JFHQ Religious Support Team Iowa Army National Guard

09/17/2025

09/17/2025

The Iowa National Guard Air and Army Chaplain Religious Support Teams and DOD Civilian’s from the Warrior & Family Services branch all gather together for joint training event in THRIVE. The Worldmaker’s THRIVE Resilience Program empowers communities with evidence-based, trauma informed training that provides practical tools to manage stress, build lasting resilience and support overall well-being.

Learn more: https://world-maker.org/veteran-military

06/29/2025

The Power of One

Today, nearly 200 soldiers—92 at Protestant service and 82 at Catholic Mass—took a knee, in quiet strength and spiritual courage. At Fort Johnson, LA, in the thick heat and high tempo of pre-mob training, they paused… to breathe, to reflect, to seek something greater.

Some came with deep faith. Some came with quiet questions. Some came because their soul needed rest more than their body did. But they came. And that matters.

Because there’s power in numbers—but there's also power in one.

One great God, worthy of our trust.
One team, united by grit, grace, and purpose.
One message of spiritual resilience and hope in the fight.
One chaplain, one religious affairs specialist/NCO, one Soldier—enough to hold a sacred moment.

As they preached, JRTC is hard by design. It refines. It exposes. It prepares. Sometimes, we only look up when the comforts of home are stripped away. Sometimes we only look inward when the terrain gets tough, the burdens get heavy and we ask if we have what it takes to go to war.

And in those crucible moments, we find something precious: a willingness to give. A shared MRE. A word of courage. A plan that helps the team move just a little bit further. A joke or memory or story that shares who we are.

We think of Father Emil Kapaun—who offered Mass on the hood of a Jeep for one Soldier (see the photo)…and that Soldier was his chaplain assistant. I wonder if afterwards, he was tempted to think…only one. But how about other numbers?

CH Kapaun stole food for the weak in a Korean POW camp saving over 50. He held back 3 enemy rifles with bare hands when men fell out. He gave his one life in a Korean prison camp and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. At his funeral decades later just four years ago, more than 6,000 came whose lives had heen touched.

Because one life given in love multiplies.

So today, we’re stirred—not just by the numbers, but by the reality that even if there had only been one… it would have been worth it. That one heart, one life, one seed of faith or comfort or hope—will bear fruit. In a unit. In a foxhole. In a future. In deployment to the Middle East.

To our fellow Unit Ministry Teams: keep serving. Keep showing up. You can help change the lives of those in front of you as you point to the one who has so changed yours.

“From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be rememberèd—
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.”
– Henry V

06/15/2025

Thankful to the 135th MPAD for capturing these photos of the 1-194 FA BN UMT CH (CPT) Josh Coulson and Religious Affairs NCO SGT Aden Ford.

Preaching about the love of the Heavenly Father and the heart for humanity on this 15 JUN 2025 Father’s Day, Fort Johnson 25-08 JRTC.

06/14/2025

They may be the youngest team at JRTC—but their hearts and calling run deep.

Religious Affairs Specialist Abby Devereux is just 19 years old, and Chaplain Candidate Caleb Winey is 26. Yet together, they are walking through some of the most difficult and formative ministry experiences the Army has to offer.

Chaplain Candidate Winey put it best: “The best part is the opportunity to experience real-life trauma—not because you want it to happen, but because you want to be there when it does. To be present in the moment when someone is having the worst day of their life and speak comfort and hope is so important.”

That presence matters. Whether it’s calling in a real-time 9-line Medevac call for a casualty or helping someone spiritually triage the invisible wounds, this duo is discovering that the call to chaplaincy is not abstract—it’s meaningfully showing up in the moment ready to be the calm in the midst of the storm.

For SPC Devereux, that truth came to light on a day they had to request a Medevac. “You realize how intense and important this calling is when it’s in action. It was sad to see someone hurting but also incredibly rewarding and meaningful to be able to be there.”

