An Oasis in the Mississippi Gulf Coast

In June, I was serving as chaplain for the 2026 Louisiana Wing Summer Encampment for the Civil Air Patrol at Keesler Air Force Base in nearby Biloxi, Mississippi. I was away for ten days. I was responsible for arranging religious services for our encampment - especially for our cadets who were there for training. I had the joy to meet the base chaplains Captain Yates (Greek Orthodox) and Lieutenant Walker (Seventh Day Adventist). To accommodate the majority of the faith groups of our encampment personnel, and to fit our tight training schedule, we sent them to either the Protestant base service on Sunday, or to the Roman Catholic Mass held off base at the nearby cathedral. Those who opted out of services received instruction by me based on our core values of Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect.

So attending a Sunday service for me was a no go.

Every day, I was busy ministering to the needs to our cadets (and others) on base. I really do love chaplaincy work. But alas, there were no other LCMS Lutherans to be found. So I had no opportunity to offer, and thus receive, the Holy Sacrament.

Normally, I celebrate Mass every Sunday and Wednesday. Since my duties at encampment began Thursday morning, I did receive the Holy Eucharist the night before. But I was looking at a long spell without receiving the body and the blood. And I am spoiled in that I almost never go more than four days without Communion. Our days began early and ended late - making it hard to even privately pray Matins.

Fortunately, there is an LCMS parish near the base - the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Our encampment commander graciously granted me permission to leave the base on Wednesday in order to meet the Rev. Raymond Cox to receive the Sacrament of the Altar. It actually took me longer to get from my billet to the main gate of the base then it took to get from the base to the church. It is literally just up the road.

I had the joy to meet Pastor Cox, his wife Janelle, and their little one in the sanctuary. Pastor Cox conducted the liturgy with great reverence. It was a real blessing for them to carve out time for me to come and enjoy fellowship with them, and to partake of the Sacrament of the Altar together.

Being located in the Bible Belt of the Deep South, confessional Lutheranism in the Southern District has its challenges. But in my 22 years in the district, I’m pleased to report that we now have a good many solid, confessional, and liturgical parishes led by faithful pastors - and the numbers only continue to grow.

If you or someone you know is in Biloxi, there is a faithful parish and pastor just outside the base at Keesler. It can be a challenge for our deployed military personnel to find either an LCMS chaplain or a faithful congregation close by for spiritual care. I’m happy to report that LCMS Lutherans serving at Keesler are blessed to have Good Shepherd and Pastor Cox just a stone’s throw away.

Thank you, Pastor Cox, for your faithful service, and for providing much-needed and appreciated Seelsorge to me!