An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Area faith leaders gather at Scott for event

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sarah Hall-Kirchner
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Illinois --  There are unique challenges faced by military families that the rest of the population might not ever encounter. Chaplains from Scott Air Force Base recognize this need and offer an annual Faith Leadership Luncheon to educate community faith leaders.

"Our military families connect with a variety of faith communities in the local area," said Capt. Eli Dowell, 375th Air Mobility Wing Chaplain. "There, they find support for all domains within the Comprehensive Airmen Fitness concept--physical, mental, social, and spiritual. By building collaborative relationships and equipping local faith leaders to understand and care for our Airmen we support the Air Force in providing mission-ready Airmen."

According to Dowell, studies show that military members are increasingly looking to outside agencies for support.

"Many of our Air Force family members have specific religious needs that are outside the endorsing requirements of our Chaplains," said Dowell. "By partnering with local faith leaders we are able to enhance the spiritual care available to our Air Force family."

Approximately 90 faith leaders from the surrounding community came to the luncheon. They represent many faiths, including Judaism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, various Christian protestant denominations, Baha'i, and Mormonism.

Darren McCormick, Central Christian Church of O'Fallon Senior Minister, attended the luncheon to discover more about the challenges military families face.

"It's insider information for someone like myself, who has not been in the military," McCormick said. "I'm looking to learn how to minister better to the military families in the area that come to our church or to those who might need our help in any way."
Dowell said that the luncheon serves to enhance the local faith community's toolset to serve the military, which is what faith leaders like McCormick need.

Community outreach is important, Dowell said, because it helps the community faith leaders to better understand military families.

"As important and helpful as it is for our families to find support in the community, civilian populations have often not experienced the same stressors facing military families," said Dowell. "Anything we can do to help the local community better understand what this unique lifestyle is like, the more effectively they can support our families."

Dowell expressed that the local community is a wonderful host to Scott AFB and for that reason, the luncheon also helps to show appreciation to local faith leaders.

"We control a large chunk of land, clog up their traffic, eat at their restaurants, populate their schools, and, once friendships start to build, we promptly leave to our next assignment," said Dowell. "We need to take every opportunity we can to say "thank you" to our gracious hosts for the support and care they consistently provide."

Members of Team Scott are encouraged to reach out to the base chapel as well.

"We are here for you," said Dowell. "Although we provide for the free exercise of religion, our counseling expertise reaches far beyond the religious domain. We offer support from the practical, to the relational, to the spiritual. We are here to help you through whatever need you have."

Sometimes, military members or their families are afraid to reach out for help because they are afraid of the repercussions, but chaplain help is 100 percent confidential, said Dowell.

"Come see us," said Dowell. "Our counseling is 100 percent confidential. If your need is outside of our skillset, we have strong relationships with all the agencies on base and can provide you counsel on what resource would best fit your need. If you are unsure of where to go, or how it will impact your career, we are a great place to start."

Chapel customer service hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Scott Chapel office number is 618-256-3303 and the email is 375.amw.hc@us.af.mil. After hours, a Chaplain is always available for emergencies through the Command Post at 618-256-5891.