From talking to medics to helping set up the LZ (landing zone) for the bird, SPC Devereux worked as part of a seamless team, seeing firsthand what it means to put the care of one’s heart into action.

What this team may lack in years, they make up for in courage, compassion, and commitment. They remind us that age does not define ministry—heart, presence, and a willingness to enter the hard places do.

❤️ 💪 🚁

06/14/2025

From the Pulpit to the Cavalry – A Different Kind of Calling

Going from ministry to the military is never an easy leap—but when you’re stepping into the CAV, you’re entering a world with a culture all its own. Chaplain (CPT) Evan Johnson, a pastor from Ankeny, didn’t just transfer roles—he transitioned into a crucible. And in the cavalry, the testing matters. 🐴

In the 1-113th Cavalry Squadron, you don’t just wear the Stetson—you “earn your spurs.” That means 24 hours of smoke session, ruck march, land nav, little-to-no sleep, a test on history and all things “CAV” and being pushed to your physical and mental edge in the dead of night. Less than a third usually finish. But those who do are forged, not just tested. In the CAV they say: “If you ain’t CAV, you ain’t much.” (We’ll keep it chaplainy.)

Chaplain Johnson and his Religious Affairs NCO, SGT Postma, didn’t try to come in and act like they had all the answers. They came in to earn the right to speak. With humility, grit, and a quiet fire, they’ve made it their mission to be just 1% better every day. They have grown in no longer being worried about controlling every outcome or knowing everything to come —they’ve embraced a faith that says, “Let go and let God.” And that surrender has turned into their own quiet strength.

Their ministry is felt in quiet, sacred moments—over counsel and conversation, in the shadows of tents and the spaces between missions.

While we could quantify over 40 counseling sessions, 120 at chapel services, or several heartfelt encouraging words of the day, let’s talk about the quality of finally belonging. We heard about it: when the UMT came to one section, some Soldiers surprised them with a little chant of “Chappy, Chappy, Chappy!” and had prepared the team some makeshift MRE coffee ☕️—not because they preach at them, but because the team’s with them.

It’s not just about the message—it’s about this team being real, authentic, and present.

One Soldier recently approached Chaplain Johnson about being baptized. As five others listened in, “Chappy” gently walked him through what it could look like. He even connected that Soldier with a church back home so his family could witness his journey of new life. That’s the kind of spiritual readiness you can’t teach in a classroom. It’s earned through presence, patience, and peace.

They may not wear spurs yet—but they’ve earned something even greater: the trust of the troops and the sacred invitation to speak into lives in the hardest places and at the hardest times.

Well done, 1-113 UMT. You ride for the brand in a way that makes us proud, and we know you bring the right heart as you lean “always forward.”

06/13/2025

"Iron sharpens iron—and at JRTC, that truth is lived out daily. Whether it’s inter-branch rivalry, scrimmage football, or the grit of tactical competition, we thrive by pushing each other to the edge.

As Proverbs 27:17 says, 'As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.' These moments of challenge forge strength, unity, and readiness. Because when the game is over and the dust settles, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines alike will stand shoulder to shoulder—not as rivals, but as defenders of our nation, protectors of the Constitution, and guardians of a way of life entrusted to us by generations past." 🇺🇸

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BoBAiYAbE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

06/12/2025

“The Joy of Laughter in the Fight, a Muddy Water Ministry, and Comfort in the Sorrow”

— The Ministry of CH (CPT) Tim Hadley

Not every chaplain arrives at JRTC prepared to tell a dozen (bad) dad jokes, baptize someone, and conduct a memorial service…all on the same day. But then again, not every chaplain is Tim Hadley.

CH (CPT) Hadley, or “Pastor Tim” to those who know him best, brings a soulful presence into every space he steps into—whether it’s a field service, a hospital room, or a casual conversation in the company area. He’s a shepherd with a genuine curiosity about each individual who makes up a formation. And while he is never afraid to meet grief or crisis head-on with raw authenticity, he is also armed with a disarming laugh, a packet of Sour Patch Kids, or one of the corniest dad jokes you’ll ever hear. His ministry is joyfully human—and deeply divine.

