Since the time of the American War for Independence, the value of supporting the spiritual part of military members through the service of chaplains has been recognized.

Here in Southwest Asia, the men and women of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and coalition forces have the opportunity to volunteer to serve in the church with the chaplain staff, in addition to serving their country.

The chaplain staff includes six chaplains and four chaplain assistants. Royal Australian Air Force Chaplain (Squadron Leader) Atsushi Shibaoka also serves as a worship leader during the Sunday traditional service. Royal Air Force Chaplain (Squadron Leader) Mark Kennard balances out the team.

The chapel provides the opportunity for Airmen and members of the coalition forces to share their talents —- music, dance and singing -- in addition to traditional volunteer roles within the church. Senior, junior, officer and enlisted volunteers donate their time, talents and experience to the chapel and use their talents to teach and minister.

“People are the church,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Dave Reeson, a Catholic priest. “People want to give back to the church and we need volunteers.

“Serving as ushers is only a small part of what volunteers do. Other services include facilitating religious education, reading of the scriptures, the music ministry, altar servers and serving as Eucharistic ministers,” distributing communion at Mass and taking communion to the sick, he said.

“Chaplains provide the screening process to ensure volunteers are qualified and are volunteering for the right assignment,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Rolf Holmquist, pastor of the inspirational worship service. “The chapel has a variety of worship services to meet the different needs of military personnel here. The people who are willing to accept leadership in areas such as the choir, dance group, etc., are given the chance to serve.”

Senior Master Sgt. Alan Suber, 379th Readiness Squadron superintendent of theater distribution, said, ““As a deacon in God’s church I have been charged by my heavenly father to service his people no matter where I am. My home church covenant states that when we are separated from our home church, we will immediately join with another church and continue to serve.”

Sergeant Suber serves as a worship leader during the inspirational service and the Men of Integrity and Purpose Driven Life study program along with Master Sgt. Andrew Freed, a radio frequency officer at the combined air operations center.

The music ministry at the Victory Chapel consists of volunteer musicians and singers whose praise styles range from the traditional to gospel and contemporary music styles. Drums, keyboards, guitars and the violin are used in the celebration of sound in addition to singers in the choir and soloists.

“Performing with the Praise Band is a great way to worship God,” said Lt. Col. Michael Weeks, an operations plans officer in the combined air operations center. He plays the violin at the Sunday contemporary worship service. “Our instrumentation includes trumpet, saxophone, singers and a rhythm section.”

Staff Sgt. Kenya Harper, a CAOC operations security manager, is the choir director for the inspirational worship service.

“To me, ministering through music is sharing the goodness of Jesus -- His word and His love -- through song,” Sergeant Harper said. “My first Sunday church service was the previous choir director’s last Sunday. There was a need for a director, so I volunteered.”

In addition to music -- dance, drama and mime -- are incorporated into the inspirational service as the creative arts ministry.

“Through dance and drama, you want to bring the words of a song to life,” said Staff Sergeant David Smith, the 492nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron’s client support administrator. Sergeant Smith is the creative director and a member of the drama and dance ministries. The group’s name is the Expressions of Praise.

“The people watching can see themselves and see what the words of the song are conveying,” he said. “Providing communication with sight as well as sound enables more information to be retained.”

The mime performance represents spiritual living without words. Gestures and facial movements are used.

“There’s a song my choir used to sing in Germany,” said Tech. Sgt. Bari White, of the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Group and the mime choreographer. “The lyrics were, ‘If I can’t say a word, can I just wave my hand. I am so full, I would explain it if I could, God’s been just that good.’”

“There are times when you are so full and just have to show God how you feel with your facial expressions, your body and your hands,” said Sergeant White. I believe if you keep God close to your heart while miming, and in all things, you can express his awesome love and it will minister to the people.”

The chaplain assistants complete the circle of fellowship and service at Victory Chapel.

“Our job includes financial management, religious program support and numerous deployments,” said Tech. Sgt. Jaci Traeger, a chaplain assistant.

So, what inspires Airmen to volunteer for work in the chapel?

“They are answering a call to step out in faith by sharing the love of God through music, reading , fellowship and living the word of God,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Steven Fisher, pastor of the traditional service.

“Our men and women in the military need to be supported in a way that affects not only this life, but the life to come,” said Chaplain Holmquist. “A by-product of this type of support is a military that can focus on their job with confidence for the future. That is why we feel as a chapel team we have a very important job to do here for the 379th AEW.”