Chaplains in the Military

The Aldersgate United Methodist Church will host a presentation tonight (Wednesday) that highlights the service of military chaplains through the years.

Presenters include Capt. John H. Lea III, who  serves as Force Chaplain, Navy Installations Command in Washington, D.C.; LCDR Joseph Koch, an ordained Roman Catholic priest assigned to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; and Lt. Genevieve Clark, an ordained United Methodist minister on her first tour assigned to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. 

The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. and will highlight the service of military chaplains with a general emphasis on Navy chaplains and a particular focus on the contributions of United Methodists.

Capt. John “Jack” H. Lea III grew up in Brick. He received a bachelor’s degree from Lycoming College, MDIV from Asbury Theological Seminary and an MPA from the University of Oklahoma. He has served 25 years in ships and with the Marines, including a tour in the Horn of Africa.

LCDR Joseph Koch is originally from India and completed his academic studies there. He is assigned to the US Merchant Marine Academy, and has previously served in Guam and Bahrain with the Marines, and in the USS John F. Kennedy.

Lt. Genevieve Clark is on her first tour assigned to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Dakota Wesleyan University and her MDIV from Candler Theological Seminary in Atlanta. She is an ordained United Methodist minister.

Also scheduled to attend is Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, of the Greater New Jersey Conference, United Methodist Church.

The free program is open to all and is scheduled to run until 8:30 p.m. For more information call 732-254-7361.