We want to particularly thank Jeff Bailey and Bill Powell for their leadership in helping Lifeline-Central Texas become a reality.The ministry will serve Scott and White Hospital in Temple as well as several Austin hospitals. “It will be our most unique ministry in terms of the area it covers,” said Dr. Virgil Fry, Executive Director. The person selected to serve as chaplain is Tom Nuckels who has served for the past thirteen years as minister for the Elgin Church of Christ, an Austin-area congregation. He also currently serves the Elgin Church as an elder. Tom brings years of experience and education to the role. Educated at Sunset International Bible Institute, Tom received a BS degree from Regents College in Albany, NY, and his MS in Ministry from Pepperdine University. He has completed two units of CPE (chaplain’s education courses) work. A former missionary to Colombia, Tom speaks fluent Spanish, a skill that will serve him well in his new role with Lifeline. He also brings with him experience as an on-call chaplain at Scott and White Hospital in Temple. For the past six months, he has also served part-time in the work of development with Lifeline Chaplaincy. Before his selection, Tom was interviewed by representatives of Central Texas-area churches.

“Tom has a real heart and talent for this kind of ministry,” said Dr. Fry. “One of his major strengths is that he is familiar with the area and has already established relationships with some of the chaplaincy departments of the hospitals the ministry will serve.”

The ministry will have dual offices, one in Temple and one in Austin. Office space has been secured near the Veterans’ Hospital in Temple. In Austin, the Austin Graduate School of Theology has graciously donated office space in its new facility.

Status Report 3-20-08