When I raised my right hand and swore in as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force,
I knew God had already called me to full-time Gospel ministry. What I didn’t know was just how
much my four years in uniform would prepare me for nearly two decades (and counting) as a
pastor.
Looking back, I can see with clarity that the Lord, in His providence, was training me for the
pastorate in ways I could have never imagined. The lessons, habits, and practices I learned as an
Air Force officer continue to shape how I shepherd the people God has called me to serve today.
Leadership as Influence, Not Control
I began my Air Force journey at Angelo State University, where I went through ROTC. There, I
first began to see the overlap between military leadership and pastoral ministry. Both are about
influencing people to pursue a mission that is bigger than themselves. In the military, that
mission is defending freedom through self-sacrifice. In the church, it is glorifying God, making
disciples, and advancing His Kingdom through self-sacrifice.
In fact, when I was offered the chance to select my career field, I chose Security Forces—not
because it was the most glamorous, but because it provided the most leadership opportunities.
My ROTC commander was surprised, since I graduated at the top of my class and could have
chosen a more sought-after career path like pilot or navigator. But I knew God would be using
this season to help prepare me for ministry and I wanted to be where I could learn leadership best.
As providence would have it, my very first assignment put me in charge of about 40 people. I
quickly realized that leadership wasn’t about control or rank; it was about influence. If I wanted
airmen to follow, I had to earn their respect, care for them, and show them how the mission was
worth it. That same principle holds true in the church. Pastors don’t coerce; they shepherd.
Leadership in the Kingdom looks like Jesus: serving, guiding, and influencing with love.
Ministry at 2 a.m.
One of the unexpected gifts of serving in Security Forces was the challenging hours. My airmen
worked odd shifts—guarding flight lines, checking IDs at gates, and patrolling the base while
others slept. At 2 a.m., chaplains were not usually stopping by the gate, but their flight
commander would.
That meant I often found myself in pastoral moments before I ever had the title of pastor. I
remember airmen confiding in me about everything from domestic struggles to doubts about
faith. One young man came to my office, burdened by the thought of possibly having to take
another person’s life in the line of duty. He was considering becoming a conscientious objector.
Because he knew I was a Christian, he sought me out. That day, by God’s grace, I was able to
share the Gospel with him—and we knelt in my office as he repented and believed in Jesus as
Lord and Savior.
It was in moments like those I realized God wasn’t just preparing me for ministry in the future.
He was letting me do ministry right then, in uniform.
Learning to Communicate Clearly
After two years at Shaw Air Force Base, in Sumter, S.C., I pursued an instructor position at Camp
Bullis in San Antonio. Why? Because I knew it would force me to grow as a communicator.
Every day I would be teaching, and I saw that as preparation for preaching.
Before I could step into that role, I went through the Basic Instructor Course—a grueling 160
hours focused solely on communication. My instructors tracked every word, every pause, every
distracting “um” or “uh.” It was humbling, but it was also transformative. I came out of that
experience with a deep appreciation for clarity and precision in speech.
To this day, when I stand behind a pulpit, I remember those lessons. Preaching is not about
showing off verbal skill, but about clearly communicating God’s truth so people can hear,
understand, and respond. The military gave me invaluable practice in that discipline.
Administration and Accountability
Later, I served as the executive officer for the 343rd Training Squadron. That season was a lot
less fun for me as it involved paperwork, schedules, and lots of administrative detail. At first, I
didn’t enjoy it. But I later realized how essential it was for pastoral ministry. Churches need
shepherds who not only preach but also manage wisely and delegate effectively.
In the Air Force, annual performance feedback was required. Job descriptions were clear.
Expectations were set. Standards were high. Accountability was normal. That shaped how I led
staff and volunteers in the church. Too many churches drift because expectations are fuzzy and
accountability is lacking. But I learned early that clarity and accountability are acts of love—they
help people grow and keep the mission forefront.
I also learned how to address conflict in a healthy way. In the Air Force, we used verbal
warnings, written reprimands, and follow-up to help airmen grow. The church doesn’t use those
exact tools, but accountability and discipline are biblical. Hebrews 12 reminds us that discipline
(loving instruction) is evidence of love, not the absence of it.
The Ministry of Presence
One of the most overlooked lessons I learned in the military was the power of presence. As an
officer, simply showing up—at the gate, on the flight line, in the barracks—mattered. My airmen
noticed when I was present. They noticed even more when I was absent.
The same is true in the pastorate. Shepherding cannot be done from a distance. Jesus said the
good shepherd “knows his sheep” (John 10:14). That requires presence—in hospital rooms, at
funerals, in counseling sessions, at potlucks, and yes, sometimes at 2 a.m. when the phone rings.
Pastoral ministry is not just preaching sermons; it is being present and enjoying the people of
God.
A Providence of Preparation
When I reflect on those four years in the Air Force, I see them as a sweet providence of God. He
used that season to teach me how to lead, how to communicate, how to administer, and how to
Shepherd.
- I learned the pursuit of excellence—not for pride, but for the glory of God.
- I learned how to challenge others to become the best version of themselves—not for their own
- advancement, but for Kingdom impact.
- I learned how to balance strength and compassion—setting a high standard and holding people accountable while also caring for their souls.
- I learned how to lead in the trenches, not just from an office.
All of it has made me a better pastor. I can honestly say I would not be the leader or shepherd I
am today without my time in uniform.
I thank God for the military—not because it was easy (it wasn’t), not because it was glamorous
(it wasn’t), but because it was formative. It was God’s training ground, shaping me into the
pastor He has called me to be.
