Writer & Photographer / Julie Yates
The Paul W. Strickland Chaplaincy Merit Award presented to Greenwood resident Rev. Dr. John “Jack” Gleason at the American Baptist Churches (ABC) USA summit in Overland Park, Kansas, this past June is tangible evidence of over 50 years of heeding the call of ministry through counseling.
Gleason’s career has included pastoring two churches, serving as a clinical chaplain in four states, being a pastoral educator in four regions and being a commissioned ABC USA missionary. He has also been an ABC director of chaplaincy services, vice president of the congress on ministry in specialized settings and chair of the endorsers’ council for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy.
This latest recognition, awarded every two years, commemorates “faithful and effective pastoral and spiritual care in an institutional setting.” It is a fitting tribute since Gleason was not only a chaplain himself but oversaw the education and authorization of hundreds of other pastoral counselors.
Early Church Foundations
A Greenwood resident since 2005, Gleason was born in St. Louis, Missouri. His family was deeply immersed in the Baptist Church, and he was baptized at age eight. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a business degree in marketing.
Since he was ROTC commissioned, he then served six months of active duty in the Army. In the meantime, his parents moved to Washington, D.C. Upon entering the Army reserves, he rejoined his family and began working for the Washington D.C. phone company.
During his college and Army years, he was not a regular church attendee. One Sunday, he happened to go to church with his family and looked up at the choir loft.
Gleason relayed, “I saw a light streaming down upon an angelic face.” He eventually joined the church, and that choir member later became his wife of 56 years, Marie. While a member, he became one of the youngest deacons in the history of the church and also began to feel the call to ministry.
Heeding the Call
Gleason and his wife left Washington, and he entered the Louisville Seminary where he earned a master of divinity degree. One of the churches he pastored was actually a mission in an economically depressed area. Under his leadership, the membership grew and reached enough financial stability to become a full-fledged church.
At that point through the influence of mentors and examples of clergy he admired, he became drawn to the idea of becoming a clinical pastor. He applied for an internship at Georgia’s Central State Hospital and later was hired as a chaplain.
As his career continued to unfold, he found himself drawn to the education, supervision and accrediting of chaplains and pastoral counselors. In the midst of a busy and demanding profession, he also found the time to raise two children and write over 30 published journal articles as well as six books. In addition, he acquired both a master of theology and a doctor of ministry degree.
Importance of Mentors
Gleason offers this advice, “Don’t ever think that you don’t need a mentor. Finding a mentor is something you can’t make happen. It is directed by the Holy Spirit. Just be on the lookout and keep your eyes open.” In fact, the Paul W. Strickland Award that Gleason received was named after one of his many mentors.
When asked which of his several accomplishments throughout his long career he was most proud of, Gleason said modestly, “What I’m most pleased of is the moments where I felt I made a genuine connection and truly helped someone while counseling them.”
