This year has been a particularly significant one for Arthur Branner. Pastor of the Fairfield church and military reserve chaplain, Branner was recently called to active duty in Iraq for 18 months. Before his Nov. 8 departure to Iraq, Branner was ordained as a minister of the gospel on Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Fairfield church.
The ordination service held great meaning for Branner. “It has been one of my greatest dreams and fulfillments,” he said. “I have been looking forward to this for a very long time. To me, there is no greater thing in the world than to be an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist church.”
Conference officials were equally excited about the occasion. “It was a joy to be part of Pastor Branner’s ordination,” said Jim Pedersen, executive secretary of the Northern California Conference. “I have appreciated Arthur’s passion for the gospel. That passion will serve him well as he ministers to those in the military.”
Ralph Robertson, director of the NCC ministerial department, agrees. “I have come to appreciate Pastor Branner’s gentle and kind approach to ministry. His earnest devotion to Jesus and his passion for souls will empower him as a military chaplain. We pray for his mission, his family and his safe return.”
Church members also plan to keep him in their prayers. “The ordination ceremony was a lovely, prayerful occasion,” said Chevelle Watson, clerk at the Fairfield church. While the members were excited for their pastor on this occasion, the church is going to miss him greatly. “We were sad to see him go under the circumstances, but we know that God has a plan for him. We are continuing to pray for him and his family.”
Branner is ready to answer God’s call to Iraq. He considers his move to Iraq as a transition into a different phase of his personal ministry. “I truly feel that the two most important positions in the army are the medic and the chaplain,” said Branner. “While the medic works on the physical injuries, the chaplain works on the injured souls to make sure they are equipped to make the most important decision of their lives before they die. I count it a privilege to be there to support the troops.”
Regardless of people’s personal feelings about the war, Branner knows his primary role in Iraq is to minister and is grateful for the opportunity to serve in this manner. Of course, he knows it will not always be easy. “I am definitely going to miss my family,” he said.
His wife, Esmie, initially struggled with the news of her husband’s call to Iraq. One particular morning she earnestly sought the Lord in prayer, as she was still uncertain about God’s will for her husband.
“I sought the Lord because I felt like it was such a sacrifice to let my husband leave,” said Esmie. “I was pacing up and down and praying fervently to God. Just then, Colonel Michael Wells, the man who trained my husband for ‘soldier readiness’ called to tell me, ‘I just want to thank you. Your husband is an amazing man, and we can’t go without him; he has blessed us just in the short time that we have known him. We want to thank you for your sacrifice.’”
Those were the words Esmie needed to hear. Wells’ phone call had been an answer to her prayer of despair; she felt the Lord’s presence and peace dispelled her uncertainty.
“Right then and there, I prayed, ‘Lord, my husband is in your hands. I know what I must do. I have to stand back, and let God,’” said Esmie. “That’s where my peace is. My duty is to walk uprightly and wait for my husband to come home.”
