Soldiers faith leads to new calling

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Duncan | Sgt. Peter Adams, a quartermaster and chemical equipment repairer with Headquarters and Support Company, 602nd Aviation Support Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, conducts a memorial ceremony Feb. 28, at Camp Humphreys, South Korea.  

BUSAN GWANG'YEOGSI [PUSAN-KWANGYOKSHI], SOUTH KOREA

03.06.2014

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Abril 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea - It’s Sunday afternoon and Sgt. Peter Adams is at it again. He prepares his bass guitar for a weekly worship service along with other church band members as he has done every Sunday during the last three and a half years while stationed at Camp Humphreys, South Korea.

When he isn’t playing an instrument during church services or volunteering in other events across Camp Humphreys, Adams, a quartermaster and chemical equipment repairer with Headquarters Support Company, 602nd Aviation Support Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and native of Kenai, Alaska, has an even bigger passion for leading people in faith.

“I have always felt a calling to preach,” said Adams. “Even during the darkest days of my life, God has preserved me with integrity to bring me into his will as his minister.”

Adams began his spiritual journey as a young boy, influenced by his grandmother. It wasn’t until he was much older that he felt the calling to serve God and was baptized, beginning his journey to a future of faith and servitude.

“After graduating with an associate’s degree, I began attending Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash., where I dedicated myself to study, which led to a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry,” said Adams.

Once Adams graduated from college, he became a youth pastor at a local chapel where he served his community for the next few years. This led him to positions as an associate pastor and senior pastor with various local churches.

While serving in those positions, Adams received a vision for his calling to become a chaplain for the United States Army. Knowing there were many prerequisites to becoming an Army chaplain, Adams was more determined to work harder toward his goal.

“I moved to Springfield, Mo. to pursue a master’s degree, working towards my plan to serve as an Army chaplain,” said Adams. “I became the associate pastor at church, and started taking classes at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.”

Prior to enlisting in the Army, Adams was ordained as a minister at the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in Springfield, Mo. Once he enlisted, he received orders to South Korea. He has dedicated himself to his studies during his time off.

“Sgt. Adams has big ambitions that are backed up by his discipline,” said Michael R. Roberts, a chaplain with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Garrison Humphreys and native of Valley Center, Calif. “He spent most of his nights and weekends studying to earn his masters in divinity, which requires a lot of hard work.”

Adams currently serves as an assisting minister and worship pastor at the Camp Humphreys “Chapel Next” service. As Adams volunteered his service, he applied to become a chaplain to obtain his ultimate goal.

“I woke up one morning and checked my email, as I do every morning,” said Adams. “I saw an email from my chaplain recruiter saying I was selected. I immediately ran into the bedroom screaming to my wife and she began to cry. After the initial shock wore off, we prayed together, thanking God that everything worked in our favor.

Adams’ faith and determination paved the way for his dream to become a reality. Seemingly, his path to success may have provided an example of hope, resilience and determination for his fellow soldiers to follow while working toward their life goals. It seems he may already be doing the work of a caring chaplain.

• Date Taken: 03.06.2014
• Date Posted: 03.17.2014 21:31
• Story ID: 122136
• Location: BUSAN GWANG'YEOGSI [PUSAN-KWANGYOKSHI], KR
• Hometown: KENAI, ALASKA, US
• Hometown: KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON, US
• Hometown: SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, US
• Hometown: VALLEY CENTER, CALIFORNIA, US