22nd Army chief of chaplains joins KMC for prayer, pancakes

By Greg Jones, 21st TSC Public AffairsOctober 23, 2015

22nd Army chief of chaplains joins KMC for prayer, pancakes
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany --Ramona Denefield sings a rousing rendition of "Amazing Grace" during the Rheinland-Pfalz community prayer breakfast Oct. 21 at the Ramstein Air Base Officer's Club. The prayer breakfast is a traditional function conducted in... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
22nd Army chief of chaplains joins KMC for prayer, pancakes
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Attendees take notes and follow along with scripture readings during the Rheinland-Pfalz community prayer breakfast Oct. 21 at the Ramstein Air Base Officer's Club. The prayer breakfast is a traditional function conduc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
22nd Army chief of chaplains joins KMC for prayer, pancakes
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — The U.S. Army Europe Band performs during the Rheinland-Pfalz community prayer breakfast Oct. 21 at the Ramstein Air Base Officer's Club. The prayer breakfast is a traditional function conducted in communities througho... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
22nd Army chief of chaplains joins KMC for prayer, pancakes
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Col. James Watson, Installation Management Command-Europe chaplain, offers a prayer for deployed troops during the Rheinland-Pfalz community prayer breakfast Oct. 21 at the Ramstein Air Base Officer's Club. The prayer ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
22nd Army chief of chaplains joins KMC for prayer, pancakes
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany —Maj. Gen. Duane A. Gamble, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command offers opening remarks during the Rheinland-Pfalz community prayer breakfast Oct. 21 at the Ramstein Air Base Officer's Club. The pra... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
22nd Army chief of chaplains joins KMC for prayer, pancakes
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Retired Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Douglas L. Carver, the 22nd Army chief of chaplains, took a turn at the piano before taking to the podium during the Rheinland-Pfalz community prayer breakfast Oct. 21 at the Ramstein Air Base ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- The 22nd Army chief of chaplains gathered with key leaders and military personnel across the Kaiserslautern Military Community for an energetic, festive and musical Rheinland-Pfalz community prayer breakfast Oct. 21 at the Ramstein Air Base Officer's Club.

Retired Maj. Gen. Douglas L. Carver, who currently serves as the executive director of chaplaincy services for the North American Mission Board, joined leaders, Soldiers, Airmen and Civilians for prayer, song and hearty cuisine.

Maj. Gen. Duane A. Gamble, commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, celebrated diversity in faith during his opening remarks.

"There are a lot of different faiths represented in the military services, and we don't all think exactly alike," he said. Gamble highlighted the value of diversity and contrast in faiths.

"In fact," he noted, "some of our beliefs contradict each other in terms of the spirituality of life. It's diverse. It's complicated. And I think that's pretty cool!"

The prayer breakfast is a traditional function conducted in communities throughout the military. At this event, community members from various faiths and congregations gathered for a breakfast, followed by fellowship, prayer and a celebration the role of faith in the military services.

A series of chaplains followed the commanding general and preceded the guest speaker to the podium, offering prayers, reflections and good humor. The event also featured musical performances by the U.S. Army Europe Band and several community members. Carver himself took to the piano to play and sing a spiritual song before giving his remarks.

Carver became the first Southern Baptist in more than a half century to serve as Army chief of chaplains when he assumed the role in 2007. He held the position until his retirement in 2011 after 38 years of military service. Nor was Carver making his first trip to Germany. He served previously as V Corps and USAREUR command chaplain.

The topics Carver discussed included the importance of faith to Soldiers and Airmen in combat environments, the role faith-based values play in the services, and ways in which leaders can discuss topics of faith without interfering with religious liberty.

"Regardless of your rank, I don't see any problem with you as a leader, when asked and when appropriate, sharing what it is that gives you hope, that gets you through to that next challenge in life," said Carver. "I'm thinking now of my former corps commander. Whether he was speaking in chapel, or in the streets of Baghdad, he would always close with a portion of Psalm 144: 'Praise be to the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.'"

Related Links:

USAREUR

21st TSC