An October Message of Faith, Hope and Patriotism from Lt. Zack Parker, Chaplain, USN

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM WASHINGTON D.C. TO THE SPACE COAST

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – It was October 25, 2001. Most of America was still spinning from the terror attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and a quiet field in Pennsylvania. I was in sixth grade at Tropical Elementary in Merritt Island, Florida, enjoying a fall party in Mrs. Bray’s sixth-grade class when another shocking event was about to unfold.

I had just filled my plate with snacks and sat at my desk when the classroom phone rang. Mrs. Bray answered and then looked at me with a curious expression.

“You’re being checked out,” she said. Surprised—and honestly a little disappointed to be leaving the party early, I gathered my belongings and headed toward the front office.

Backpack on and plate of food in hand, I walked across the lunch area when a friend’s mother called out, “Parker, where are you going?”

“Not sure,” I answered. “I didn’t know I was getting checked out.”

She paused, then shouted: “Maybe Pam decided to have the twins today!”

My stepmother was pregnant with identical twins, though not due until November. The thought hadn’t even crossed my mind, but suddenly my attitude was lifted. I briefly imagined how life was about to change for our family. I already loved being a big brother to Jake, who was just two years old, and I was eager to have new additions.

But as I stepped into the front office, I knew something was wrong. The secretaries, Mrs. Bleichner and Mrs. Shepard, whom I had known since kindergarten, looked at me with tears in their eyes. Without speaking, they guided me into the principal’s office.

As I walked into the room, there sat our former pastor, Dave Baldridge.

Before he said a word, I broke down in tears. Gently, Pastor Dave wrapped me in a hug and quietly explained, “Pam and your dad went to the hospital today to deliver the twins. There were complications, and baby Cal didn’t make it. Pam is in critical condition at Cape Canaveral Hospital. Baby Drew is doing fine, but will be transported later to Wuesthoff to the NICU. Your dad asked me to come by and take you to the hospital to be with him.”

After the initial wave of emotions, I recall asking about Jake, about whether my mom knew, and then I remember thinking that there was no one in the world other than Pastor Dave that I would have wanted to deliver this information to me.

A few minutes and a few deep breaths later, with tears still flowing, I told him I was ready to go to the hospital.

The principal of Tropical Elementary, Mrs. Jane Respess, waited by the front entrance. She reached out her arms and gave me a comforting hug, affirming that if there was anything she could do, that her and the school would graciously accommodate.

I was just eleven years old, and it was an enormous amount to process. But I remember this clearly: I was never alone. Pastor Dave, who had discipled my father and helped lead him into ministry years before, was now shepherding us through this moment of devastation. He was there, carrying our burdens, as Christ calls believers to do.

The Baldridge family had long been a picture of Christian love to us and many others. Pastor Dave and his wife, Sarah, and their children, Ben, Jenny, and Andy, had poured into our family for years.

They showed us what it meant to live out the words of Jesus: “A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

By their love, it was evident to us, and all who knew them, that they were disciples of Jesus.

In the days that followed, our church family and our community carried us. Pam showed incredible resilience, baby Drew grew stronger in the NICU, and my dad faithfully juggled hospital visits, home responsibilities, pastoral duties, and the weight of grief. Family, friends, neighbors, teachers, and church members came together to wrap us in love—meals, childcare, prayers, and countless small acts of kindness. Some things we are still learning about decades later.

I especially remember Ben Baldridge, Pastor Dave’s son, who was like a big brother to me and a senior at Merritt Island High School.

On my first day back at school, it was somehow arranged for Ben to check me out of class and for us to spend time together. When he strolled through the door of Mrs. Bray’s class, it was like a celebrity had entered the room. He looked at me with a big smile and suggested, “Today seems like a great day for pizza, don’t you think?”

That simple compassion—just being present, without needing to talk about everything—was exactly what I needed. We enjoyed breadsticks and pizza at the prominent Pizza Hut on Merritt Island.

Mrs. Bray restored my confidence during the remainder of sixth grade with unwavering care. She and my classmates treated our family with dignity and respect.

Looking back now, I see how clearly the body of Christ was at work. Believers at Grace United Methodist, Georgianna United Methodist, Tropical Elementary, Asbury Seminary, South Merritt Island Little League, doctors, nurses, family, friends, and neighbors—all came together as living proof of the words of Jesus.

Because of this, it was not fear that defined us. It was faith.

When Jesus gave His disciples a “new commandment” at the Last Supper, it was on the eve of His own suffering. He washed their feet, demonstrating that real love is service, sacrifice, and humility. Then He went to the cross, showing us love in its fullest form—laying down His life so that we could be forgiven and made new.

That same love carried my family through our season of heartbreak. It was the love of Christ expressed through His people. And it is the same love offered to us today.

If you are carrying burdens—grief, loss, loneliness, anger, or fear—know that you do not have to carry them alone. Jesus invites you to bring them to Him. In Him, there is healing, hope, and eternal life.

So, just as our family experienced in 2001, I pray you too encounter the love of Christ through His people, and most of all, through a personal relationship with Jesus Himself.

This is the good news of the Gospel, to share with all nations, especially us here in America. In a time of division, may the body of Christ rise up to demonstrate that real love is service, sacrifice, and humility. Because of this, fear will not define the United States—it can be replaced by faith.

Sadly, we never got to know baby Cal, but baby Drew has grown up to be a fine young man. From being crowned Mr. Merritt Island High School in his senior year to becoming a rising star in Florida government, he carries himself with a heart to serve. Honoring his twin brother and making us all very proud.

A special memory from that time in 2001 was of our neighbors, Mike and Deb Gentile, who owned the iconic Dairy Queen in Merritt Island, now known as Parkway Creamery. Without our knowledge, they filled our freezer with a box full of blizzards and dilly bars, just to bring us joy in the middle of hardship.

My dad laughed when he saw them, handed me one, and for a moment, we enjoyed the sweetness of God’s love expressed through His people.

Message Sponsored by Erdman Automotive.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In August 2020, Chaplain Parker reported for active duty as a staff chaplain at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL. While aboard NAS Jacksonville, he spearheaded an initiative selected as a 2022 Navy-wide best practice and was published by Pennsylvania State University’s Clearinghouse for Military Readiness.

In January 2024, Parker reported as command chaplain to the USS RAMAGE (DDG 61), supporting the crew in a permanent homeport change from Norfolk, VA, to Mayport, FL. Parker earned the Surface Chaplain Officer qualification pin onboard and was awarded 2nd Place at the Surface Navy Association’s National Symposium for his team’s video production.

In August 2025, Parker reported as installation chaplain to the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. His scope includes supporting 33,000 Sailors, civilians, and contract personnel across seven National Capital Region fence lines.

He serves as an adjunct professor for Liberty University, instructing courses in ethical leadership, spiritual growth, and professional chaplaincy studies.

Parker began his formal education at Florida State University, graduating with a B.A. in Editing, Writing, and Media (2012). He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Liberty Theological Seminary (2016) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2020). Chaplain Parker has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (1 gold star), and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

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