Serving in a different capacity

Groundbreaking ceremonies for a new church in Granite Bay should take place any day, but the church will have to be built without its pastor. Pastor Billy Steen left his East Parkway Bible Church congregation, but not his pastoral duties. He'll be picking up many miles away.Steen was shipped out Friday with the 328th Combat Support Hospital Army Reserve Unit where he will be serving an 18-month order at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany as an Army Reserve chaplain.Steen and one other chaplain will be attending to the spiritual needs of approximately 450 patients at the German facility, many of whom are flown in with injuries from Iraq.Landstuhl is a permanent United States military installation located in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz, just a few miles south of Ramstein Air Base. It's the largest American hospital outside the United States."I have been in the Army Reserves for about 12 years," said Steen, a Rocklin resident and father of four. "My duties will be much the same as they are here except much more intense. With the kinds of injuries that have been sustained, things are traumatic. But we will care for everyone in every way we can."Steen said he has enjoyed being in the Reserves because he feels it is a sort of extension of his ministry. As a Reserve member he regularly participates in monthly drills and a two-week annual training session. While Steen is in a non-combative position as chaplain, and does not have any sort of weapons qualification, he does participate in all the military education aspects of the program."I enjoy the institution of the Army," he said. "It's because of the devotion to the country and because of the camaraderie of all the people. I think they'll always be financial incentives for some to keep coming back to the military, but I also think most people do it for a patriotic sense of service."Steen's unit is replacing another division that has already experienced several months overseas. When a unit is called to serve, members do not have a choice as whether to go or not. Steen said reservists are dedicated people and there are many leaving practices and businesses just as he is leaving his church. "We sent off the first group of our unit last week and it was hard to see those people leave their families, but the people I've talked with who have already returned from other units say it was the best job," Steen said.For Steen, the anticipation of the trip and going so far away did not frighten him, but instead gave him a deep sense of peace. Perhaps that peaceful feeling comes from knowing his church is in good hands under the guidance of two well-known and respected pastors, Lee Toms and Bob Hughes."People in the church have been so supportive," Steen said. "Our leadership has really stepped up. I think they are all honored to send me."Church elder Gary Gubitz is one of the 200-member congregation who is sad to see Steen go, but believes "God is doing something marvelous with Billy and for our church with his orders to leave."Gubitz is confident in the leadership abilities of both Hughes and Toms as the men bring a long, rich history of service and skills to the Granite Bay church."I think the impact on Billy's family is much greater and we will all make sure we help them as best we can," Gubitz said. "Everyone is using their gift to help in ways they may not have known was needed. I have a tremendous amount of hope that we will advance in his absence."Steen knows he's in for a lot of hard work with long shifts and patients dealing with physical, mental and spiritual issues. "Sometimes patients just need a hand to help them get over a hump," Steen said. "The work of a chaplain is so rewarding, but this will also be demanding. But it is opportune for a minister to be able to serve like this."Steen has been a church pastor for 22 years. He started with the First Parkway Bible Church when he was age 24. The church bought the parcel of land located on East Roseville Parkway more than eight years ago with various individuals working on permits and processes necessary for the building for the past four years.Plans are for a 32,000-square-foot facility to be built in three phases. Worshippers currently are meeting at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 914 Cirby Way in Roseville. For more information, call 781-2013. Susan Belknap can be reached at sbelknap@surewest.net.