Zambia, South Africa: The Deputy Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander and Chief of Air Staff (COAIRS), Maj Gen Oscar Nyoni, has said that Chaplains had the mandate to minister to personnel during peace time and war time.
Maj Gen Nyoni was speaking during the first ever Chaplains Induction ceremony on 09 June 2023.
The Deputy Air Force Commander and COAIRS mentioned that none of the Air Force Chaplains has ever been formally inducted into the Air Force and that it is an important spiritual requirement to recognise that which God Almighty has established.
Maj Gen Nyoni said the induction was of great significance as it demonstrated that the office holders of chaplaincy can now operate in a manner prescribed by God and in turn, be of relevant support and impact lives, as recorded in Deuteronomy 20:1-3.
He also said that chaplains are given the spiritual mandate to minister to the troops both in peace and war time. He added that their ministry of presence is impactful and relevant and carries a life transforming message of value, hope and assurance that God is with the troops and their families, Command and the nation as they rally to do God’s will and fulfil the Devine mandate of keeping the nation at peace.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Director Chaplaincy Col. Moffat NYAMBE said, “Today, we rejoice in the goodness and faithfulness of God to have brought us this far”.
He mentioned that the vision of the Chaplaincy Directorate is to meet the spiritual needs of the personnel, their families and civilian employees through counselling, prayer, ministration, and addressing the spiritual, psycho social and moral needs.
Col NYAMBE assured Command that as a Directorate, they will ensure that they continue being relevant by using various platforms available to them to minister to the ZAF family.