Chaplain Reynolds Retires from National Missionary Position

As of September 30, 2004, the North American Mission Board's (NAMB) national missionary for Chaplaincy Development and Recruitment has retired. Chaplain Jerry D. Reynolds announced his plans to retire from missionary status in early September. His wife, Sherry, who served by his side under appointment as a family and church missionary, also leaves her position. She will continue serving as a public school educator with the Georgia State Board of Education.

The Reynolds began service as national missionaries in January 1997. Working from their home in Jonesboro, Ga., Jerry touched the lives of most military chaplain candidates and a host of other seminary students who followed God's call into the wide variety of chaplaincy ministries in which Southern Baptist are engaged.

Jerry made annual trips to seminaries for recruiting purposes and to mentor military chaplain candidates. Together, Jerry and Sherry represented chaplaincy at many "On Mission Celebrations" hosted by local churches and associations. Jerry also filled the role of associate on the Chaplaincy Team during several transition periods in these positions.

Jerry was superb in one-on-one contact with so many people. He was known to ask a police officer for the name of their chaplain, or to drop in on a hospital to see if they had a chaplain on their staff. All these conversations had the goal of encouraging the development of chaplaincy with various institutions.

Jerry began his ministry in chaplaincy with the Army on May 12, 1969. His first endorsement certificate is signed by Geo. W. Cummins, who was the second Director of Chaplaincy for the Southern Baptist Convention.

Jerry is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University, where he also completed ROTC and received his first commission with the Army in 1963. Jerry completed the M.Div. degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1969. Jerry was ordained on August 23, 1967, at First Baptist Church, Merkel, Texas, which is where he made his profession of faith in 1953. While in seminary, from 1967 to 1969, Jerry was pastor of Direct Baptist Church, Sumner, Texas.

Commissioned through the ROTC in 1963 as an adjutant general officer, Jerry returned to active duty as a chaplain in 1969. He served in Vietnam with the Ninth Infantry Division, earning three awards of the Bronze Star Medal. His assignments also included Ft Lewis, Wash.; Ft Sam Houston, Texas; Ft Bragg, N.C.; 1st Armored Division, Germany; Ft McPherson, Ga.; Personnel Systems Coordinator, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, and Staff Chaplain, V Corps, Germany.

He rose to the rank of colonel during his years of service. Throughout his career, he distinguished himself by his pastoral concern and his sacrificial service to his troops. In February 1985, Chaplain Reynolds was honored to receive "The Company of the Hall of Heroes Gold Medallion" from the Chapel of Four Chaplains in Philadelphia.

Jerry and Sherry are the parents of two adult sons, Joel and Jamie. The Reynolds will reside in Jonesboro, Ga.

On September 27, 2004, a reception in honor of Jerry and Sherry Reynolds was held at NAMB. A notebook of remembrance letters from staff members was presented to the missionaries. Chaplains are welcome to submit a letter of remembrance and appreciation for Jerry's book. Letters should be sent to the Chaplaincy Evangelism Team, North American Mission Board, 4200 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, Ga. 30022.