NASSAU, BAHAMAS – I recall the days when there seemed to be a dark cloud of heaviness hovering over HMBS Coral Harbor and many of its members appeared despondent, disconnected, disassociated and quite possibly disillusioned with the idea that there is a power that is greater than them, that this power required of
them and that they all had a duty to look after more than just their bodies, but that there was an equal
obligation to look after their minds and their souls. Strangely, life has this interesting way of letting us all
see some things if we live long enough and since January 12 2004, was just over 22 years ago; it means
that I am now senior enough to recall the days when the ship was saddled with a Prince that brought NO
Peace.
While I will admit my absolute ignorance as to why the military values having a Chaplain so much that it
wrote the appointment of one into the 1979 Act of Parliament, then gave the chaplaincy a very specific
set of functions, powers and privileges, to have and to execute; what I am aware of is, during my life’s
history I have witnessed the tenure of two Chaplains of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and similarly, I
am not entirely sure what were the considerations that went into picking the most recent past Chaplain,
but what I think we can all agree is certainly his appointment brought “A Ray of Hope” back to Coral
Harbor. I watch as he not only participated as their Chaplain but as their Military Operations Platoon
Pastor almost. He became one of them and appeared continuously to demand of them greater. He ran
beside them; marched among them, carried out operations with them and still ensured he prayed for
them and over them. In civilian language, Apostle Raymond Wells will go down in history quite possibly
as the most quintessential chaplain of the Force’s history; but among the men who serve, he will easily
be considered the tracer shot for chaplains to follow.
He was irregular, unordinary and seemingly inimitable. What Chaplain Wells accomplished in four years
is both the indescribable and the undeniable. He ‘Inspired’ the troops both through his actions and
deed. He ‘Mentored’ the broken and those that had lost faith in God and men like him who were
responsible for man’s soul salvation. Wells ‘Portrayed the Power that Participation has on the mind of
men of war.’ He did not merely bother himself with playing dress up, (which he would have been within
his right to do) instead, he participated in their evolutions, in their ceremonies, in their mess areas and
in their operations. He became something they could respect in a way that was so masterful that
simultaneously his voice became one they all seemed to involuntarily gravitate toward. Wells, was both
a part from them and apart of them all at once. Chaplain Wells was ‘Accessible’ and to my minds view,
he was in many instances so accessible that his visibility permitted us out side of Coral Harbor an
opportunity to see, watch and know the goings on of the organization. This accessibility, tore down
many invisible barriers that service members will never admit exist but that I have watched them
feverishly uphold over my 22-year involvement with the organization. Before Chaplain Wells, many of
my old battle buddies could honestly think of nothing more a Chaplain could do for their betterment
other than to get away from them, both in quick-time and at the high-port.
Editor, I assure you; “Ray’s Impact,” changed that. He was the people’s chaplain it seems and they all
were happy to own him. He proved to have a genuine ‘Concern’ for the organization and was careful
about learning the language, the ranks and rates as well as what each ribbon medal or dressing meant.
His concern for the organization however was only a mirror of his concern for those who serve. He
seemed to blend almost seamlessly his messages about what the organization needed from its men, while never letting it be lost that those same men also needed some key things from their organization.
He was a truth divider and a chaplain with a discerning spirit. It was as if he knew that the best way to
be sure he was praying for their problems correctly was to practice their protocols and participate in the
things they deemed painful, meaningful or operational, which are the only three languages the marine
speaks and understands.
Doctor Wells, was ‘Tactful and Trustworthy’ and marines knew they were safe with Ray! They knew that
there existed a space where they could go to decompress. A space that I am advised was often times
strategically set up for them; that was away from the base, away from the eyes, away from the
assumptions and from the criticism soldiers sometimes visit upon each other unnecessarily, when they
believe one of them have broken and needed to go cry on the Padre’s shoulder. Ray provided peace, he
provided comfort of mind all while restoring hope and belief in the chaplaincy. He mentored other
ministers, to be tentacles of the chaplain aboard the ship and at our detachment sites, knowing that
they could reach into areas he simply could not. Ray brought a calmness and a shepherd’s like anointing.
He brought a peaceful disposition with some kind of unspoken authority that was unfamiliar or unlike
what we saw in the past. Simply put, Ray brought hope and that hope impacted the ship in a meaningful
or dear I say a meritorious way.
Dear editor, he has transitioned now and the sun has set on his tenure as chaplain. He leaves in his
wake, a legacy that anyone who follows it would be bound for success. He leaves relationships mended,
accountability restored and he leaves a concept with a group of men that are all trained to kill; that
sometimes it is ok to not be ok and whenever you get there, your chaplain is a safe space to turn.(even if
all you want to do is cry on his shoulder)
The whispers of the wind have suggested to me that he has the Christian Counsel Presidency at the fore
of his mind these days. To that all I want to say is, the Prime Minister was right for choosing Ray to be
the military’s chaplain and I fully believe that the Christian church would do well to take the PM’s lead
on this and select Ray as their president as well.
You see Editor, some men just have that thing! The thing none of us can see, none of us can quite touch
and neither can we explain it but what we can equally also not do, is deny when we find someone who
has it. Doctor Wells is perfect for this position and while all 12 of the presidents past have brought
splendid things I am sure to the counsel over its history, I am of the view that Ray brings new hope. Ray
brings new light. More importantly, Ray brings new life!
Judging from his performance over the past 4 years, I believe that we may all very well be amazed over
the next 3 years, by the impact a Ray can have, over the church, over government policy, over Christian
mindset and messaging and on this nation.
Who knows, maybe like it did onboard Coral Harbor; “A Ray of Hope” may soon hit the Christian Counsel
and his name is Doctor Raymond K. Wells; an Englerstonian in whom I am well pleased.
Three cheers for this Minnie Street Boy!
