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Team Kadena hosts National Prayer Luncheon

U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Col.) Dondi Costin, Pacific Air Forces command chaplain, talks about "Thank Outside the Box" during a National Prayer Luncheon at the Rocker NCO Club on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 25, 2015. The luncheon also included special music by the Kadena Catholic Choir, sacred readers, and Costin as the guest speaker. (U.S. Air Force photo by Naoto Anazawa)

Team Kadena hosts National Prayer Luncheon

Nearly 300 people attended the National Prayer Luncheon at the Rocker NCO Club on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 25, 2015. U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Col.) Dondi Costin, Pacific Air Forces command chaplain was the key guest speaker for the luncheon and spoke to attendees about the importance of hope, prayer and unity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Naoto Anazawa)

Team Kadena hosts National Prayer Luncheon

U.S. Air Force Capt. Craig Nakagawa, 18th Wing Chaplain Corps chaplain, blesses the beginning of Kadena's National Prayer Luncheon at the Rocker NCO Club on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 25, 2015. The National Prayer Luncheon dates back to the 1930s when civic and business leaders came together to share a meal, study the Bible and develop relationships of trust and support. (U.S. Air Force photo by Naoto Anazawa)

Team Kadena hosts National Prayer Luncheon

Published March 3, 2015
By Naoto Anazawa
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Nearly 300 people attended the 2015 National Prayer Luncheon hosted by Team Kadena at the Rocker NCO Club here Feb. 25.

National Prayer breakfasts and luncheons are traditionally hosted throughout the United States and overseas on U.S. military installations during the month of February.

"The purpose of the National Prayer luncheon is it gives American citizens the opportunity to exercise the first amendment right to religion and worship." said Capt. Emmanuel Okwaraocha, 18th Wing Chaplain Corps chaplain.

The event kicked off with the U.S. and Japanese National Anthems sang by the Kadena Harmony Group.

After, lunch was served and scripture was read, the guest speaker of the event, Chaplain (Col.) Dondi Costin, Pacific Air Forces command chaplain, spoke about "Thank Outside the Box".

Chaplain Costin is a pastor and a renowned public speaker.

"I was very happy that we had nearly 300 military and civilian personnel in attendance including people of different language and faith background," said Okwaraocha.

In February 1953, members of the U.S. Senate and House, prayer groups and President Dwight Eisenhower established the first Presidential Prayer Breakfast to seek divine guidance for national leadership and to reaffirm faith and dependence in God. It has become an annual event in the United States.

In 1970 the name was changed to "The National Prayer Breakfast" to more accurately reflect the purpose of the gathering rather than emphasizing the individuals involved.

Every year since, the annual breakfast has drawn together leaders of all the branches of the national government, including leaders of all the U.S. Armed Forces, with the common goal of seeking God's leadership in the affairs of our nation.