Serving God and Country

Time was running out. Susanna easily met the education and ministry requirements with a Master in Theology and many years of service in the ministry, but the cut-off age was forty, and she was already thirty-nine. The qualification process itself could take between nine and eighteen months. But time was not the only issue. Only thirtythree out of eighty applicants would be chosen. As the last step in a long and grueling interview process, Susanna had been interviewed by the Chief of Chaplains Accessions and other senior military leadership personnel, including a colonel from the Pentagon, in San Antonio, Texas. Three days later, word came. Susanna Haynes was officially selected to serve as a 1st Lieutenant Chaplain in the United States Air Force.

Susanna was commissioned on June 8th, 2019, and reported for active duty in Alabama on June 9th for five weeks of COT, Commissioned Officer Training. “That’s boot camp for officers,” she explained. With the emotional and mental part of the application process behind her, she began the physical challenge of boot camp. “All candidates are expected to pass a physical fitness test, which consists of one-minute of push-ups, one minute of sit-ups, and a 1.5 mile run,” said Susanna. “We got up early at 0430 every day and did a lot of marching while being yelled at. I ate fast and learned the customs and courtesies of the Air Force. It was quite an experience but an important part of my training to becoming a better airman.”

On July 12, she graduated from COT and three days later reported for duty at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. She was there only long enough to move into her living quarters and set up her office before returning to Alabama to attend a six-week Basic Chaplain’s Course. “There were a lot of exams to pass in order to continue,” said Susanna. “The Air Force takes pride in both fitness and academics.”

Even though she had been out of high school for many years, it didn’t hurt that the 1998 Vidalia Comprehensive High School graduate ran track and played soccer and softball. In fact, she was picked as “Most Athletic Female” of her high school. More importantly, the spiritual foundation that was laid in her life as a child now gave her strength to fulfill her commitment of service to God and country.

“I was born into ministry,” said Susanna. It was never something she despised or from which she rebelled but rather considered as an honor. “My father was the founder and pastor of New Vision Missionary Baptist Church.” Willie Haynes was also Toombs County Chief Tax Assessor for many years. As a bi-vocational minister, he was able to be a part of the workforce in his community while also serving as a minister. “He had a very strong work ethic. I never knew him to be without a job,” said his daughter.

Susanna was well prepared for the academic challenges of a new career. After high school, she had attended East Georgia College and graduated in 2001 with an Associate of Arts in English. She then attended Georgia State University graduating in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and minor in Speech. From 2009 to 2012, she attended Emory University, Candler School of Theology, where she obtained a Master of Divinity. During her first two years at Emory, she volunteered as a chaplain at the Genesis Women’s Shelter in Atlanta. During her last year, she was chosen from hundreds of applicants to fill one of six positions as a chaplain intern at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Throughout high school and college, teachers and professors alike recognized Susanna’s gift of leadership. But it was her attitude of joy and hands-to-the-plow work ethic that made way for her gift. One such teacher was Terri Humphrey, now a dear friend and longtime mentor. “Terri Humphrey has always been there for me. Not because I didn’t have a great family for support. I did,” said Susanna. “But she would travel to watch me play sports. She even came to my swearing-in ceremony. To this day, she sends me cards. She’s always sending me something to let me know she’s thinking of me.” When Mrs. Humphrey retired from teaching in 2016, Susanna was asked to speak at her retirement ceremony.

It was a recommendation from one of her professors that offered Susanna the opportunity to serve as a youth pastor in South Korea after graduating from Emory. “Dr. Noel Erskine was this awesome professor. I got to really know him when he took my class on a mission trip to Jamaica.” It was on this trip that Susanna got the opportunity to share with her professor her dream of one day traveling the world and preaching the gospel. “He never forgot it,” she said.

While in South Korea visiting the church of a former student, the professor was asked if he knew anyone who could help him with the youth. The professor said, “I have the perfect girl.” When he returned to America, he sent Susanna an email. “I was getting ready to graduate,” she said. “His email said, ‘I prayed much about this opportunity for you, and I would not have recommended you to a setting that is not worthy of your commitment.’”

Susanna didn't have to apply for a position. She didn’t have to make a phone call or send a resumé. The respect of her former professor was all the recommendation needed. When she left home for South Korea, she said, “I walked away from everything I had ever known. I left my apartment, my furniture, my car, my job, even my clothes. I just trusted God would provide for me when I got there.”

Susanna served as youth pastor at the 2,000 plus member Good Samaritan Methodist Church in Incheon, South Korea, for three years. Each week, her Sunday messages to the youth were translated by volunteer Korean students. She also preached in the slums and taught English to children in acute poverty.

In 2015, Susanna learned that her father had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She returned home to help care for him and assisted him in ministry. She also volunteered as a chaplain at Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia. Unsure as to what the future might hold, she took the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exam and passed, which enabled her to officially teach English as a Second Language.

In 2016, Susanna’s father passed away. Filled with a deep grief, she said, “I continued to serve in my ministerial role to the congregation until God sent the current pastor, Rev. Willie Edwards, Jr. to take up the mantle.” In 2017, she was hired as Clinical Chaplain at the Emanuel Women’s Facility in Swainsboro, Georgia, and became a bi-vocational minister just like her father.

When Susanna returned home from South Korea, one of the first people she visited was another mentor and friend, Steve Weeks, the former Director of the Vocational Department at Vidalia High School. “I visited Mr. Weeks often for guidance at his business in Vidalia, Steve Weeks Financial Services, where he offers free financial counseling service. After my father passed away, he suggested I consider military service. But at the time, I wasn’t ready to listen. My father had just died, and I was deeply grieving. I wasn’t ready to pick up and go anywhere.”

But Mr. Weeks continued to encourage Susanna to put her gifts and talents to use in the military. “One day, I realized God was speaking to me through Mr. Weeks. I loved my country, and I knew I was willing to give my life to defend our freedom. What better way to fulfill my dream of traveling the world and preaching the gospel than in service to those who serve?”

Throughout my phone interview with Susanna, she continually expressed gratitude for leaders in the Air Force chaplaincy from whom she had been blessed to learn. “When I arrived, I felt like I knew nothing. Military culture can be so intimidating. But God has blessed me with incredible leaders to help me learn. One being my supervisor and Wing Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Barker, who is such a great leader, mentor, and friend.”

“True Biblical honor is derived out of and motivated by love,” writes Mavis Kurkoski in her book Honor the Currency of Heaven. The reference in the book’s title is not to dollars and coins but to a divine exchange. Not giving to get, but giving one’s life to receive the life of Christ. Susanna readily gives honor to family, teachers, and others who have loved and advised her along the way. On June 8, 2020, she will be promoted to Captain. But regardless of title, Susanna’s purpose remains the same: to provide love, comfort, and support.

“Many are young,” said Susanna. “This might be their first time away from home, and they’re dealing with a plethora of issues from homesickness, relational problems, or perhaps depression. The one unique thing we offer that no other agency offers is 100% confidentiality. We never break that seal of confidentiality. Our airmen and women need someone they can trust. I’m here to provide comfort and love.”

Joining the Air Force was not an attempt to reinvent herself with a new career. Everything Susanna has ever done has been for the same purpose: to offer comfort and love. Like the two faithful servants referred to in the parable in Matthew 25:14-29 (NIV), she has used what she’s been given and entrusted with more. “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (vs. 23) The parable is not so much about judgment after death as it is about faithfulness in life.

With her upcoming deployment, she asked simply that the people of her hometown pray for her in her service to God and country. The commitment of this young woman from Vidalia, Georgia brings honor to us all.