When I began chaplain ministry at Q-West, Iraq, the ministry's foundation was built on two elements—elevate Christ and incorporate diversity in worship. We did this in every possible way, even via Power Point; it was this key principle that drew soldiers by the hundreds to our ministry.

We began with just seven to 12 soldiers in a small conference room. I was the only musician and played a total of four contemporary worship songs on my guitar. We grew, and moved twice before we ended up in the only building on the base to hold the attendance that grew to more than 200 weekly! We were no longer just the 1,225th chapel service, we became the base chapel service, with a full band and three musical groups. Isn’t God good?

These strategies were adopted, with the Lord's leading, to maximize the effectiveness of our ministry:

Love All the Soldiers—How else would they know I was a Christian? I made a conscious effort to make each feel they were more important than me. In this environment where rank matters, I brought them into a world that said we can even love our enemies.

Develop a Winning Team—The Lord led me to some beautifully talented and willing volunteers. We jelled instantly and became a family. That family grew to adopt the motto, “Lift Him Up,” and we marched to victory from there.

Be Authentic—Soldiers can tell if you are a phony. I preached honest messages, opened up to them about my victories and failures, and led them to the Lord who covers them all.

Be Where They Are—That’s how I made a connection with soldiers who would have never stepped foot in my chapel service. I gained their respect and admiration for it because when they slept under the stars, I was there, too. I was with them through thick or thin.

Practice What You Preach—I learned that “No deviation from strict integrity can meet God's approval.” I made sure my lifestyle was in line with the teachings. There were some difficult days, but I dared to be a Daniel because I knew they were watching.

Just this past weekend the Lord blessed us with 18 precious souls at our big Bible baptism. These young Bible students all received copies of the book, Bible Answers. By God's grace, we have baptized 25 soldiers on Islamic ancient soil.

In retrospect, I don’t think there is an effective tool to measure what we have accomplished here. If I could measure it by each smiling face, every tear that fell, every thank you I heard, every embrace I shared, every hand that clapped, every voice that praised, or every eye that turned on Jesus then I would say measure long because it is well with my soul.

"Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring and they will hear my voice” (John 10:16).

Philip Willis Jr. has been a Seventh-day Adventist minister for ten years and is pastor of the Jackson Summit and Lansing Bethel churches in Michigan.