Elgin’s own Trey Byrns has recently graduated from the Naval Chaplaincy School in New Port, Rhode Island.
Byrns, a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Navy, is a Southern Baptist minister who graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
Earlier in life, Byrns attempted a career in the Navy, but at every turn doors were repeatedly closed.
Years later, he received an email from a recruiter asking if he was still interested in serving his country. Burns initially declined because he had become a pastor. The recruiter replied, “the Navy needs pastors; they’re called chaplains.”
Byrns, now married, prayed for His guidance.
“Lord, if this is what you want us to do, then you will need to open every door,” he and his wife prayed.
After a series of open doors, Byrns received some bad news; his request for a medical waiver was declined.
“That means I’m not going to the Navy?” he asked his recruiter. “Not right now,” was the recruiter’s response.
Four months later, the same recruiter called again telling Byrns if he submitted additional documentation he would likely be accepted.
Weary of the process, Byrns initially declined, but was persuaded to try again. The recruiter’s persistence was rewarded and Byrns was finally accepted.
“A professor told me while I was in seminary, if I wanted to stay in my little circle, and was not willing to move outside of that, I would not be allowed to see God work,” Byrns said. “I had to move past my bubble to see how God could stretch me.”
In addition to providing religious needs to their own, the more than 800 Navy Chaplains from more than 100 religious organizations facilitate the religious needs and care of other faiths for all Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen worldwide.
Byrns will report to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, North Carolina, to serve as an infantry battalion chaplain in the Second Marine Division.