Rev. Kai Chur (STH’16) Becomes Navy Chaplain
This article is provided courtesy of the Navy Chaplains and Chaplain Nathan Solomon, Director of Strategic Communications, Chief of Navy Chaplains.
Trust the Process
A Cape Cod native has completed training as a Navy Chaplain. Lieutenant Junior Grade Kai Chur (STH’16), China native and Cape Cod Massachusetts resident, recently graduated from the Naval Chaplaincy School in Newport, Rhode Island. He is a graduate of Boston University School of Theology and an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. Chur will report to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton where he will serve as an infantry battalion chaplain in the First Marine Division.
His desire to serve as a chaplain was sparked by a chance encounter with a Marine in a Walmart parking lot. As he and the person parked next to him were loading groceries, an extremely loud bang rang out throughout the lot. Chur explained the man was paralyzed with fear, gripping his truck and visibly shaking. Chur went over to help calm the distressed man. Within a few minutes, he was calm enough to thank Chur for his assistance and continue on his way. Chur said the experience weighed heavily on his heart, stirring a desire to serve members of the military.
“Lord I want to help those people, someday open a door for me so I can be one of them and serve them,” he prayed. His prayer was answered, but it was not immediate. More than eight years later, Chur began his journey to become a Navy chaplain.
“Life is a journey of trusting God,” Chur said. “For those who have a desire to serve in this capacity, pray and wait for God to direct you. If you have heard the call of God to become a chaplain but you are hesitant, be bold and trust the process because God’s timing and calling for your life is perfect.”
Navy Chaplains provide religious ministry to their own, facilitate for the religious needs of other faiths, and care for all Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. There are more than 800 Navy Chaplains from more than 100 different religious organizations and are deployed world-wide with Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard commands.