National Civil War Chaplains Museum

At six years old, Donnette Boyd moved from poverty in Jamaica to drug- and gang-infested Cleveland, Ohio. She later became a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of Colonel.

Chaplain Boyd didn’t grow up in church, but she believed in the protection of prayer as she faced the violence of her neighborhood. Every day, she went to school with a backpack and a knife—her deterrence weapon. Seeking to leave this environment, Boyd worked hard to study at Kent State University, where she joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Upon graduating, she was commissioned as a line officer in the Air Force in 1987.

Boyd began her faith journey by reading the Bible, setting aside her inclination for skepticism. She began going to church and at 26 years old made the decision to give her life to Christ. From then on, Boyd was on mission to serve others, using her background as opportunities for outreach and ministry.

Two and a half years later, while stationed in Germany, Boyd felt called to ministry. She resigned her commission to attend seminary and returned to the Air Force four years later as a chaplain.

Chaplain Boyd has served around the world, including war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Commenting on her deployment, she said, “I had to preach in body armor while everyone was told to stay low, but instead of staying low, I chose to stand and preach because I said to myself, `If something struck me right now, I know I was doing what I was called to do.’”

Chaplain Boyd’s story is one of resilience, hard work, and devotion. Visit the museum to learn more about chaplains like her!

Image: Chaplain Donnette Boyd. Courtesy of Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.



Help the Chaplains Museum expand our collection and add new exhibits! Look for the "Donate" section at the link in our bio. 

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