Chaplain continues gospel services at Taqqadum

Photo By Sgt. Jason Mikeworth | Chaplain (Capt.) Chris Wallace, the battalion chaplain for the 44th Corps Support Battalion, delivers the weekly news to parishioners at the Springlake Chapel at Camp Al Taqqadum.  

AL TAQADDUM, IRAQ

05.05.2006

Courtesy Story

207th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP AL TAQQADUM, Iraq - Providing religious services to military members at Camp Al Taqqadum requires faith, both in a higher power and the dedication of a few volunteers.

Chap. (Capt.) Chris Wallace arrived at Taqqadum with the 44th Corps Support Battalion to find a newly established gospel service in place. Noting his limited experience with this style of worship, he reached out for volunteer assistance.

"Gospel services always do well in military posts. They're always the highest attendance with the most support from Soldiers and civilians," Wallace said. "The chaplain before me had just started one here, and I contacted the gospel service on the main side [Camp Al Taqqadum] and asked if there was anyone who could come over and help us out. They sent us Gunnery Sgt. Thurman Lofton."

Wallace said Lofton helped steer the gospel service for three months while ministering to Soldiers. When he redeployed to the U.S., Wallace looked for other volunteers to assist with the services.

"There were some Soldiers in the battalion who were ministers back in the States that had been working with Gunny Sgt. Lofton," said Wallace. "They filled the gap when he left."

Wallace said finding volunteers wasn't difficult, though he made sure the Soldiers had both the qualifications and dedication required to run a regular religious service. After spending some time with each volunteer, he found their personalities matched the needs of a gospel service.

"Their personality is the type that's just right for the gospel service. Mine's not cut just right for that," Wallace said. "They are very motivational speakers, charismatic."

Staff Sgt. H. Rico Hopson, from the 694th Maintenance Company, volunteers as the Sunday school teacher.

"I'm a chairman deacon in my church in North Carolina and a Sunday school teacher," Hopson said. "The Sunday school teacher here when we arrived was rotating back to the States, and the Lord made way for me to step up."

Wallace said Hopson is a perfect fit for the position.

"Sergeant Hopson brought his own resources for Sunday school," Wallace said. "He does his study ahead of time, is very interactive and knows his stuff."

Hopson, a Soldier from the North Carolina National Guard, said he has taught Sunday school in the U.S. for about two years.

"It's something I'm used to doing. It just seemed the natural flow," Hopson said. "The feeling I get from teaching is that it's my calling. I feel the Lord has called me to proclaim His gospel. I owe him that."

Hopson also said that he doesn't feel like he is doing anything special, but that he feels God works through him in his lessons.

"I try to stay humble about it. It gives me a certain satisfaction to know I'm working for him. It's a lot of responsibility," Hopson said. "Am I nervous before God's people? Yes, but I try to keep myself prepared and do the best I can."

Sgt. Ronnie Croker, who shares pastoral duties with Sgt. Bryant Brown for the gospel service, is an ordained minister who volunteered with Brown to take over Lofton's position when the Marine left.

"I started ministering when I was 17, so I've been doing it for a few years," said Croker. "I"d felt the calling to minister, but I resisted it for a while because I didn't want to mess it up. Now, it's like a hand in a glove to me."

Croker said he feels that he contributes to the positive spiritual growth of his parishioners.

"I feel like I've helped a lot of people spiritually," Croker said. "It's always good to see people do something positive in their life. I think I'm making a difference."

Croker also conducts a bible study class once a week in addition to his mission with the 694th communications and electronics shop and volunteering as a pastor on Sunday.

"The chaplain extended an invitation for people who had a ministry or a gift to come in and fulfill their spiritual mission here," said Croker.

"The other minister who ran this service rotated out, so the Lord asked me and Minister Brown to step in."

Croker said he has a feeling of joy each Sunday when he steps down from the pulpit.
"The main feeling I get is a good feeling that I tried to focus people's attention to a source of strength and power," Croker said. "I feel a love that can help people out."

Croker pointed out that everyone contributes, regardless of rank or duty position, to helping the service thrive.

"We have really good support from our command. Look at the battalion commander, he just jumped out there on the drums and started helping out," Croker said in reference to Lt. Col. Pete Herting, the commander of the 44th CSB. "He has a talent and a gift for that. Our drummer left, and the next thing we know, he's playing."

Chief Warrant Officer Anthony Adams, who is attached to the 529th Ordnance Company and volunteers as the choir director, said he gives his time to help maintain a choir he described as "incredible."

"The choir was already established when I got here," Adams said. "I saw at that time, though, that there was a need for someone to take charge, so I stepped out in faith to keep up the excellence that was here."

The choir director said he hasn't held the position before, but that he has faith that the volunteers will overcome any challenges they face.

"The only choir experience I had was singing in a choir when I was a young kid," said Adams. "But, based on the gospel videos and other choirs I've seen I've developed my own way of directing the choir."

Adams said the choir adds energy to the service and helps the congregation to relax.

"It's a blessing, very inspirational. The brothers and sisters singing in the choir are letting the Lord use them," Adams said. "They also encourage my heart. It gives me the strength to continue to go on."

Wallace said the volunteers are a blessing, and called their contribution to the religious services here "wonderful work."

"They motivate and strengthen me," said Wallace. "I'm able to attend the service to support and enjoy it. I don't have to supervise."

• Date Taken: 05.05.2006
• Date Posted: 05.05.2006 04:31
• Story ID: 6286
• Location: AL TAQADDUM, IQ