Jenkins Named Kan. National Guard State Chaplain
Special To The Gazette
Friday, January 6, 2012
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Jenkins will become the state chaplain for the Kansas National Guard at a transfer of authority ceremony at 2 p.m., Sundayat Nickell Armory, Room 115, 2722 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka.
During the ceremony, Chaplain (Col.) Donald Davidson will hand over the Kansas National Guard’s Chaplain Corps to Jenkins. Davidson is retiring from the military, having served more than 27 years in the Kansas National Guard.
“The ministry of the state chaplain is unique and exciting,” said Davidson. “I have been honored to serve in this position, to work on the staff of two adjutants general and care for an outstanding Chaplain Corps.”
“The Kansas National Guard Chaplaincy is stronger than it has been in years,” said Jenkins. “Chaplain Davidson has left a solid legacy to build upon. I hope to use my experience from multiple deployments in ways that will continue to strengthen our chaplaincy as we care for Kansas Guard service members and their families.”
Prior to the transfer of au-
thority, a retirement ceremony will be held for Davidson.
Chaplain William David Jenkins
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) William David Jenkins was born and raised in Fredonia, Kan., and is the command chaplain of the 35th Infantry Division, Kansas Army National Guard.
Jenkins resides in Topeka, where he serves as bereavement coordinator for Grace Hospice. As a pastor of the Disciples of Christ, he has served churches in Southeastern Kansas. He is currently a candidate for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church.
Jenkins received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible Ministries from Manhattan Christian College in 1978 and his Master of Divinity degree from Phillips Graduate Seminary in Enid, Okla., in 1984. He completed clinical pastoral education in 1983 and received certification in family systems therapy at the Menninger Institute in 1986.
He is currently a Doctor of Ministry student at the University of the South at Sewanee, Tenn., and will graduate from the U.S. Army War College in July 2012.
Prior to his current assignment, Jenkins served the 2nd Battalion, 635th Armor Battalion; 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment and was brigade chaplain for the 35th Division Artillery and the 635th Regional Support Group.
Jenkins was deployed in support of Stabilization Force 13 and 14 as the deputy command chaplain in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He later served as deputy command chaplain for the 377th Theater Support Group in Kuwait and in 2007-2008 was the command chaplain for Kosovo Force 9.
Jenkins’ military awards include the Meritorious Service Award with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and several other medals and ribbons.
Jenkins is an avid gardener and can be seen in his neighborhood on daily runs with the family basset hound, Penelope.
Jenkins is married to Mary Anna. They have two grown children, Tim, a graphic designer who resides in Wichita, Kan., and Anna, a teacher with the Auburn-Washburn School District in Topeka.