Former Navy Chaplain Secures Another Victory for Religious Liberty - BOB ESCHLIMAN CHARISMA NEWS

Navy chaplain Lt. Cdr. Wes Modder (ret.) is ready for the next chapter in his life following his retirement with full honors. (First Liberty Institute photo)

Former Navy Chaplain Secures Another Victory for Religious Liberty

EDT 9/7/2016 BOB ESCHLIMAN  charisma news

U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr. Wes Modder once ministered to and counseled Special Operations warriors who defended America's freedom every day, but when the decorated Navy chaplain and former Marine faced a dishonorable discharge for simply doing his job, he needed a different kind of warrior on his side.

First Liberty Institute stepped in to defend Modder's religious freedom in a firestorm of controversy that caught the attention of the nation's media and political leaders. And, in the end, he was able to declare victory.

Tuesday, Modder's 21-year military career came to an end, not as a result of a court martial, or dishonorable discharge, but with a retirement ceremony held aboard U.S.S. Midway. He also received the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal for meritorious service to his country.

"I am so honored and humbled to have had the privilege of serving my country for the past 20 years," he said. "After such a difficult season, I am grateful to retire from the U.S. Navy with a clear and honorable record."

It could have ended very differently, though.

Modder, who served as Force Chaplain for Navy Special Warfare Command, came under fire after a few sailors objected to the biblical views he expressed during private counseling sessions. In response, the Navy removed him from his unit and threatened to end his career. 

Attorneys for First Liberty Institute, however, escalated the case to the highest levels of the Navy's command structure. As a result, the charges against Modder were dismissed and he was restored to full active duty.

"Chaplain Modder's victory was a not just a victory for him, but for everyone who serves in our military," First Liberty President and CEO Kelly Shackelford said.

Modder's next "duty station" will be Stone Church in Chicago, where he was recently hired to serve as lead pastor. He said he's excited about this latest opportunity the Lord has presented to him.

"I look forward to continuing to follow God's calling to champion the cause of religious liberty for every American."

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Embattled Navy Chaplain: 'God Has a Bigger Plan'

By Paul Strand

CBN News Washington Sr. Correspondent

Friday, April 17, 2015

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CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Lt. Commander Wes Modder is a Navy chaplain in danger of losing his career because of his Bible-based counseling. 

During his tenure he advised sailors from the perspective of an Assemblies of God minister. But after a few service members at his base complained about Modder's biblical views late last year, his commander asked the Navy to consider discharging the Modder just one year short of retirement.

Military chaplains aren't accustomed to being in the public spotlight.  And with the ordinary chaplain duties Modder performed at his naval base, he certainly never expected it.

"As far as me being surprised, initially you know I was shocked.  It's an unintended place that I'm in," Modder told CBN News.

Modder and some other conservative chaplains are in the crosshairs of a military that has rapidly swung from discharging homosexuals to now embracing gay marriage.

"It's really about culture colliding with truth," Modder said. "And so I know I'm the face and the focal point, but this is really about the culture being obedient to a holy God."

Now chaplains like Modder are having to fight for their own legal First Amendment rights, lest all military members lose them.

"We need to stand up for truth and religious liberty. We have to stand for that," he said.

His wife Beth says she hates to see her husband of 21 years face charges he was offensive, insulting and judgmental to some he counseled.

"It's hard to see him go through this," Beth Modder said. "You know, it's not in his character to be like these accusations say."

But she and their four kids are backing him in this battle.

"I don't want to over-spiritualize this," Chaplain Modder said. "I really believe I'm doing the will of God by standing my ground."

He's at peace, though, with the fact his Christianity may cost him his career.

"If it goes bad as maybe the world would see it, I believe that God has a bigger plan, bigger perspective on my life, and I'm putting my trust and my hope and my confidence in Christ Jesus," he told CBN News.

Chaplains are often seen as the very embodiment of religion in the military, so if the Navy decides to punish one of its chaplains for trying to faithfully represent his religion, many fear that will likely to send a chill through the heart of every service member and make them wonder whether practicing of their faith is safe.