Dragoons get lesson in Spiritual Survival

ZABUL, AFGHANISTAN

12.07.2010

Story by Sgt. Gerald Wilson 

2d Cavalry Regiment

ZABUL, Afghanistan - The Troopers from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, sailors and civilians of Combined Team Zabul filled their stomachs with turkey for Thanksgiving, and their spirits with renewed faith thanks to an old fashioned revival meeting.

The event entitled “Radical Revival” was held at the Community Chapel on Forward Operating Base Lagman and ran from Nov. 22 to 26. The meeting featured several guest preachers, skits and a lot of great Gospel music.

Radical Revival was the brainchild of 2SCR, FIRES Squadron Chaplain Capt. Doug Hogsten.

“I had some inspiration back in late July, early August that I was to do a week-long revival,” Hogsten said. “Because of operation tempo we weren’t able to do it in September but then I got to pondering that it would be great to do a Thanksgiving revival.”

Hogsten admitted he was surprised at the turnout for the event, as well as his congregation’s reaction.

“I wanted to expose these soldiers to a revival,” he continued. “Some of the soldiers who attend as well as the civilians, are not from a religious background or familiar with any of this, but they really stepped up and began to worship.”

“Even though some of them aren’t gospel or Pentecostal or a background of that nature they really began to worship and I thought this will be astounding,” he said.

According to Hogsten attendance of the services ranged from 40 to more than 50 each night. Many of those who attended deemed the event a success and were moved by the messages preached.

“It kind of opened my eyes a bit,” said Pfc. Kathleen Dickerson, of Alpha106th Financial Management Company. “I have always said I was Christian, but not fully, now I am ready for it.”

Dickerson said the experience really opened her eyes.

“It made me realize that some of the things I was doing wasn’t living like Christ so I kind of changed my ways a little bit.” she continued. “God spoke to me and said I need you for this so go for it. We are lame and don’t hear well,” she said. “So I am going to try and listen to God more rather than saying no I can do it on my own.”

Another attendee deeply moved by the revival was Spc. Jerome Jones of 3rd Platoon Engineer Troop 2SCR.

“This meant a lot for me because I just recently lost my mom a few months ago,” said Jones. “I’ve come back and this event really strengthened me as a person. I am still dealing with the loss of my mom day by day but this revival really strengthened my relationship with God.”

“It strengthened me as a soldier as well, everything seems to be falling into place now,” he said. “This has built me up as a soldier and future NCO but more so as a human being spiritually.”

Both Jones and Dickerson were so moved by the revival that they chose to be baptized on the Sunday which followed the revival.

• Date Taken: 12.07.2010
• Date Posted: 12.07.2010 06:46
• Story ID: 61494
• Location: ZABUL, AF