President Barack Obama has nominated the Rev. Dr. Daniel L.
Gard, an LCMS chaplain in the U.S. Navy Reserve and professor of
Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., to
serve as a rear admiral (lower half) in the role of
deputy chief of chaplains for Reserve Matters, U.S. Navy.
Gard's
nomination as rear admiral, the highest rank for a chaplain in the Navy Reserve,
must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon E.
Panetta announced the promotion, along with several others, Feb.
14.
Gard said he is humbled by the opportunity that awaits him.
"To be a pastor is the greatest honor a person can have and then to
have been sent in uniform to minister to America's magnificent men and women who
risk all for freedom is a privilege beyond what I deserve," he said. "All I can
say is 'Soli Deo Gloria' -- to God alone be the glory!"
Gard is
completing a tour of duty as Joint Task Force Guantanamo chaplain, Joint Task
Force, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He will resume his seminary teaching duties during
Holy Week. He also is the dean of Military Chaplaincy Programs at Concordia
Theological Seminary (CTS).
"Dr. Gard's service to this seminary, the church at-large and to his country
has been exemplary and provides an excellent example of a good and faithful
servant of Jesus Christ," said CTS President Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr. in a
seminary news release.
Gard asked for prayers that he be a "faithful
servant of our Lord."
"God has blessed me with a wonderful wife and
family and with the support of a unique community of faith, study and prayer at
Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne," he said. "There we have a mission
that is unequaled in this world -- to form servants in Christ Jesus to teach the
faithful, reach the lost and care for all."
To read the U.S. Navy's release about Gard, click here.
http://reporter.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=20881
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