Concerned About Available Religious Programs....????

[outma101]

Hey Everyone,
I am currently beginning the process of recruitment and going to join the NAVY, I am hoping to head off to boot camp between July and October, preferably in the summer months, as so I don't have to deal with the cold weather on top of the already difficult boot camp. But I noticed while doing some research, that they don't offer religious services in my Christian denomination, Methodism. I am very much dedicated to my denomination and would not be happy attending any of the offered services. What can I do? What are my options? I am not currently regularly attending services but intend to begin regularly attending again once I enter boot camp, and to use that as support, a moral booster, and just for the Lords assistance in taking on the biggest challenge I have ever accepted! Please this is very important to me and I really am concerned deeply about this!

Thank you very much!
Alan O.

[Cindy Corpsman Mom]

Hi Alan,

First of all, thank you for accepting this challenge and bc will be a big one. I know the difficulty you are facing. Our 'denomination' is not one that is offered there either. With that being said, my advice to you is to try out one or two that is closest to Methodist. It may not be exactly the same, but my guess is one will be close enough you'll feel comfortable attending. I would also encourage you to start attending your church regularly before you leave. That will put you in the habit of attending rather than trying once you get there. It will be difficult for you to attend due to all that goes on during the week; but, with desire, determination, and asking the Lord's help to make it every Sunday, I know you can. We, as a Navy family, are already supporting you and your family. I hope you'll be able to leave when you hope to. My son was there from June - mid Dec. and he was ready to get out of there due to the cold. You are allowed to take a small Bible with you to bc. Best wishes to you. Cindy

[Steve's Mom]

Hey Alan, there is a religious ministry team at the base, I do not know if there are accommodations for this specific religion. I would encourage you to discuss this with your recruiter and if he can not find the answers to contact RTC at rtc.pao.mil

[Hoppi aka Angie]

There are soo many religion's that the Navy does not offer all of them, but they do not have services for some religions. When you get to your first duty station they have what is called lay leaders. Which are people who lead bilbe study for which ever religion they are and other people would like to join.

As was said you can take a bible with you.

[Simone]

Alan, I love your passion. It is awesome to see that in a young Navy recruit which will make you an incredible sailor. I see amazing men and women making the same dedication to our country as you have to being Methodist. Hang on to that and the Navy will fit you well. Here is one challenge that might be within you: God, this amazing God that you worship that put that passion inside of you for your religion, may be challenging you to lean on Him and not the services. Believe me, He is not asking you to make compromises by attending a service you are not comfortable with, but maybe, through boot camp you will need to rely on the God that is the foundation of your faith. Recently, I became very ill and I went to my church to heal. Someone said to me, 'It's interesting you had to go somewhere to find that." God is inside of you and He will give you peace in finding him amidst the most unusual surroundings.

"May this God that you worship meet you right where you are. May He speak to you in ways you have never heard Him before. May you find a deeper passion for that which God, Himself has already placed inside of you. May you find strength in each day, in each situation, and in every decision that you are about to make. May you feel how proud He is of you, and may you find Him everywhere your life takes you."

And Alan, God wanted me to tell you today that He is particularly fond of you.

[outma101]

Thank you all for your responses, support, and advice! I appreciate them all, and will definately keep everything you said in mind!

God Bless:
Alan O.

[Valerie (Adam's Mom)]

Alan, when I went to my sons graduation we went to service on sunday with my son they sing some worship music then they go over the Lords word. Hearing the Lords word I believe will help u get thru b/c till u get where your school will be then find a methodist church

[Scott - Megan's Husband]

You get lumped into Protestant.

[Michelle (Ethan's Mom)]

Alan,
Military boot camps have to take in whatever comes through the gate, and because our nation is so incredibly diverse, that means many different denominations of faith. The services provided act as a foundation to put the attendees in the attitude of worship, to help them channel their faiths. You can spend time reading your Bible and discussing your particular denomination with others who believe as you. I raised my son in the Methodist faith, and he had no conflicts whatever with the services provided on the base. Faith is a personal thing, a commitment you make to GOD. You make that commitment, and let GOD do the rest. HE will cause a miracle through you, to HIS glory. For where two or more are gathered in HIS name...there HE will be also.

[Bette]

Alan, congradulations on your decision to serve your country! You are absolutely correct that your faith will offer you support, be a moral booster as well as help assist you in one of the biggest challenges of your life so far. God will be with you every step of the way, in and out of church. It's the personal relationship with God you already have that will offer you the most. You will hook up with others to have fellowship with, regardless of their denomination. Remember - God doesn't give you the people you want, He gives you the people you NEED. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be.


Philippians 4:13 --- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.

God Speed

[outma101]

To all who responded,

Thank you all so very much! I appreciate your advice, support, and wisdom so very much!
All of you who made qoutes from the bible I have written those down and will carry them with me, and go back and read them when ever I need guidance and moral upliftment! Thanks again!

God Bless
Alan O.

[Viki]

My daughter is agnostic but says she will go to church on Sundays to get out of boot camp for a while. That is a foot in the door as far as I am concerned !

[BarbaraJane]

As a Methodist, I have attended with my son the "protestant" service available to the recruits at GL. It was a contemporary service similar to the contemporary service in my local Methodist church. Based on my personal experience attending Methodist services in various parts of the country, it certainly fell within expected. For a denomination based on the works of a man that held church services outside the coal mines, I think Methodism it very flexible. In any event, sometime while you are at boot camp you should have an opportunity to visit with a chaplain about this. Obviously, not the first day you get there, you'll be a little busy.
By the way, getting to BC in October can put you there for some really cold days. The shores of Lake Michigan do some interesting things to the weather. Getting there in August, which my son did, can leave you with some really hot days too. Hey, it's BC, weather won't be one of the a major obstacles.