “In three weeks, I learned the mechanics of 85 to 95 percent fluent speech,” he said. “Everyone saw improvement but at different levels. But you have to practice what you learn – always. Before I speak – while I’m sitting in a pew or wherever I am – I take deep breaths to prepare. When I’m tired, my speech may be worse, but I just have to think about what to do. Twelve years later, it is
second nature to me. Now I’ve spoken before groups of 3,000 and 4,000 people. I was nervous, yes, but I didn’t freak out or freeze. It is the power of what God has done in equipping me. The most relaxed and comfortable I feel speaking is when I am preaching. The pulpit is home for me.” Robert now holds two doctoral degrees
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his Old Testament passage, Exodus 4:10-12, helped Robert Carpenter find the strength to accept his calling to the ministry. Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The Lord said to him, “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” -New International Version
and is senior pastor of Talbot Park Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va. As a reserve officer, he has held numerous posts. He served in Quantico, Va., at the Marines’ Officer Candidate School and The Basic School, as well as the FBI Academy. Next came Submarine Squadrons Six and Eight in Norfolk, followed by service as executive officer at Marine Expeditionary Force Religious 106 in both Washington, D.C., and Quantico. It was during this time that he had the extreme honor of serving at Arlington National Cemetery. “I’ve had some great experiences in the military, but being chaplain at Arlington was one of the best. I never lost the awe of being part of that ministry. Every service is for a hero.” From 2005 to 2007, he served at Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C. He was selected for the rank of commander in 2006 and was promoted in 2007. In November of that year, he headed back to Norfolk as deputy surface force chaplain for the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. He’ll return to that post, as well as to Talbot Park Baptist Church, when his tour of active duty is completed in March 2010. Until that time, he will continue at Camp Lejeune. Life has not always been easy as Robert followed his calling. In 1999 he was tested – by the front end of a Ford F-250 that hit him from behind while he was jogging. His back was fractured in three places, and he faced the risk of paralysis for more than four months. His injuries have kept him stateside throughout the war but have not squelched his faith or his deep gratitude to the people and places – including the Cathy family, the WinShape Foundation and Berry College – that helped him follow his calling. “I have personally witnessed the honor and dedication our military personnel provide to the United States during this time of war,” he said. “They are heroes defending freedom, and I am honored and privileged to be their chaplain.” B
FALL 2009
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