Next-door neighbors: Chapel opens office in dormitories

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Jones
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 4th Fighter Wing Chapel unveiled its new dorm chaplain's office Nov. 8 as part of the Air Force chaplaincy's long heritage of reaching out to Airmen.

The new office, located in dormitory building 3652, represents a symbolic facet of the chapel's new Airmen's ministry program, which aims to provide convenient chapel-related services for all Airmen.

"The dorm ministry allows us to meet and care for Airmen on their turf," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Scott Ofsdahl, the wing chaplain. "In doing so, we become more visible, available and accessible."

The Air Force is constantly changing, and the chaplaincy must change with it or risk becoming obsolete, said Chaplain (Capt.) Kevin Humphrey, the dorm chaplain. The new office and ministry strives to reach the newest generation of Airmen.

In the past, the chapel employed events-driven ministry to build relationships with dormitory residents. That approach typically attracted only 15 percent of the wing's Airmen.

Chapel personnel hope the more convenient location of the dorm chaplain's office will help them reach the other 85 percent. In effect, the chapel has replaced a come-and-see-us approach with a we-are-here-to-serve approach.

One aspect of the new approach is that it is mission-centered. The dorm chaplain's office is expected to boost morale, which will keep Airmen focused on their particular mission, said Chaplain Humphrey.

Ensuring spiritual readiness is not just the responsibility of chapel personnel. In fact, all Airmen are mandated to be spiritually ready to accomplish the mission by Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure.

"Spiritual readiness is the development of those personal qualities needed to help a person through times of stress, hardship and tragedy," according to the AFI. "Spiritual readiness may or may not include religious activities."

Providing spiritual-readiness services is not without its challenges.

Some Airmen believe there is a negative stigma attached to seeking help, and by going to the chapel is a telltale sign there is a problem, said Chaplain Humphrey. With its close proximity to Airmen's living quarters, the chapel staff expects Airmen to feel more comfortable stopping by for just a quick talk or more extensive counseling for a deeper struggle.

As policy, chaplains offer absolute confidentiality in their counseling and offer religious support in any way possible, regardless of faith or denomination.

So far, the new office has received good reviews from dormitory residents.

"I see it as being a real good thing," said Senior Airman Timothy Bennett, the bay chief and dorm council president for Bldg. 3603. "Having them right here amongst us could help some Airmen to get through rough times by having someone to talk to."

Airman 1st Class Marcus Pender, president of the EAGLES professional organization, echoed Airman Bennett's views.

"Bringing the chaplain's office to the dorms would be a good thing for the Airmen, giving us yet one more channel to use for everyday problems in the dorms," said Airman Pender.

Other aspects of the new Airmen's ministry program includes: the Airmen's Outreach program, which is designed to provide fun quarterly events for Airmen; the Servant Leadership in Action program, in which chaplains work alongside Airmen in their primary duties; and the Random Acts of Kindness program, in which the dorm chaplain prepares snacks and gift bags for rotating dorm residents.

For more information regarding these services, call 722-0315.