Life and Religion

PHOTO/PAUL WILLIAMS III

Deborah Bishop is a chaplain at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Three years ago Deborah Bishop left for Charlotte from Columbus, Ohio with no job and no place to stay.

She and her ex-husband were married for 30 years, but after the divorce she needed a change of pace.

“I wanted a new life, the divorce was so ugly,” Bishop said. “So I packed up and came here. It was an excellent move.”

Before even securing employment or housing in Charlotte, Bishop found a church home at University City Church. It was the first and only church she visited.

“It was almost like being in a nice Christian chair,” she said. “I never checked out another church.”

Bishop then found a job with the Transportation Security Administration at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. While working with TSA, she befriended one of the chaplain’s at the Charlotte airport.

“I’ve talked to her and had prayer with her,” Bishop said. “She knew my spirit because of the different situations we’ve had at the airport.”

An ordained minister for 15 years, Bishop also wanted to join the airport’s chaplain staff.

This winter, her desire came true.

She was appointed as a Charlotte-Douglas chaplain in January.

“The thing that really surprises me the most is when I’m around co-workers who used to have a nasty mouth, and now that they know I’m a chaplain they have to watch what they say,” Bishop said. “They’ve been repenting to me.”

The airport chapel (meditation room) is located outside B-Security Checkpoint.

Bishop says there are approximately 10 chaplains who take turns making sure someone is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

She works 2-8 p.m. Sundays and from 1-6 p.m. Mondays. There is no salary; it is all volunteer work. Bishop loves it.

“This is something I enjoy doing,” she said. “It’s all been so overwhelming for me. It’s something I enjoy doing.”

For more information about the airport’s interfaith chapel, call (704) 359-4040.

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