This past year, CH Hadley has counseled over a hundred Soldiers in his 1-133 Infantry Battalion, headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa, as they prepared for this JRTC rotation and deployment. He stays “left of the CCIR bang,” building trust while courageously offering timely words to platoons, squads, and even senior leaders.

His ministry of comfort is not just Army-deep—it’s personal and profound. You see, Tim’s a high school principal. Years ago, when a student in his school was bullied for shaving his head in support of his grandfather with cancer, Principal Hadley shaved his own head in solidarity. The act made state and national headlines, but the heart behind it is the same one he brings to Soldiers today: you are seen, you are valued, you are not alone.

That heart carried into helping a Soldier who insisted on being baptized for “who knows what tomorrow brings.” This meaningful time took getting muddy and wet, symbolizing not only the raising to a purity of new life but also that to “meet someone” where the person is at, incarnationally we enter into the same places.

And when it comes to honoring the dead, CH Hadley shows up—every time. On Memorial Day, you’ll find him doing “The Murph,” addressing over 3,200 Facebook followers with a message of meaning, and volunteering for funeral honors more than any other Iowa National Guard chaplain.

But please know this: a JRTC rotation doesnt stop news of sorrows from back home. A Red Cross message arrived yesterday telling a Soldier his grandmother had passed. CH Hadley offered a small memorial service to help this Soldier grieve, and hard to not be moved or short of breath…the whole company turned out to support our prayer vigil and communion in her honor.

The Soldier was deeply moved. Yesterday was one of the most emotional days Tim says he’s had in service to God and Country.

What’s most striking about CH Hadley isn’t just what he does—it’s how he does it. With humor. With heart. With hope. In a profession that demands so much, he brings something rare: a ministry that comforts the wounded and honors the dead, while still lifting up the living. He may shrug it off and will say humbly “I don’t know what I’m doing because I don’t know any better,” but we know differently.

We know better because we’ve seen it: the joy in his presence, the fire in his messages, the peace and laughter he brings to the weary.

Thank you, CH Hadley, for showing us what it looks like to live a life poured out in service—always present, always pastoral, always all in.

06/12/2025

From Two Worlds, One Fight: A Ministry Team on Mission

In a place where fire missions echo and steel rain reshapes the battlefield, it’s only fitting that the unit ministry team supporting the King of Battle would bring that same reshaping power — not just to terrain, but to hearts and souls.

Meet Chaplain (CPT) Josh Coulson, a Protestant pastor with a contagious energy and natural charisma, and Religious Affairs NCO SGT Aden Ford, a devout Catholic and elementary school teacher with a contemplative spirit and steady presence. One outgoing, one reflective — together, they’re the perfect embodiment of balance. In their synergy, 1 + 1 doesn’t just equal 2. It multiplies.

This high-speed duo has conducted over a dozen field services, impacting more than 150 Soldiers. Whether it’s CH Coulson preaching with boldness in remote corners of the battlefield or SGT Ford quietly praying the rosary with troops in moments of stillness, their reach is deep and their ministry intentional.

But what truly sets them apart isn’t just their spiritual reach — it’s their operational excellence. SGT Ford’s mastery of the common operating picture, adjacent UMT overlays, friendly / enemy force tracking, force protection, and terrain analysis gives CH Coulson the situational awareness to move and communicate with precision — and to minister without hesitation. Together, they don’t just support the mission. They are part of the mission.

They “nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the fallen.” And they do it by improving their foxhole one percent each day — not for applause, but because they serve Soldiers who deserve that kind of love.

Different denominations. Different backgrounds. One unified fight.

This is what spiritual readiness looks like when it’s fueled by purpose, humility, and an unshakable call to serve.

06/11/2025

What Does It Mean to Sustain?

In the Army, sustainment is a warfighting function—food, fuel, logistics—the lifelines that keep the fight going. But who sustains the sustainers?

