Chaplain driven to ‘learn, grow and serve’

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This article was published 09/03/2022 (1537 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CFB SHILO — CFB Shilo Chaplain Capt. David (Euikyun) Chang is setting off on a unique journey with the Canadian military.

Being a chaplain has been part of Chang’s journey to “learn, grow and serve,” he said.

He is in a unique position as a new chaplain with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) because his service has solely taken place during COVID-19.

Serving during the pandemic has been challenging, he said, but it has also served as an opportunity to develop and find other ways to approach and support military members and families.

“Accessibility is very easy for them. Without knowing about their concerns, the people, I cannot serve them,” Chang said. “They do not even need to make an appointment to see me because I’m there.”

It is critical to know about and connect with his fellow soldiers and their families, so he can better understand what they need. He noted a chaplain is not only for those who are religious — he provides care for everyone on the base.

Chang first came to Canada from Seoul, South Korea, in 2009.

He arrived at the Winnipeg airport in the middle of winter with temperatures hovering around -50 C.

“It was really cold, but people’s hearts were really warm,” Chang said with a grin.

From there, he served at a Canadian congregation for 10 years. As a new Canadian, he was driven to learn about the culture of the country so he could better serve his congregation.

“During my ministry, I felt that I was missing something important. One of the examples is that whenever I met veteran families and also military members in my congregation, whenever they shared their stories — the military life and the life of a military family — it was not easy for me to empathize and catch their deep feelings,” Chang said.

He read books related to the topic, but found it was not enough to quench his thirst for knowledge and empathy.

His path eventually led him to learn about the possibility of becoming a military chaplain. The idea stuck in his mind, and he began to research the role to learn about the responsibilities and history of the chaplaincy in the military.

“It was very close to the ministry I was looking for,” Chang said. “I decided to challenge myself to be a chaplain in the CAF.”

These beliefs compelled Chang to join the forces because he believed he needed the education and experience the military provided.

Pursuing the role was not only about his ministry, he said, but for his personal goals and identity. In order to join the military as a chaplain, Chang had to be a Canadian citizen, and at the time he was a permanent resident.

“I think being a chaplain in the CAF, what a wonderful, wonderful chance for me to be a Canadian,” Chang said.

He applied for the chaplain position in 2020 after receiving his citizenship in 2019.

Chang has now completed his basic military training along with a couple of chaplain courses and is now waiting for his first posting as a CAF chaplain.

Chaplain training is a constant process, he added, explaining any time they have a different meeting, they receive an education based on the mission and operation.

Before any type of deployment, they have training for the specific mission and operation so they can support members to the best of their abilities.

“It’s kind of a pyramid. You have a general training as the basic training, but before the specific operations … you need to know what you have to do and what you can do.”

Being a chaplain has been an experience that has pushed him to learn and grow as a person. He has received many opportunities to learn through the CAF Chaplaincy Branch about the military, government systems and Canadians over the past 18 months.

“I had time to be trained and be familiar with the military culture, even though my learning never ends,” Chang said. “It was enough for me to start my ministry as a chaplain.”

A chaplain supports the morale and well-being of CAF members and families and helps to develop their spiritual resilience.

Chaplains also advise the chain of command regarding religious and spiritual matters, issues as well as moral and ethical dilemmas. They offer compassionate support and care 24-7 and can refer members and their families to other wellness professionals, including social workers, psychologists or medical personnel as required.

They also provide chapel services according to members’ religious and faith traditions.

On his uniform, Chang wears the standard military badges, along with a special badge emblazoned with the cross representing Christianity. Other emblems are worn by other chaplains based on their religious and spiritual practices.

“When you look at our chaplain branch, you can see the tree at the centre. That is the Tree of Life,” Chang said.

The Tree of Life was chosen as a symbol to accommodate the different and diverse religions and spiritual practices by CAF members.

Chang noted that just because he wears the cross on his badge, it does not mean he only supports Christians.

“Anyone can come to the padre, the chaplain, to have counselling sessions and to receive the counselling services,” Chang said.

If he is unable to provide services or support, he is required to refer the member of the family to the proper chaplaincy.

Chang said in his experience, the best part of being a chaplain has been the people he has been able to connect with and support.

One of the most important pieces of chaplaincy is the ministry of presence, meaning they are not just waiting for members to come into the office for a visit, but rather going out and being present with the members of the community.

“We are with them wherever they serve — domestically, internationally, in the field, in the garrison; wherever they serve, chaplains are there and support them,” Chang said. “That is a fantastic thing.”

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