Bibles, Bullets & Borscht

Cdr. Glenn Brown, retired Navy chaplain, told God he wanted to make his final days count for Jesus Christ. He said to his Lord, "I don't know how to use this last segment of my life. I need your guidance. I am yours to send where you want me to go and to do what you want me to do." This was a risky prayer to make but Brown and his wife both agreed to it. The iron curtain had just come down in East Europe after the collapse of the Soviet Union. There was access into and out of the new emerging democracies released from the domination and tyranny of communism. This "unconditional surrender" to God took place in mid-1992. Shortly thereafter the Holy Spirit placed East Europe on their hearts as the region where God wanted to use chaplain Brown. But where in that vast region of multi-nations was he to go and what was he to do there? The Browns waited, hearing no specifics from God about place or mission through all of 1992. In the spring of 1993 people they didn't know and never new existed came into their lives. Dave Clark, a missionary in W. Ukraine, was working in the city of Mukachevo where a huge military complex was located. General Zoblotney, the installation commander, sent senior staff officers to invite Clark to come to his headquarters and demonstrate how American chaplains minister to military personnel. Clark explained he had never served in American armed forces and he had no idea how chaplains ministered. However, he said he would try to find a retired US military chaplain who might come and meet with the general. He called a well-known retired US army chaplain named Jim Ammerman who headed up an organization called CHAPLAINCY OF FULL GOSPEL CHURCHES. He let Jim know about General Zoblotney's request and Jim promised to join the search for a candidate. This book tells how God brought three strangers, Clark, Ammerman and Brown, together in General Bolotney's office on a warm spring day in 1993. Brown could scarcely believe his ears as the general extended an invitation for him to join his Command as an Advisor to demonstrate how American chaplains minster to military personnel. He knew this was his "Macedonian call". Where he was to go was now clearly revealed, Western Ukraine. What he was to do was also made known, to introduce Christianity into the Ukrainian armed forces. Brown quickly replied, "General Bolotney, I accept your offer. I shall first return home and take care of some urgent business. I must sell my house and get my wife relocated. Then I will return later this year and demonstrate how American chaplains minister to military personnel." For the remainder of the week the general opened up his entire command to retired chaplains, Brown and Ammerman. Troops were assembled for them to address, Bibles were passed out, questions were fielded. Brown and Ammerman returned home rejoicing. Brown returned to Ukraine in early November as he had promised the general. God blessed his ministry to the Ukraine military and then after several years led him to a wider, more diverse ministry to their civilian community. He helped established an orphanage, bought buildings that were converted to churches, ministered significantly to the Gypsy community, sponsored conferences for women, pastors and youth. Preached extensively in numerous churches. Gave aid to Ukrainian refugees from E. Ukraine. He has made 39 Mission trips to Ukraine over past 23 years and watched God surprise him with multiple miracles as a response to obedience. To God be the glory !!
About the Author: Brown was an Assemblies of God ordained minister for fifty-two years. Because of doctrinal differences he resigned in 2010 and became associated with Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches. A retired Navy chaplain he also served with the United States Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Brown went to Ukraine as a missionary following the collapse of the USSR to minister to the former communist troops. General Zoblotney, who commanded a large military complex in Western Ukraine, invited him to demonstrate how American chaplains serve in the US armed forces. That took Brown to Ukraine and he got involved in numerous other significant ministries there. He has made 39 Mission trips since 1993, completing the last one in 2016. Brown attended Trinity University and Univ. of Hawaii and graduated from Denver Univ. He is a graduate of Princeton Seminary and Denver Sem. as well as the Navy Senior Chaplains' School. He and his wife Donna live in Sequim, WA.