1. February 9, 2014
Dear Bishop Mueller,
I am pleased and excited to be recommending Pastor Scott Shafer for a
position within the United Methodists of Arkansas. In order for this to
make sense, I need to take a moment to describe myself. I am a retired US
Navy service member who had the pleasure to meet Pastor Shafer during my
last tour of duty at 3d Medical Battalion, Okinawa Japan. I am agnostic at
best, but my family is well versed in the Church. So, I have a great
respect for the good works that the Church has accomplished, but I temper
everything with a dose of skepticism as a whole. Yet, even with that
Pastor Shafer and I became close at work, and also developed a true
friendship. This came about solely due to the type of man that Scott
Shafer is.
Upon reading your mission statement, I realized that Scott is the type of
Pastor that you need in your organization.
• Developing Christian Leaders.
• Creating new places for new people by starting congregations and
renewing existing ones.
• Engaging ministry with the poor.
• Stamping out killer diseases by improving health globally.
Developing Christian Leaders
Pastor Shafer has had a very demanding and challenging Congregation. We
were both stationed upon the USS BLUERIDGE in Yokosuka, Japan, although at
different time periods. The BLUERIDGE has approximately 1000 personnel
assigned to the ship. This crew is as diverse as the United States itself.
Yet, Pastor Shafer was the one who there for them all. US Navy Chaplains
don’t get to go home at the end of the day, they are there 24/7 for all of
their flock. One aspect of what the USS BLUERIDGE accomplishes; is in its
role as the Commander U.S. 7th Fleet’s flag ship. One mission is to foster
goodwill through the Pacific. The BLUERIDGE provides Community Relations
in every port that it visits. The Chaplain Corps is the primary
coordinator of these events. In a given year, the BLUERIDGE visits 13
different countries and cities in the Pacific. Chaplain Shafer has touched
the hearts and minds of people in Hong Kong, Thailand, Russia, Korea, and
many more. There are very few men who can stand that type of pressure,
but, there Pastor Shafer stood.
Creating new places for new people by starting congregations and renewing
existing ones.
Pastor Shafer came into 3d Medical Battalion after the job was gapped
for about 7 months. He walked into a position that was hollow and not well
defined. He changed all of that. Pastor’s engaging and unique approach to
the Sailors and Marines under is charge was exactly what the command
needed. He had a very strict open door policy and was there to give
blessings and benedictions at every event. Pastor Shafer also, was there
for the hard times. Many a Sailor and Marine came to him when they needed
spiritual guidance.
Engaging ministry with the poor.
Pastor Shafer was instrumental in creating a relationship with the
AmerAsian School of Okinawa (AmerAsian). The AmerAsian school is composed
of primarily single Japanese mother’s with bi-racial children from American
Service Members. Unfortunately, due to the political issues between the
Okinawan and US government, the school and children are often given the

2. short end of the stick, both financially, and the children emotionally.
Shafer saw a need and filled the gap. He established an afterschool
program that assists the children in their studies. More importantly, he
was the point of contact for Principal Midori Thayer, if any issues arose
with any Sailors or Marines who came to volunteer from around the island.
Stamping out killer diseases by improving health globally.
Pastor Shafer worked with 3d Medical Battalion in Okinawa Japan. The
mission of 3d Medical Battalion is to provide healthcare to the Sailors and
Marines of the III Marine Expeditionary Forces (III MEF). III MEF has
approximately 18,000 Marines and Sailors attached to it. Pastor Shafer is
no stranger to the concerns and difficulty of promoting positive health
choices.
In closing, I personally asked Pastor Shafer to give the dedication at
my retirement ceremony. As I stated before, I am agnostic at best. But,
Pastor Shafer’s character and his true conviction of faith, impressed me
and I realized he is the real deal. I was honored to have him bless my
family and me as I started that first step out of the military.
Pastor Scott Shafer has my strongest recommendation for a position within
the United Methodists of Arkansas. He is an invaluable addition to your
Family.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at XXXX@XXX.
Sincerely,
Rodrick Cannon