Soul Food

Volunteering. It’s good for the soul. Some people volunteer to fulfill an obligation, while others volunteer because they simply enjoy giving back. Petty Officer 1st Class John Monteleone, an aviation electronics technician at Air Station Houston, is a Coast Guardsman who is an avid volunteer through Dominion Church. Dominion Church is a non-denominational church located in League City, Texas, that encourages volunteerism as a foundation for a better life.

Monteleone, who is married and has five children, finds time in between regular work days, duty days, and family life to volunteer through Dominion Church. One such project that remains close to his heart is Church in the Park. This program is designed to minister to Houston’s homeless population and provide a hot meal to those in attendance.

On Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, I met Monteleone and other volunteers from Dominion Church in a park in downtown Houston. Volunteers arrived armed with a sermon, a grill, hot dogs, and all the necessary fixings to feed the mind, body and soul.

That particular sunny breezy morning, men of all ages, and from all ethnic backgrounds gathered in the park for the ministry. It’s almost hard to avert your eyes from the crowd. There were white, black, Hispanic and Asian men. There were men in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Some arrived by bicycle while others walked in from various parts of the city. Some of these men took a seat in the chairs provided, while others skated the outskirts of the makeshift outdoor church, protective of their few possessions they cart with them on a daily basis.

“Poverty and hard times don’t discriminate,” said Monteleone.

On any given Saturday, there is a mixture of men and women but on this particular Saturday morning it was an all-male crowd. Monteleone said that there are some faces he recognizes on a regular basis and others who are new to the scene.

The volunteers will arrive and set up the grill and all the provisions used to feed those in attendance. What follows is a music repertoire and a sermon. The morning concludes with a lunch cooked by the volunteer church members. Members will also offer a brief interlude for one-on-one time for attendees wanting extra spiritual guidance.

What is the hope for these souls that gather on Saturday mornings? That eventually the spiritual guidance offered will be enough motivation for those in attendance to make the positive changes necessary toward a better life. What is Monteleone’s goal in life? To serve.

“Whether I am volunteering through the church or on duty with the Coast Guard, the bigger part is to serve. There is always something bigger going on than yourself,” said Monteleone.

“Monty,” as he is affectionately known on the hangar deck of Air Station Houston, has served his country in the Coast Guard for over 17 years. He will celebrate his 18th year of service on Sept. 18, 2010. Throughout those 18 years, Monteleone has moved several times. One of the biggest challenges a Coast Guardsman faces in his career is finding a niche within the community he resides.

“Being in the military it can be hard to find a common ground when you move as often as we do. Being involved with a church has helped me to find my place,” said Monteloene.

Monteleone not only volunteers with Church in the Park but he also teaches religious education classes to 3rd through 5th grade students at Dominion Church. The two-part class is held on Wednesday evenings: the first half is dedicated to Bible study and the second half focuses on practical application.

“The second half of the class is the hands-on practical part. That’s where the kids have the most fun. We focus on first aid, marksmanship, cooking, and we have even done a Pinewood Derby race,” said Monteleone.

Aside from teaching, Monteleone has also volunteered his time during Vacation Bible School and in the church’s nursery.

Those who join the Coast Guard have made a choice to dedicate their lives, or a portion of their lives, to serve their country in some capacity. In the instance of Monteleone, serving God and country are synonymous.

Rewinding back to Saturday’s Church in the Park, somewhere between the opening hymn and the closing prayer, a phrase was uttered that has echoed in my mind ever since. “Anything less than everything is not enough.” Words to chew on. Perhaps, even words to live by.

Story and photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Renee C. Aiello

Explore posts in the same categories: Air Station Houston

Tags: AET 1 Monteleone, Air Station Houston, Church in the Park, Dominion Church, PA2 Aiello, volunteer

You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.