At the 185th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, it’s the quiet, relentless ministry of the Unit Ministry Team: CH (LT) Jesse Evans and Religious Affairs Specialists SPC McEnany and PFC Hook. This trio doesn’t just visit; they circulate the battlefield. They show up with muddy boots and open hearts, integrating with command teams and Soldiers alike, declaring through presence and care: “We’re your chaplain team. We’re here to serve you.”

That’s not always easy. Yesterday was dry and 93°F. Today? A downpour. But rain doesn’t stop ministry. It’s in the discomfort—on missions, in staff syncs, wet tents, unfamiliar faces—that true connection begins.

Six of the eight units they serve aren’t even from Iowa—they call Massachusetts, New York, and Utah home. And our RAS asked the right question: “Who should we spend most of our time with in our downtime?” The answer? With those who feel furthest. Sit with them. Learn about life in Boston or Salt Lake or upstate New York. Understand their job, their humor, their families. Because that old adage, “no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care” still rings true by a muddy JRTC tent.

And the result?

Today, as the roads churned with rain and the mission tempo pressed forward, the UMT stopped by the 1058th Transportation Co. from a small town on Boston Harbor as they were about to roll out. How was the visit received? “We were hoping you’d come. Can you pray with us?” So 25 Soldiers bowed their heads.

This team of three is new to these Soldiers. But they are known—not by rank, but by service. Not by words, but by presence. They sustain the spirit of those who sustain the force. With this team, 25 Soldiers from the 1058th bowed their heads.

Perhaps, General George C. Marshall said it best: “The Soldier’s heart, the Soldier’s spirit, the Soldier’s soul are everything. Unless the Soldier’s soul sustains him, he cannot be relied upon and will fail himself and his country in the end.”

To CH Evans, SPC McEnany, and SPC Hook: thank you for showing us what sustainment looks like—heart, soul, and muddy boots.

💚 💪 🥾

06/10/2025

Lead. Learn. Love.

Three UMTs. One mission. Many lives touched.

Lead. 🤙
At the helm, CH Murphy and SSG Billy Payne set the tone. This Brigade UMT doesn’t just manage—they lead. SSG Payne’s watchful eye ensures force protection, while CH Murphy brings spiritual grounding and direction to the entire BDE HQ. More than preaching, he nests leadership intent, coordinates efforts, and bridges communications across teams. Under their guidance, no Soldier is left unseen. No UMT forgotten. Leadership isn’t a task—it’s a calling they live out daily.

Learn. 💭
From Colorado “next to” Iowa, CH Kyle O’Brien and his Religious Affairs NCO SGT Vera from the 1-157 INF show us that “one team, one fight” is more than a slogan—it’s a lifestyle. Their ministry is reflective, soul-stirring, and rooted in Scripture. They remind us that stillness matters. That in the chaos of JRTC, God’s Word remains a lamp to our feet. Their teaching isn’t loud, but it is deep. They invite us to imagine, to meditate, to learn again how God’s goodness steadies us in disorienting terrain.

Love. 💚
Then there is the team of CH Hawkins, SSG Sorenson, and SGT Wilson—1-168 INF—the embodiment of sacrificial love. I saw them once, quietly positioned in the wood line, preparing spiritually even as the fight loomed. Their message? In impossible situations? A Miracle Worker and the Way, the Truth, the Life. But it wasn’t just their words. It was their presence. When the heat casualties overwhelmed the AO, they responded without hesitation—praying, tending, caring, loving. I was moved not only by how they served the hurting, but how they loved each other. Taking a knee when needed. Watching over one another. That’s ministry.

These are just three of the many incredible UMTs out here at Fort Johnson—chaplains, Religious Affairs NCOs, and specialists doing quiet, tireless work to care for those who serve and sacrifice. They don’t always get seen. But today—we see them.

Lead. Learn. Love.
That’s what it looks like. That’s what it means.

What do I get to do? Observe. Coach. Train. But mostly be inspired.