Crosswinds good for pilot training, life

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Capt.) Zachary L. Nash
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Chapel
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  If you have flown at Vance Air Force Base, you have dealt with crosswinds. In fact, if you tried walking anywhere in Oklahoma, you know about crosswinds. Most of the time, we curse them and dream of flying or walking in calmer places. So why in the collective wisdom of the chapel staff did we decide to name the new contemporary service "CrossWinds?" It's because not all crosswinds are bad.

If you attended a pilot graduation at Vance, you may have heard the wing commander  speak about his days as a first assignment instructor pilot. He said with great pride, "I earned my wings at Laughlin AFB, Texas, but I learned to fly at Vance." 

Why does he say this? The answer is crosswinds. Crosswinds, he explained, caused him to become a better flyer and to make adjustments in his technique that helped him later in life. So, a seemingly bad thing became a breeze of good fortune and an opportunity to become a better wingman, leader and warrior.

"CrossWinds" is the new Protestant contemporary service and children's church at Vance. The chaplains chose "CrossWinds" as the name of the new service, because it has deep meaning in the Christian faith and has a special significance at Vance. The cross is central to Christians. In many ways, it was meant for evil, but has come to symbolize good and to show goodness to the world. Wind is often used in the Bible to refer to God's spirit and to mark a new movement in His people. The chaplains want this service to be an opportunity where people can choose to become better and to make adjustments that will help them later in life. As Chaplains, we hope the service will become a force of good and create opportunities for people to better their spiritual walk.

CrossWinds begins 11 a.m. Mar. 30 in the Vance Chapel. I will be teaching a three- week series on adventure management, dealing with conflict, busy-ness and relationships. Chaplain (Capt.) David Martinez will lead "CrossWinds for Kids" in the Chapel Community Activity Center, where parents can drop off children ages three to 12 prior to 11 a.m. worship.