Daniel R. Schafer

(*This blog seems highly unorganized. It is basically just a collection of sayings and stories that Dan had told. I was more concerned with listening to him to write a coherent and organized blog*)

Dan is a chaplain worked with agencies during 9/11. He is also a pastor in New Jersey. He was in the police force before and during his ministry. He has been in ministry for 47 years.
 Crisis Intervention Intl. LLC

"Just trust in the Lord and it will open doors." "The Holy Spirit opens the doors for us."

He helps run a "racer sunday." It's a car show for the community.

He is closely related to NASCAR racing

Red, White and Blue service. It's for the police, fire and EMS departments.

September 11, 2001

He lives an hour from NYC. He was a chaplain at a couple police departments. He went to the outside of the city and the next day was put into the position of mobilizing and organizing the chaplains. He did over 50 memorial services. They helped those process everything that was happening. They did not preach but helped needs. Every piece of human remains had a "service" or prayer over the body at different sites. The person or body could have up to 4-5 services, each "site" (the place where the body was found, ambulance, hospital and other sites) had a service for the body.

Tells of a time where they started to sing hymns and songs. Everybody took notice and gathered and sung. He says, "You could feel the Holy Spirit wrap His arms around the area and just say, "I'm here, I'm here."

In terms of stress on the workers there, he helped them by something he calls ministry of presence. People will forget your words but never your presence.

It's just doing things for people. You don't touch people, unless you know people. You don't have to know the answers. You just tell the truth. "In the hands of the Lord."

Funerals are some of the greatest times to minister, but you have to know how to say the right things.

"No such word as closure or getting back to normal. You find a new normal."

On April 11, 2002, Dan was there when the last two full bodies were found at the site.

He is a chaplain mostly of the police. He states that those guys are in such an area of stress. They take everything they see home and stuff it all in. They need to vent and get rid of what they see. It's not what you say, you just have to listen.

He works with police in all situations: murder, suicide, shootouts, accidents, crashes... etc.

Words are more powerful than a gun.

Recognize our limitations.

80% of my coping mechanism in Christ, 20% from professionals. (No medications.)

He is a chaplain for 4 police department, 4 fire departments, and 1 EMS department.

This speaker was by far my favorite so far. He is very practical and gives really practical advice! He is a great man of God and a witness of what God can do through just serving people.