Here I am Lord, Send Me...
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory to Him forever!!
It has been a long time coming, but the Lord has called me out of my comfort zone and into formation to serve those who are sick and/or suffering in our hospitals and clinics, and I am seeking your support via book sales and direct monetary support. This is a big life change after serving in the Marines from 2003-2007, then spending nearly 20 years in education. I enjoy education, but I love serving those going through the most difficult moments; a certain peace comes, and the Holy Spirit gives me the words (or the silence) that are needed. Who am I to not follow? As it turns out, the Lord has been leading me on this path for quite some time; it just took a bit longer than one would hope for me to hear His call! I truly believe he planted the seeds for this moment 16 years ago at my grandfather's bedside - at a time when I was stubborn non-believer.
The Seed Planted:
On November 4, 2010, I was with my grandfather during his final hours in the hospital. He was dying from complications related to dementia and MRSA, and a chaplain came in before life support was removed. I understood very little of what the chaplain said, as English was not his first language, and he left just as unceremoniously as he came in. However, for the first time in my life I knew, in a way I could not rationalize, that God was present in that moment. I had been around death and suffering many times, both inside my family and outside of it, but this was different. My grandfather passed into memory not 10 minutes later, and just like that - the second most important man in my life had entered his eternal reward. One would expect a deep sorrow in that moment; I had anticipated that for myself at least, but something quite different took place in my heart and mind; I experienced an unexpected hope and peace that began changing the direction of my life. That experience opened the door to the Christian faith, and 2 years later I was baptized and grafted into the body of Christ - the Church. Over the many years that followed, I grew in the human, spiritual, pastoral, and intellectual dimensions of my life and work. Oddly enough, through my own lack of examination, I would argue, I never made the logical connection that God had been working things out in His time for a mission I did not see coming. At least, not until I shared this with a friend who asked me, in an entirely unrelated conversation, if I "could do anything what would it be?" I answered: "to be a hospital chaplain, of course." Surprised by how absolute my answer was, he then replied: "What are you doing about that?" He then added: “It is kind of interesting that it was at a hospital where you first recognized God’s presence, and He may also be pointing you back there…” In that moment I knew what needed to happen, and I've been trying to figure that out rationally since - but this call is not something that can be entirely measured; I can work out the process and the numbers, but the reality is I need help from my brothers and sisters in Christ to make this happen.
Ah, the BIG ASK:
God certainly did work things out in His time - and now His time and plan He has for me have come, but I need your support to support my family and to make the pivot. I have been married for 20 years, have bills, kids in school or home care, and I have worked out some of the details on paid residency starting in late 2027; however, to get the necessary CPE completed as a prerequisite, I need to leave my full-time job (That is, if I actually want to be a present husband and father - which I do!). I am asking for your support to help me and my family make this change financially viable. I do not need assistance for anything beyond Spring 2028, as I will (God willing) be in a paid residency that following year which offsets some of the costs, and then (God willing - AGAIN) be employed as a fully certified Chaplain in early Summer 2028! I consider this a partnership, not a blind donation. For all who support me, I cannot offer much materially, but I will add your name to my morning prayer litany - so make sure to put your name! For those who offer a recurring donation, I will pray for you and yours every morning - that is my commitment to you for your support.
Alternative Support: In order to do everything I can to offset costs, I have finally started writing, having several books coming out in the next 1.5 years as arranged by my publisher. I highly value putting in the work and providing a return on investment; you supporting me through buying my book helps just as much, but I am also aware that theology books certainly do not have the scalable audience I would need to offset salary replacement. If you are able and willing, I would be honored if you felt that purchasing my book was an investment you were more comfortable with!
Basics of the Numbers Requested:
I am raising to a goal of ~$2,000/mo for the next 17 months. This number accounts for a residency that will pay $~35,000 for the 2027/28 CPE training year at Baylor Scott & White Health.
My book(s) and a link to donate are on my website here: https://www.michael-bracelin.com/
In Christ,
Michael Bracelin
