Airmen encouraged to maintain faith during prayer breakfast

Photo By Senior Airman Anthony Sanchelli | Members of Team Incirlik sing "God Bless America," during the 2012 National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 8, 2012, at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. The annual event is held in conjunction with the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command Chaplain Col. G. Scott Henry attended to share words of wisdom as well as to encourage Airmen to be resilient to things that test their faith and to take care of each other.  

1, TURKEY

02.08.2012

Story by Senior Airman Marissa Tucker 

39th Air Base Wing

ADANA, Turkey - More than 200 members of the Incirlik community attended the National Prayer Breakfast held at the club complex here Feb. 8.

The annual breakfast included guest speaker Chaplain (Col.) G. Scott Henry, U.S. Air Forces in Europe command chaplain, who spoke about ways to keep one's faith during times of uncertainty and positively influence others.

"Our greatest opportunity is to create a positive environment individually and collectively," Scott said. "The creativity that's there, God created that."

Scott's speech centered on the "Terrible Twos" and explored how the topic is relatable across any racial or ethnic lines. He also discussed the natural curiosity that lies in each person and how to channel that to finding new ways to connect with people.

The audience listened intently as Scott shared personal experiences of loss and grief, and how a person can stand on the strength of another to see them through. He once lost a close friend and drew on his faith and the courage of others to accept the situation.

"Faith has helped me through each experience in my life," Scott said, "but, it's not just faith in God. It's faith in people, too. Being around groups of positive people helps us develop spiritually."

Several members of wing leadership attended the function and stressed the importance of airmen to acknowledge their right to religious freedom.

"The National Prayer Breakfast shines a light on the fact that all service members maintain their right to worship," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Scott Rummage, 39th ABW chaplain. "Our leadership recognizes that, and our government recognizes it, also."

The first official National Prayer Breakfast was held in 1953, but the origins date back to 1937 when then President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the superintendent of Goodwill Industries met to discuss a social relief program. Both parties reasoned that recent world troubles could be attributed to a need for a spiritual upsurge.

Soon after, more than 200 prayer breakfast groups arose and the idea eventually spread to the White House. Today, more than 3,000 people, including the president and political leaders from around the world, attend the annual event in Washington, D.C., usually held the first Thursday of February. The intent remains to be a forum for political, social and business leaders of the world to assemble and build relationships in faith.

• Date Taken: 02.08.2012
• Date Posted: 05.10.2012 03:28
• Story ID: 88203
• Location: 1, TR