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| The Original Web Page of Lightship Ministries Welcome Aboard; LIGHTSHIP MINISTRIES of Kent Island, Maryland. I am Roland T. Dell, Chaplain of Lightship Ministries. Our Mission is to be "Vessels of Light for Christ" in a lost and dark world. As your "Web Chaplain," allow me to share with you how the Lord has literally, Saved my Life... Again and Again! We really are not alone in this world, as many would have us believe.  Lightship Helm 1985 
About; CHP.Dell
After returning home from sea service in the U.S. Coast Guard from Alaska to Hawaii in 1982. Roland continued in his love of the water by earning his U.S. Merchant Marine Document. He later would work aboard the LIGHTSHIP CHESAPEAKE as the full-time seaman to the Captain.
After much seeking for a career after his military duty, Roland worked in a boatyard and as a canvas-man for his father. He looked into law enforcement but was unsure of what career course to take with his life. One evening he read a devotional that stated, we are to be "Vessels of Light for Christ". He thought to himself, I herd that before and went to bed.
The next morning the Captain aboard the Lightship Chesapeake called Roland and offered him a job aboard the Chesapeake. This ship was truly a "Vessel of Light" Roland thought, and accepted the position.
This was to be the trade he would stay with for over the next twenty years! During this period of maritime service, Roland would also serve with a small "street ministry" located in Baltimore, City Maryland. Under the instruction of Dr. Gross, D.D.,Th.D.,Ph.D. Pastor, of Fellowship Home Ministries from 1983-1989. During his stay with this Ministry, Roland would never view the Spiritual World the same ever again!
Roland had also joined the U.S. Army Reserves in Curtis Bay, Maryland as a Watercraft Soldier and would soon find employment as a "Tugboat" Engineer.
This job as a Marine Engineer was located across from the U.S. Coast Guard Yard, Roland's personal - Jordan River... Roland later moved to Kent Island, Maryland and would then start courting his future Wife, a SFC in his Battalion. Roland later learned she had been a local farm girl and still lived in his area on Maryland's Eastern Shore. The Lord had prepared Roland's heart, in leading this woman into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ just two months into there relationship. Roland's experience in ministry would soon be put to the test. He had only heard about this level of Communion with God, and now to his surprise he was experiencing it! So powerful a testimony had he experienced, that some local Pastor's could not accept this personal level of communication via the Holy Spirit with God. This frustrated Roland even more, as he could not hardly believe it himself. Roland kept a journal of the events that transpired during his courtship for nearly a year. He also was amazed as these experiences quickly diminished, after taking action in asking for her hand in marriage in 1998, now it was back to simply living by faith.
By 1999 Roland prayed for his new bride and there relationship. As his eyes were shut the Lord gave Roland a (Technicolor) vision of a "Heart of Grass". Roland was amazed, and wondered just what it meant...
The following morning as Roland warmed his car for his drive into work Alistair Begg of Truth for Life was on the radio speaking of his Father a Shepherd in Scotland.
He stated that it was God, who gives to a man a "Pastors Heart" the word Pastor deriving from the word Pasture. The good Shepherd must always direct his sheep, in the direction where the grass is good to eat. Just then Roland realized, the meaning of his vision of his heart filled with rich green grass!
Years later even this would make more and more sense to Roland.
After Roland's Mobilization for Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom from 2003-2004. Roland returned home and to his surprise was elected and Ordained as a Presbyterian Deacon. By 2005 Roland was Licensed and Ordained as a Minister for his past experience in Ministry. Then just three days after his final Ordination, and on his twenty years in the Military, Roland lay dying of massive heart failure while taking Water Survival Training with the Army at Ft. Meade, MD. If not for the quick response of CW4 Gunport, Officers and NCO's Roland would have died. As he lay there Roland could feel the "Good Shepherd" laying shoulder to shoulder with him, and see Him in shadow. Everything went black, his hearing the last sense to go... Then it was as if someone slid open a "manhole cover", Roland could look up (as from under the street) and see the Paramedics faces working on him! All Roland cared about was for his Wife, and having an impact on the world for Christ. As Roland was in transport to the Hospital, his heart continued to stop. At one point he recalled looking down at his Ambulance coming towards him in perfect clarity and peace, this time with no sound.
During that night Roland was not expected to live, as told to him by a fellow deacon later at his local Church. Roland then Chartered; LIGHTSHIP MINISTRIES under the State of Maryland. He wishes to share with the world that a personal relationship with God, by way of the Atonement paid on the Cross of Christ has literally saved his life, and all those who would believe.
Chaplain, Roland T. Dell
LIGHTSHIP MINISTRIES ***Contact the Chaplain***
To E-Mail Chaplain, Dell. Use your personal mailbox and send comments to, ***LightshipChaplain@Gmail.Com***
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