The Life and Leadership of the Late Jim Ammerman:

Former Southern Baptist Army Chaplain

A former Southern Baptist Army Chaplain, E.H. (Jim) Ammerman was the Founding President
and Director of Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches, Inc. (CFGC). But he maintained many of
his Southern Baptist connections and beliefs. Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches is an endorsing
agency that is recognized by the Department of Defense and represented 7.5 million parishioners
at the height of its operations under Jim Ammermans leadership. It places ministers in the United
States military and civilian institutions as chaplains.
Some of his chaplains went into the Baptist churches with his blessings. He said of Southern
Baptist retired Army Chaplain (MAJOR) Jim Linzey, God takes willing people, and brings
them all the way to the top. And I have encouraged Jim Linzey every way I know how to
encourage him, because I expect him to go to the top and be not just a nationwide leader. He
has worldwide capability!
Born in Conway, Missouri, on July 20, 1925, Jim was a graduate of Baptist colleges and
seminaries. He was ordained as a Southern Baptist in 1946. He held a Doctor of Theology degree
and a Doctor of Divinity degree.
Jim retired from the U.S. Army in 1977 as a Colonel, having served as an Army chaplain for
twenty-three years. During his Army career, Jim served as a paratrooper chaplain with the 82nd
Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division (while General Westmoreland was
commanding) and with the Green Berets for five years. He made 196 jumps, besides being
involved in sports parachuting. He also served twice with the 1st Cavalry Division and once with
the 1st Armor Division. Prior to his service as an Army chaplain, Jim served three and a half
years with the Navy as an enlisted radioman and later as a Naval aviator during World War II.
His last European assignment was with V Corps in Frankfurt, Germany, where he supervised
eighty-three chaplains representing fourteen denominations who provided religious coverage and
support to fifty thousand soldiers and their family members. Jims last active duty assignment
was at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served as Post Chaplain and pastor to the Command
and General Staff College (CGSC). At that time, CGSC annually trained one thousand mid-career
officers from the Army and sister services. The graduates of this prestigious school go on to
serve as senior leaders of our nations military, becoming Colonels and Flag Officers.
Jims decorations and awards include Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2),
Army Commendation Medal (3), Bronze Star, plus Service Ribbons from WWII, Korea, and
Vietnam.
Jim had literary credits in several professional journals and religious publications, and he
authored the books After the Storm and Supernatural Events in the Life of an Ordinary Man.
After the Storm, which reached #9 on the Christian Bookseller's List, recounts the marvelous
ways God protected and aided our men and women in Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches had 29 chaplains in Desert Storm. Supernatural Events
in the Life of an Ordinary Man tells of the mighty works of God in Jim and Charlene's lives
and ministry.
Jim has appeared frequently on radio and television. Appearances included CBNs
700 Club, Rays of Hope, Festival of Praise, and Trinity Broadcasting Network. He was a
much-loved speaker at national and international conventions, conferences and
seminars.
Until he passed away, Jim continued to be a much-loved speaker for churches and
conventions of all denominations. He and his wife, Charlene, have made many missionary
journeys, including two trips around the world. They have also ministered in communist
countries.
Military personnel in Central and South American nations cultivated associations with
Jim Ammerman during the last 15 years of his life. They invited him on many occasions to
their nations, resulting in a Spanish-speaking Seminary in Caracas, Venezuela. Numerous
graduates became the only non-Catholic Chaplains in South American militaries.
Jim Ammerman passed away on May 17, 2011, at the age of 85. He was married to his
loving wife, Charlene, for 66 years. Funeral services were held at Colonial Hills Baptist
Church, 820 E. Wintergreen, Cedar Hill, Texas, at 12:30 pm, on Friday, May 20, 2011.

- Submitted by James Brandt, Ph.D.