CIU Today Spring 2017

Discovering God at the Ends of the Earth

By Dr. Brian Bohlman, CIU Professor of Chaplaincy

As I reflect back on my four years as a Columbia International

University seminary student, I will never forget the courses

taught by the late Dr. Terry Hulbert, distinguished professor

emeritus of Bible. As a skilled educator and frequent traveler to

the Holy Land, Dr. Hulbert had a natural gift for teaching and

using his travel experiences to help illustrate course content.

He easily held the attention of first-year seminarians which

instilled in me a desire to use my military chaplain experiences

as a teaching tool when I became an educator.

Since 2014, I have served as an adjunct professor at CIU

Seminary & School of Ministry and developed five new

Chaplaincy courses to complement our seminary program.

Along with retired Navy Chaplain, Dr. Michael Langston, I

have designed and taught CIU Chaplaincy courses based on

my years of service as a professional chaplain in a military and

civilian setting.

In December 2016, I returned from Operation DEEP FREEZE

where I served with the Air National Guard as a military

chaplain on the continent of Antarctica. During my tour of duty,

I was responsible for the emotional and spiritual well-being

of approximately 1,250 civilian and military personnel serving

at McMurdo Station, Scott Base, and the South Pole Station. I

provided pastoral care, opportunities for religious observances,

and advice to leadership through a ministry of presence, work

site visitation, counseling, crisis intervention/response and

worship services.

When I first stepped foot on Antarctica on Oct. 20, 2016, I knew

that I would be serving on the coldest, windiest, and driest

place on earth. However, what I did not know was how I would

discover God through people I served and at the amazing

places I visited at the ends of the earth.

Like my other military experiences, I have a fresh well of

illustrations to draw from when teaching. Among my unique

experiences while serving in Antarctica, the following will be

shared with my students:

1. Discover God as you build relationships with those

outside of the church.

The hours I spent providing a ministry

of presence

outside

of the Chapel of the Snows at McMurdo

Station, gave me access to amazing people and research

projects.

2. Discover God when you take a Sabbath from your

smartphone.

The absence of cell phone service and Wi-Fi

internet access in Antarctica allowed me to share meaningful

and undistracted conversations with many people during

meals. Being “disconnected” from my smartphone for two

months was good for my soul.

3. Discover God in the beauty of creation.

Hiking the hills

on Ross Island helped clear my mind and gave me a fresh

perspective on my faith journey. Praying at the South Pole

reminded me of Psalm 61:1-2 which says, “Hear my cry, O God;

listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I

call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher

than I.”

“When I first stepped foot on Antarctica

on Oct. 20, 2016, I knew that I would be

serving on the coldest, windiest, and

driest place on earth.”

–Dr. Brian Bohlman

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