VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –
The Rev. Steven Roby, pastor at Waters Edge Church in Virginia Beach, presented Patriot Award plaques to elders of his church during Sunday service, Jan. 17. Roby, a U.S. Army Reserve major and chaplain, has served double duty as the Waters Edge Pastor and JTF-CS Command Chaplain since February 2020 when JTF-CS first responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York and New Jersey. He said he could not have done it without the support of his church elders, especially during the time when he deployed to Texas to lead a religious support team.
“It’s a true testament to the ministry of the church when the lead pastor can walk out the door for a couple months and not have any worries,” he said. “It’s really incredible and unheard of in many settings. I’m really grateful for all these guys do.”
Maj. Gen. Jeff Van, JTF-CS commanding general, also offered his appreciation virtually as part of the presentation.
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's Patriot Award recognizes individual supervisors who make a special effort to support citizen warriors and their families.