First praise and worship event unites community, offers spiritual renewal

The Defense Logistics Agency’s long-running employee Bible study convened its first formal Praise and Worship Event on Aug. 4 inside the McNamara Headquarters Complex, an initiative organizers hope will become a recurring tradition.

Hosted by the study group in the Kabeisman Conference Room, the lunchtime gathering drew participants from across the agency to worship and connect with colleagues in a shared faith setting.

“The DLA mission is demanding, and we all pour so much of ourselves into our work. I felt a strong calling to create a dedicated space where believers within the McNamara building could come together, pause from the mission’s high tempo and encourage one another,” said Felicia Johnson, event coordinator and inventory management specialist at DLA Energy. “My goal was to stop waiting for that space to appear and start building it, trusting that if I felt the need, others did too.”

Johnson, a founding member of the Bible study that began in 2018, said the group has provided support, mentorship and friendship over the years. “It has personally given me a stronger sense of belonging and purpose within my career,” Johnson said. “Knowing I have a community that understands the unique challenges of our work and supports me through a shared faith has made me a more grounded person and, I believe, a more resilient and dedicated employee.”

The event was held with approval from the DLA Office of the Chaplain, which offers religious support, pastoral care and spiritual-readiness services for the agency’s global workforce of civilians, service members and their families. The office also advises senior leaders on issues related to religion, ethics and morale.

Employees are eligible for religious compensatory time when religious meetings extend beyond lunch. For the Aug. 4 event, time beyond the standard 30-minute lunch period required supervisory approval. The weekly Bible study meets Thursdays at noon and is open to all employees.

“I want people to know one simple thing: you are welcome here. This is an open invitation to everyone, regardless of your background or where you are in your personal faith journey,” Johnson said. “It is a ‘come as you are’ environment built on encouragement, not expectation. Whether you can join for five minutes or the full hour, for a single event or every week, this is your time to recharge, connect with colleagues and find a moment of peace in a busy day.”

For more information on religious support, employees can contact the DLA Chaplain at [email protected].