Sheppard chaplains hit the airwaves

  • Published
  • By Debi Smith
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Sheppard Air Force Base Wing Chaplain (Col.) Steven Merrill and Chaplain (Capt.) Justin Combs were interviewed for an upcoming K-LOVE Radio broadcast by regional public affairs manager Felipe Aguilar Dec 1.

Aguilar, who served 10 years in the Marine Corps, manages the public relations duties of stations throughout El Paso, Midland, Odessa, San Angelo and Lubbock.

He decided to interview members from Sheppard AFB, Altus AFB and Fort Sill Army Post to highlight the role of the Chaplain Corps, foster community interest in the military and help support those deployed.

Merrill, recently assigned from Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio, spoke about the Chaplain Corps ministry duties in the service and support of military personnel and their families from his 27-year career perspective.

"The Chaplain Corps was created by President George Washington," he said. "In 1949, Chaplain Charles Carpenter led the first Air Force chaplaincy corps as the Air Force separated from the Army Air Corps."

The military chaplain's core values to Glorify God, Serve Airmen and Pursue Excellence align with the Air Force core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do.

"We must be holy at all times, in all places and serve all Airmen with all their needs," Merrill said. "We have a warrior call to care and look after each other."

"For me, the most gratifying part is how we perform that part of our duties and our mission that people will never see on paper," he said. "The confidentiality of going through the pains, sorrows, lives and crises of someone and then watching the miracle of healing happen as I prayer-partner with them - that is a gift between the person, me and God."

For Combs, the requirements to join the corps included a master's degree of 72 hours, ordination as a clergyman and an endorsement from his denomination.

As to why he joined the military, Combs responded, "It was a calling from God in an Air Force chapel at Langley Air Force Base, Va., while I was visiting family, and now, the thing I cherish the most is working on a chapel staff with so many diverse people."

As it happens, K-LOVE is the station you'll hear playing at the Sheppard Solid Rock Café, a facility designed to be an alcohol-free, drug-free environment where Airmen-in-Training can go to play games, watch television, de-stress in the kitchen, play music and receive counseling if they want it. The SRC offers something for everyone - a prayer meditation room, diverse religious studies and a home away from home.

"The Sheppard Solid Rock Café is an amazing place for us to do that," said Combs. "Airmen can join the White Rope Program to grow their leadership abilities. They run the facility, build pride while in training and take ownership of it."

With the Solid Rock Café in the spotlight and visiting units throughout the base, the chapel staff is able to create relationships by being more visible and when crisis points hit, people are more likely to come to them because they know them.

"This environment saves lives and for those who want to change or have direction in their lives, it can be life-changing," Combs said.

Asked about how the community could help the base, Combs took the opportunity to say that there are signs all over Wichita Falls of the love and support for the military.

"This is a special community that does more than any others we've seen," he said. "It was absolutely amazing how we connected 650 Airmen-in-Training with 200 local families for a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal during the annual Operation Thanksgiving event. It is truly unique here."

Merrill added, "We've been at war a long time and folks are getting a little bit tired. I'd offer that you say, 'Thanks for your service and you are in my prayers.' This is what buoys me up and all those that serve in the military the most."

The K-LOVE and Air 1 satellite network of 686 stations spans the nation as part of a non-profit organization that plays 99.8 percent music throughout the day. K-LOVE has been on the air for 28 years while Air 1 celebrates 21 years in the industry.

The 'Closer Look' segment airs on Sundays between the 7 - 7:30 a.m. timeframe, featuring service-oriented sectors of the community like First Step or Big Brothers, Big Sisters. For more information on when the Sheppard chaplains' interview will air, tune in to 90.5 FM or visit www.closerlook@klove.com.