Stafford County pastor draws on his experiences as an Army chaplain

By CATHY DYSON

The Rev. Jim Davidson wore camouflage to church a few weeks ago when Virginia National Guard members came through Fredericksburg before being deployed.

A church member asked him to remind others that the nation is still at war and that some of their neighbors are involved in the fight.

"Pastor Jim," as he's called, couldn't deny the request. He's worn his uniform to Bethel Baptist Church in White Oak several times.

Capt. Davidson was an Army chaplain in Iraq for almost a year. The chaplain trains with the 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Fredericksburg.

Whether he wears desert cammies or coat and tie, Davidson talks about the ways the war changed him.

"It forced me to grow up and to focus on what's really important," he said.

Davidson has brilliant blue eyes and a Southern drawl.

He was a youth pastor in his hometown of Charlotte, N.C., before his National Guard unit went to Iraq.

There, Davidson counseled soldiers on a base northeast of Baghdad.

He helped them deal with homesickness and financial worries, as well as the constant threat of death.

Coming back and talking to teenage girls who thought the world ended when their boyfriends didn't call just wasn't the same after that.

Davidson, 33, decided to become a head pastor. He came to the Stafford County church almost a year ago and found it a perfect fit.

"This is such a strong, patriotic community up here," he said.

Davidson also matured in another way. For eight years, he and a girl named Jennifer were best friends. Jennifer always said the two would marry, and Davidson responded, "You're crazy."

He came close to saying "I do" to another woman in 2000, then backed out eight weeks before the ceremony.

"Told you," Jennifer said.

It took 11 months in the desert for Davidson to see Jennifer as more than a friend.

The two started dating in February 2005, soon after he got back. They were married by June.

"It's kind of weird," he said. "The Lord had to send me to Iraq to open my eyes."

As an Army chaplain, Davidson learned other lessons that he uses regularly.

He speaks often about God's presence in a person's life and how something that seems horrible can have a good ending.

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How many? About 3,500 of different faiths in all branches, according to Today's Military.

Requirements: Bachelor's and master's degrees.

Training: Usually 12 weeks, including four weeks of basic training and eight weeks of chaplain school. The Rev. Jim Davidson joined in January 2003, shortly before the Iraq war. There was such a demand for chaplains that the Army put him and others through school in 31 days.

No weapons: Chaplains carry a pocket-size New Testament with a desert camouflage cover, but no gun. Each is assigned a bodyguard.

"Perform or provide": Chaplains must perform ceremonies for different faiths or provide clergy who can. For instance, a Catholic priest regularly flew from one military base to another.

Coming together: Davidson's fondest memories are of soldiers of all backgrounds coming together to worship. The men constructed a wooden chapel on the base and bought plastic chairs and drums from the locals. Soldiers brought guitars for a weekly jam session, and several black soldiers formed a gospel choir. "It was a lot of fun," he said. No preaching to Iraqis: Chaplains are not allowed to share the Gospel with locals in a war zone. "This wasn't a gigantic mission trip," he said.

Date published: 2/11/2007

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