A chaplain’s tools of the trade – lollies and prayer





By Cpl Damian Shovell

FEW padres’ can attest to having one of the world’s most dangerous parishes – but for Chap Ivan Grant, the only ARA Chaplain in Baghdad, Iraq’s current climate provides him just that.

A Baptist from 5 Avn Regt in Townsville, Chap Grant arrived at the ANHQ in Baghdad in March and now provides chaplaincy support for the more-than 280 personnel in the region.

Chap Grant said that although attendances at Australian services could often be small, this did not accurately reflect the needs and spirituality of those posted here.

“Australian soldiers are notoriously personal about their faith, and that’s the same here,” he said.

“Often their faith is not reflected in whether they attend church, but it’s definitely reflected in their conversations when I visit them late at night on picket or when I sit down next to someone for a quiet chat.”

“I don’t think that you can come here and not come face-to-face with your mortality. We have mortars coming over the top of this place and we see and hear explosions going off all the time and I think this stretches people when it comes to their spirituality.”

He said that one of the privileges of chaplaincy was his insight into soldier’s lives when they shared experiences with him and allowed him to provide encouragement.

“There’s always a lot of focus for the chaplain on church services and that really is only 5 per cent of what I do. Ninety-five per cent of chaplaincy is what I call ‘loitering with intent’. Showing interest in people, encouraging, and being a listening ear.”
Armed with his staff and trusty lolly jar, well-stocked by donations from Australian churches, Chap Grant conducts regular visits outside of the headquarters in Baghdad to what he calls his “…lots of little flocks all over the country” including 70 personnel at the SECDET in the Australian Representative Office, and to other Australian personnel within Iraq.

“It’s amazing how walking up to someone and offering them a smile and a Mintie breaks the tension and can offer them just five seconds of sanity amongst all the insanity that is this place.”

Chap Grant conducts united services at the headquarters and also takes part in services held with other Coalition members where he will occasionally preach and lead services. During these services there’s standing room only as soldiers from up to eight countries and all Christian denominations join in what Chap Grant describes as a very intimate worship experience.

“It’s amazing, and like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Not only for me, but also for the soldiers. It gives a chance for them to express their spirituality in a place that is often very hard and very lonely.”

“The most rewarding thing about being out here is not conducting services or doing Anzac Day on operations, though,” he said.

“The highpoints, the best experiences, have been late at night sitting around having a cigarette and listening to somebody sharing, or sitting at 2am on piquet and helping people with their inner and personal struggles.

“The fact that they trust me with that is an amazing privilege and very humbling, but also fantastic to see that I can make a difference.

“The opportunities to share my faith and to share the Gospel have been amazing here, and it’s fantastic to see the difference I make when people are struggling with their work load or struggling with missing their families. Even when I talk to soldiers who aren’t very ‘churchy’ – one, when I offer to pray for them they accept, and two, I can see that it makes a difference.”
Chap Grant is also responsible for visiting the crew of HMAS Stuart, stationed in the Gulf.

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