Virgil Fry received the 1995 Distinguished Alumni Citation from Abilene Christian University on March 24, 1996. He received his B.A. and M.S. degrees from ACU in the mid seventies, his Clinical Pastoral Education training at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas in 1976, and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Austin Presbyterian Seminary in 1993. Virgil began work as Chaplain at M.D. Anderson Hospital in 1985. Since then thousands of patients and family members have been blessed by his gentle ministry in the spirit of Christ. As author of pamphlets and articles on care for the ill, through video tape ministry, as adjunct professor at our Christian universities and as mentor for university student interns Virgil´s ministry has touched thousands more. Virgil has provided professional leadership and direction for the Chaplaincy program corresponding leadership among volunteers.

Fry Awarded 25 Year Certificate
Dr. Virgil Fry, Executive Director of Lifeline Chaplaincy, was awarded a 25 year certificate from the Association of Professional Chaplains at their recent national convention in Dallas. This organization, headquartered in Illinois, is the national accrediting body for most hospital and institutional chaplains. Dr. Fry achieved Associate Member status in 1986.


Pepperdine Graduate Course
Dr. Virgil Fry served as Adjunct Professor for Pepperdine University's Religion Division the first two weeks of June 2006. While on campus in Malibu,California, he taught a course entitled "Ministry in Times of Crisis." In addition, Dr. Fry is a guest editor for an upcoming Leaven Journal on Ministry in Crisis Times. This edition has 9 articles, plus book reviews, and it will be released in September to coincide with the one-year anniversary of 9/11/01.

ACU Honors the Frys
Virgil and Caryl Fry were honored with the Christian Service Award at a ceremony May 7, 2006 at the First Colony Church of Christ in Sugar Land, Texas. The Christian Service Award honors Christian service and dedication to ministry through Abilene Christian University. Dr. Royce Money, Abilene Christian University’s president, presented the award to the couple Virgil, who is the executive director of Lifeline Chaplaincy in Houston, Dallas and Central Texas.

Caryl is a 1974 graduate of ACU and was an elementary school teacher in the Houston area for nearly 25 years. She was honored with a Change the World Award from ACU in 2006 for Christian leadership in educational settings. Caryl went to be with our Lord in September 2007.

"A Conversation With Virgil Fry" featured in the December 2006 Christian Chronicle, an international publication of the Churches of Christ Article.

Read 21st Century Christian Magazine about Virgil's book: Rekindled: Warmed By Fires of Hope.

A MUST READ: Angels of Hope