Senate Chaplain Hospitalized Following Medical Emergency
Barry Black, who holds the distinguished position of U.S. Senate Chaplain, was recently admitted to the hospital due to a subdural hematoma, a form of bleeding that occurs near the brain often following a head injury. The Capitol Physician, Dr. Brian Monahan, provided him with medical assistance, according to a statement from the Office of the U.S. Senate Chaplain.
The Rev. Lisa Shultz, serving as chief of staff for the Senate chaplain, confirmed the development, stating that Chaplain Black experienced a “medical emergency resulting from a subdural hematoma.” She expressed optimism about his condition, remarking, “We expect a smooth recovery.” Prayers were requested for Black, his family, and their office.
Pastor Ted Wilson, the president of the Seventh-day Adventist World Church, asked for prayers from the community, posting on X, “Please pray for the full health recovery of Admiral Dr Barry Black, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor…” Wilson was also able to communicate a message of prayer to Black via General Andrew R. Harewood.
In a turn of positive news, Wilson shared that he was unexpectedly contacted by Chaplain Black from the hospital. Black highlighted how divine intervention had played a role in his recovery from what could have been a more severe health crisis. Monahan’s proactive decision to advise Black to seek emergency care was praised as a pivotal moment contributing to his current recovery.
Chaplain Black, aged 76, has a remarkable tenure of 21 years as a Senate chaplain, being both the first black individual and the first Seventh-day Adventist to occupy this role. His distinguished career includes a notable service in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of rear admiral and serving as chief of Navy chaplains, before transitioning to his current position through the nomination of then-Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.
Reflecting on his past in an interview with The Christian Post, Black spoke about his upbringing in Baltimore, Maryland, and the influence of his devout Seventh-day Adventist mother. He shared personal insights, discussing how spiritual guidance helped him avoid a path of violence as a teenager, attributing his moral direction to the biblical verse Proverbs 1:10 and the grace of God.
Black’s early life was shaped by a low-income environment and a father with limited presence, but a mother who prioritized Christian education for her children. He recalled the church’s emphasis on educational values and his lifelong dedication to ministry, a commitment he attributes to his mother’s prayers during her pregnancy.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
