The 2010 U.S. Africa Command Chaplain Conference kicked off September 10 in the Bavarian village of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

The five-day conference brought together 35 chaplains and chaplains assistants from around the world, including several African countries, to discuss common strategic objectives, interests, and to plan chaplain theater security cooperation activities.

The annual conference provides an opportunity to assemble religious support teams from component and joint task force organizations to build strong working relationships and work through issues that might impede the mission.

This year, U.S. Africa Command expanded the conference to include key chiefs of chaplains from several African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.

The conference focuses on building and strengthening relationships and furthering collaboration and greater dialogue with African religious military partners.
Throughout the week, participants will discuss ways to cooperate and establish training opportunities and talk about the powerful role a chaplain plays in reconciliation and healing. They also will share ideas and lessons learned about developing military chaplain programs to meet the needs of military personnel and their families.

Participating are representatives from many Christian denominations as well as Islam and traditional African religions.

According to Captain Chief Stephen Pike, U.S. Naval Forces Africa command chaplain, this year's theme is "listening, sharing and learning from each other in order to be changed by one another and experience the mystery of God’s presence and how He moves throughout our lives to transform us."

Each morning session begins with a fellowship breakfast, followed by a prayer delivered by one of the chaplains.