The Georgia Wing achieved a milestone during its annual encampment by offering three distinct religious services, with a chaplain and a character development instructor from Georgia and a Tennessee Wing chaplain stepping up to serve more than 300 cadets with various religious backgrounds.
Leading services were Chaplains (Capts.) Paul Reaves and Jeffery Stath and Capt. Aizaz Shaikh, a character development instructor. Each worship session allowed cadets to ask questions and gain insights into the represented religions, fostering a deeper understanding among participants.
Reaves, Stath, and Shaikh addressed the cadets’ questions, providing valuable information and perspectives.
Reaves, the Georgia Wing’s chaplain, grew up in a Baptist family and later studied theology extensively, comparing different interpretations of Christianity. He found that Southern Baptist beliefs aligned best with his understanding of scripture, reaffirming his faith. He has been a Civil Air Patrol member since April 2005.
Stath was raised by an Orthodox Jewish mother and a Catholic father. In college he explored Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. His faith solidified through pivotal moments in his life, including his father’s questioning and an experience with a sign that read, “Whose fool are you? I’m a fool for Jesus.”
Stath serves as a chaplain of Christian faith, ministering to members of the Tennessee Wing’s Cleveland and Cumberland composite squadrons, the Rhea County Flight, and Group 2. He joined CAP in February 2003.
Born and raised Muslim, Shaikh explored other religions during college, which strengthened his belief in Islam. He spoke about the miracles he experienced in his life, including his father’s recovery from polio and his own survival of a severe car accident, which reinforced his faith.
“There have been things like that I’ve experienced in life that I’d be kind of dumbfounded if I didn’t believe,” said Shaikh, character development instructor for the Gwinnett County Composite and Barrow-Jackson Cadet squadrons and a CAP member since June 2009.
Reaves emphasized the significance of offering multiple religious services at the encampment.
“We host more than just three faiths here, and we aim to minister to everyone,” he said. “The inclusion of diverse religious services allows cadets to explore different aspects of faith, encouraging empathy and connection.”
Faith provides stability, Reaves said, serving as an anchor.
Stath said relating to cadets in their own faith fosters a sense of belonging and respect among participants.
“We all feel separated from others because of our individuality, background, or upbringing. In Civil Air Patrol, you belong to something bigger than yourself,” heh said. “The synergy of the group, whether that’s a flight or a squadron, gives you identity and character.”
Shaikh addressed the challenges of growing up as a Muslim in America. He also discussed the importance of representation, adding that his role as a character development instructor allows him to advocate for including all beliefs in Civil Air Patrol.
At the end of the day, we have similar values,” he said. “If we look beyond religion, we can work together toward the common goal, which is what Civil Air Patrol is all about.”
“The basis of all our religions is faith,” Stath said. “Faith gives you the impetus, the inner strength, to do more than you can and become more than you think you are.” _____Cadet 2nd Lt. Kristyann BrownGolden Isles Cadet SquadronGeorgia Wing
