MacDill host spiritual resiliency luncheon

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jenay Randolph
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 6th Air Mobility Wing chapel hosted a Spiritual Resiliency luncheon May 20, 2015, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Spiritual Resiliency is one of the four pillars of the Airman Comprehensive Fitness along with mental, physical, and social.

The luncheon included a prayer for the nation, singing of hymns, various religious scripture readings, food and a guest speaker, Vice Adm. Mark Fox, U.S. Central Command deputy commander.

"We hosted it as our version of what is typically called the National Prayer Breakfast (or Luncheon)," explained Lt. Col. Andrew McIntosh, 6th AMW head chaplain. "The National Prayer Breakfast is a long standing tradition started in 1953 and is typically held the first Thursday in February."

The National Prayer Breakfast began as a series of meetings, luncheons, and dinners with typically some 3,500 guests in attendance. Currently, the National Prayer Breakfast is hosted by members of the United States Congress and is organized on their behalf by The Fellowship Foundation, a Christian organization.

"Spiritual Resiliency is founded on the fact that we all face adversity in life and we need to discover our ability to be resilient in order to stay strong in the face of adversity," expressed McIntosh.

Fox mentioned during his speech that we grow stronger through that adversity.  An old saying is "The body, mind and soul are very close neighbors, when one gets sick the others are soon to follow."

"This speaks of the interdependency of our body, mind and soul," continued Fox. "Spirituality is the realm of the soul and it is important to keep the soul healthy and strong in order to also have a truly strong mind and body."

The luncheon created an opportunity for service members and families to come together and fellowship.
 
"This was a great event that we hope to have each year and we strongly encourage people to come and be a part of this," expressed McIntosh. "Families were also welcomed as we know the spiritual well-being of your family has a direct impact on the Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Coast Guardsmen and Airmen who serves."