The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) named John Schumacher as its Centurion of the Year Award recipient at the Chaplains Commission Centurion Banquet, held Jan. 14 in Alexandria, Va. The Centurion of the Year Award recognizes leaders who have exemplified commitment to the ministry of evangelical military chaplains. 

“John Schumacher is a treasure to military chaplaincy,” said David Cyr, Executive Director of the NAE Chaplains Commission. “His long-standing commitment and care of evangelical chaplains testifies to his sincere love for the Lord.”

Col. Schumacher entered the U.S. Army as an active duty chaplain in July 1965. He served as a military pastor for 30 years, including two combat tours in Vietnam. He currently serves as the Chaplain Endorsing Agent for the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches and as a board member of the NAE Chaplains Commission.

Schumacher regularly lectures at various universities and military academies and wrote “A Soldier of God Remembers,” a memoir of his career as an Army chaplain.

He has degrees from Bob Jones University, Long Island University and University of Southern California. Schumacher received his Ph.D. in Religion from North Carolina College of Theology in 2005. He and his wife, Martha, reside in Glendale, Ariz.

Centurion of the Year Award recipients are nominated and elected by members of The Centurions, the top-level supporters of the Chaplains Commission. The Centurion Banquet was held in conjunction with the Commission’s annual meeting, which brings together endorsers of evangelical chaplains to discuss issues that impact the ministries of evangelical chaplains in the military, Veterans Affairs and other civilian chaplaincies.