AF Chief of Chaplains speaks at Tyndall National Prayer Breakfast

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Headquarters U.S. Air Force chief of chaplains visited Tyndall to give a sermon to Team Tyndall during the Tyndall National Prayer Breakfast March 15.

Chaplain, Maj. Gen. Dondi E. Costin establishes guidance and provides advice on all matters pertaining to the religious and moral welfare of Air Force personnel.

“This was a great day,” said Maj. Leif Espeland, 325th FW head chaplain. “The whole chapel staff is honored to have Chaplain Costin here today. But it’s an even greater honor to be here at Tyndall and help people in their life of faith.”

Before the sermon began, prayers for the nation and its leaders were offered. Mr. Dennis Dillenschneider recited a Catholic prayer, followed by a Protestant prayer from Capt. Robert Tilley, 325th Fighter Wing chaplain, and ending with an Islamic prayer by Imam Amr Dabour.

“Thanks for being here as we celebrate life of faith in our nation,” said Costin during his opening remarks. “Faith has always been part of the fabric and foundation of our nation. In the Air Force Chaplain Corps, we talk about a thing we call faith works, because faith, works.”

During the sermon, Costin reiterated that location is not what matters to the faith one has; it is the foundation of that faith that’s most important.

“We say faith works because it is essential to people’s well-being,” Espeland said. “If you have a solid foundation, and in this case, strong faith life, one can weather the storms of life much better.”

Costin compared it to a house built where there were a lot of storms and hurricanes. The location of that house should not matter if the foundation of it was built strong, with patience and time.

“You don’t know when the storm is coming, that is why spiritual fitness is the most important kind of fitness you will ever have,” Costin said. “It’s not location, location, location that matters it’s foundation, foundation, foundation that matters.

“Faith works, if you work your faith. Amen,” said Costin in his closing remarks.