Nazarene Pastor Involved in RCMP Memorial Services

Dr. Gary Cowper, pastor of the Moncton First Church of the Nazarene (Moncton, NB) was recently invited to be a part of the chaplaincy ministry team at the National RCMP Memorial Service held in Regina, SK on September 14, 2014.

The RCMP Commissioner and senior members of the RCMP, along with representatives from twenty–one different families who have lost RCMP members, gathered to pay tribute. Included in this group were the three families from Moncton who lost a loved in the shooting death of three officers last June. Pastor Gary participated in the parade, cenotaph and chapel service, as well as the memorial dedication.

This event pays tribute to the 234 RCMP members who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1876. Pastor Gary has been a volunteer chaplain for the RCMP in New Brunswick since 2011. When the terrible events on June 4th unfolded,Pastor Gary was immediately called to the RCMP command centre and the hospital to give support to the Moncton RCMP membersand their families.

Pastor Gary has journeyed with them through the notification of the next of kin and the funeral preparation and planning. He was honored to offer the opening prayer at the nationally–televised RCMP Regimental Funeral for the three fallen RCMP Members on June 10, 2014.