My name is Andy Jenks and I am the Battalion Chaplain for 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). I am blessed to be the husband of beautiful and talented woman named Jennifer. Jennifer and I met while I was pursuing my undergraduate degree at North Carolina State University. In God’s providence, she was the beautiful Godly redhead I prayed so long for. We have experienced both the mountain top and valley along the way but by God’s grace, Jennifer and I are approaching our 20th Wedding Anniversary. We are blessed with two smart and talented daughters, Ashton & Anna Kate. In my spare time I enjoy hunting, fishing, reading, and historic walking tours.
I grew up in Apex, North Carolina and graduated from Apex High School. My undergraduate degree is from North Carolina State University in Forest Management; Go Pack! I completed my Masters of Divinity w/Biblical Languages from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in December of 2005. I served as the Youth and Education Minister at First Baptist Church of Santo, TX from 2001-2005 and then as the Youth and College Pastor at University Hills Baptist Church from 2006-2010. In June of 2010, Jennifer and I packed up the family and started our Army adventure at Fort Jackson, South Carolina where I completed the Chaplain Officer Basic Course.
My first assignment as an Army Chaplain was with the 4th Squadron, 9th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, TX. In May of 2011, I deployed with 4-9 CAV to Diyala, Iraq, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. From May 2013-June 2015 , I was assigned to the Military District of Washington as a Cemetery Chaplain at Arlington National Cemetery. From June 2015-June 2018, I was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd ABCT in Vicenza, Italy. After a short stop at Fort Jackson in 2018 for the Chaplain’s Captain Career Course, I was assigned to 2/5 SFG (A) in January 2019.
My life verse is Psalm 37:23-24 which reads, “The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” This verse reminds me that God never promises me that I will not stumble, but he does promise that I will not fall because HIS hand holds me up.
The Chaplain's Anvil 