Ministry in the Military an Interview with Army Chaplain Byron Denman
The CGGC has an interesting and tumultuous history with the armed forces of
the United States. At the outset, John Winebrenner was rather against war and even called civil wars “sinful,” saying that “saints of the Most High ought never to participate.” Yet, Winebrenner and many of the early CGGC leaders were staunch abolitionists, and when the American Civil War broke out, Winebrenner’s pacifism became less popular within the church for quite understandable reasons. Many felt that that the war was a regrettable, but ultimately necessary way to bring about their abolitionist aims. To this day, the CGGC doesn’t have a clear and guiding principle about war or the military like Winebrenner did. But one thing is clear, the CGGC has chosen to support and sponsor military chaplains who might be ambassadors for Christ, extending His love, care, and sacrifice even to places the church might not otherwise dare to tread. The GLC is fortunate to have an Army chaplain of its very own. Chaplain Byron Denman is a licensed pastor of the GLC and served as pastor at Hopewell First Church of God for a while before moving into full time chaplaincy. We’ve had the pleasure to ask Chaplain Denman a number of questions about his role, and the impact God is making through him. 8 January/February 2024