Chaplains themselves are not immune to separation stresses. “Over the last seven to eight years, the average chaplain has been away from his family for three years, including training exercises and deployment,” Peterson stated. “Many issues arise, which is one of the reasons we aggressively solicit prayer support.”

One of Peterson’s goals has been “to strengthen the connection between the chaplaincy and the church”—building awareness throughout the PCA of the impact of chaplains and opportunities to enhance their ministry. “We’re not where I would like us to be, but we have come a long way,” he said.

The Guardian, an informational prayer calendar, goes to each PCA congregation and about 1,200 individuals. Peterson also has actively enlisted churches to support individual chaplains, financially and with prayer. “At least 95 percent of our chaplains have three church sponsors, which has been our goal. This has significantly strengthened the effectiveness of the chaplains’ ministry.”

Peterson will be succeeded by Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Doug Lee, who brings impressive credentials for military chaplaincy leadership. In addition to continuing to raise the $350,000 annual budget and recruiting quality chaplains, Lee will face a special challenge: teaching chaplains how to minister in a pluralistic environment without compromise.

“Sometimes the name of Jesus Christ is not politically correct, so chaplains must maintain a delicate balance while continuing to minister in accordance with the teachings of their sending denomination,” Peterson said. “We’re hoping to develop an annual retreat for chaplains and their families, to address this issue, and to feed them spiritually.”

Peterson, 67, will remain active after leaving his PCA post. He serves as chairman of the board of the International Association of Evangelical Chaplains, assisting foreign nations in developing and training chaplains. And he anticipates spending more time with his 13 grandchildren, as well as being available for interim pastoral work within the PCA.

Looking back over his tenure, Peterson views it as a classic example of “good providence.”

“We have unending opportunities for evangelism, discipleship, worship, and modeling a Christian worldview. And since we are classified as a liturgical denomination, we have opportunities to send even more chaplains—maybe even twice as many as we have now—especially in the Army.

“What a great society we have—even though it has become so secular and postmodern. The government allows us to send chaplains into government institutions, ultimately paying us to preach the gospel!”