WEIRTON, Ohio--Pastor Rudy McAllister returned from service in Iraq with the U.S. military to continue serving at his church.

The minister left for the middle east in December and was away for Christmas. But he told WTOV9 of Steubenville, Ohio that being away made him realize what's important.

"Just appreciate what I left behind. That's one thing I do when I'm over there. I appreciate what we have in the United States, and I'm so thankful that I live here," McAllister said.

McAllister came home in March, to his church, and his wife, Rosie.

"It's nice to have him back. The church really missed him. I really missed him, and our family really did. Now that he's back, we don't want him to leave again, but of course we know he has to go for a good reason," Rosie said.

That reason is the war effort, but also the ministry, which continued for McAllister even while in Iraq. The minister said he was able to spread God's Word in places that he never dreamed he would.

"Even those that didn't believe in God at one time in their life, they learn to know who God is and they pray. Over there it's a big family, and we rely on each other and draw stretch from God," McAllister said.

McAllister will return to Iraq this fall. He expects to rejoin the 911th Airlift Wing in Kuwait in about 6 months.

"We love him very much, and we're glad to have him back. We can't wait until the war is over, so that we'll know he's home to stay," Rosie said.

Rudy said he believes firmly in what U.S. troops are doing in Iraq, and he said he proudly serves the U.S.