Ministry Center opens in Chapel

Naval Air Station Corpus Christi officially opened its new Ministry Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, July 2.

The Ministry Center was built as part of the extensive renovations of the Protestant Chapel following hurricane damage caused in 2017. It houses the offices for the Religious Ministry Team, including the chaplains, religious program specialists, Catholic priest and CREDO facilitator.

“The roof was replaced and new HVAC system was installed,” said NASCC Command Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Dan Curtis. “Now designated as the NASCC Ministry Center, it centers around the “Chapel Café” with comfortable seating, a relaxed atmosphere for studying or re-charging, entertainment options and light refreshments for up to about 80 people.”

According to Curtis, the relocation of many office spaces on the installation after Hurricane Harvey provided the impetus to get the project started, although the idea of establishing religious ministry offices within the chapel building was envisioned for several years prior to the hurricane’s impact.

“The whole Religious Ministry Team is located together, and the variety of services can be seamlessly connected - provision of religious services; support and facilitation of other religious groups; and care, counseling and resiliency building for all,” said Curtis. “The new environment is especially conducive to the team continually moving outside our own walls, to increase our presence in the life and work of the whole NASCC and tenants’ community.”

That accessibility and availability of personnel and services were key factors in the planning and design stages of the Ministry Center.

“Our primary aim was to place the Religious Ministry Team where they are easily found, where we can maintain a welcoming location for people to study, recharge and refresh, and where the unique confidentiality of chaplains’ care can be effectively maintained,” Curtis said. “Many of the chaplains’ most critical opportunities to serve are unexpected; and many of the people whom we care for never planned to need a chaplain. It is above all at those unplanned moments that we expect people will most naturally look for a chaplain at the chapel facilities.”

Although the Ministry Center currently open and the staff is standing by to assist in every way they can, Curtis hopes to expand their services in the future.

“The RPs are immediately inside the doors to direct people to what they are looking for, whether that is simply a quiet space for personal use; light refreshments; or care from the chaplains or staff,” said Curtis. “Movies or games are available and we anticipate offering free WiFi in the near future. In upcoming months, we look forward to hosting the popular USO lunches on Wednesdays while the USO facilities are under renovation.”

The Ministry Center entrance is located on the South side of the Protestant Chapel facing the golf course, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.