Marking 25 years of chaplaincy at East Midlands Airport 

A large crowd gathered in the check-in hall to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the East Midlands Airport Chaplaincy

The service was led by Roy Monks, the senior chaplain and Baptist minister, at EMA (pictured), and was supported by chaplains past and present along with the managing director Mr Steve Griffiths and many airport staff and others

The Lord Lieutenant of Leicester Mr Michael Kapur OBE made a special presentation pin to all the chaplains who had served at the airport in the last 25 years. Music was provided by the gospel choir of De-Montfort University, which was voted choir of the year in 2023, who appeared on Britain's Got Talent and had been invited to Downing Street to sing for the Prime Minister.

A special book - Flight of Faith, written by Roy and Canon Anthony Dolan, both founder members of the original team - charted the history of the chaplaincy and its many achievements since it began in 1999. This includes supporting various charities, ministry to staff and passengers, the opening of prayer rooms and the sending of some 400 tonnes of aid to needy situations around the world.

Roy and Steve cut the cake that had been made for this special occasion and afterwards people were invited to look round a special display of the work of the chaplains in their Prayer Room. 

Roy has served at the airport for the full 25 years. He was also the National Co-ordinator of British Airport Chaplaincy for eight years, serving chaplains across the UK and Ireland and helping to establish chaplaincy in other airports.

He said, 'This was truly a momentous occasion  in celebrating 25 years of successful ministry in the airport.

'We were delighted with the huge turn out and the wonderful support we received by the Lord Lieutenant, the choir and the airport and its staff.

'A highlight of the occasion was recent news that the airport is now in the process of constructing another Prayer Room airside, in addition to the one we have landside, which will be a welcome addition to customers and staff.

'We are looking forward to that and all that the next 25 years bring.'