Ron Crews,
Executive Director, GCI

Our nation has been at war since September 11, 2001.  We still refer to that traumatic time in our history as 911.  In many ways that day was a wake-up call for people of faith.  It is one of those days you remember where you were and what you were doing.

I was serving as President of Massachusetts Family Institute (MFI), a ministry in association with Focus on the Family, and as the senior chaplain for the 26^th Infantry Brigade for the MA Army National Guard.  That morning I hosted a meeting of leaders in the “pro-family” movement for all New England states.  I remember vividly arriving at a beautiful home near the New England coast to be with our MFI board chairman who was serving as our host for the day. 

He met me at the door and asked if I had heard the news.  I had been listening to praise music and enjoying a time of worship during my drive, so I had no idea what he was talking about.  He led me to his study in time to see a replay of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center.  In amazement we watched the second plane hit.  I literally had to sit down, and we began to pray for those trapped in those buildings.  We saw the first building collapse, and then the second.  Then we saw the Pentagon in flames and reports of other aircraft missing or not responding to Air Traffic Controllers. I left the others, who continued to pray, and called my Brigade Commander.  He told me to get to headquarters as soon as possible.  I went home, packed some clothes and uniforms, and said good-bye to my wife not knowing what the coming days would bring.

As it turned out, I made it home late that night as we waited to see what the President would do.  Eventually, we did mobilize soldiers.  I found myself doing “Pre-deployment” briefings and “Coping with Separation” briefings.  I made regular trips to visit National Guard soldiers mobilized along the Eastern coast serving on security missions at sensitive areas.

In June of 2005, I was recalled to active duty and sent to Fort Campbell, KY, to assist with ministry for the 101^st Airborne Division as they made multiple deployments.  My job was to coordinate ministry on post to make sure all chapels and chapel ministries remained open and functional as division chaplains and chaplain assistants deployed.

It was a challenging and most rewarding ministry.  I made more notifications of the loss of a soldier than I want to remember.  I helped spouses deal with severe family problems while their husbands were away at war.  I saw courageous families face separation and remain true to God and to each other.  The Protestant Women of the Chapel ministry thrived, as ladies stood strong for Jesus during difficult times.

The deployments continue.  Some deployments now last as long as 15 months.  This means many military families return to local communities and, in some cases, to local churches. 

This provides prime ministry opportunities for many congregations.  What can you do to reach out to military families in your area?  First and foremost –PRAY!  I know this is what we usually say about everything, but this is critical.  Some congregations are joining an international effort to build a Wall of Prayer for deployed service men and women.  You can find more information about this effort and become part of the Wall of Prayer at http://www.accts.org/.

We held a Concert of Prayer for our deployed soldiers at Fort Campbell.  I asked our deployed chaplains to send prayer requests.  Here are a few of the responses:

• Please pray for our peacemakers' protection.

• Pray that the enemy might be confounded and confused - that the enemy's leadership will be destroyed.

• Pray that the lies of the enemy will be exposed - particularly the lie of heavenly reward for suicide bombing missions.

• Pray for that our relationship with Pakistan might result in the enemy's sanctuary being eliminated.

• Pray for our General Officer's leadership in decision making that they will see the way ahead - defeat of the enemy and development of the Afghan and Iraqi governments.

• Pray that violence against Afghan women will stop and that women and girls will be valued as human beings.

• Pray that the cycle of corruption will be broken and that the people will choose not to grow drugs, but rather invest in the future well being of their land through education and legitimate forms of commerce.

• Pray for unity among Coalition Forces and the local military forces.

• Pray for political and popular support around the world for the cause of peace, freedom, and democracy.

• Pray for comfort of those who grieve the loss of loved ones.

• Pray for our deployed soldiers who are experience marriage problems.

• Pray for a safe return home for us all.

Second, reach out to deployed spouses and servicemen in your area.   You can find out about soldiers in your area who may be deployed by contacting your local military recruiters and by visiting your closest National Guard Armory or Reserve Training Center.  All deployed units have organizations for spouses.  In the Army we call these Family Readiness Groups (FRGs).  These organizations meet regularly while their soldiers are deployed to hear the latest news from downrange and to support each other.  Here are some suggestions to how you can minister:

• Your church could volunteer to provide a meal for a FRG meeting or provide funds for a picnic or outing to an amusement park.

• Find out if any spouses of deployed soldiers are pregnant and offer services to them like a baby shower or help with meals when the baby comes.

• If you read of the death of a soldier in your community, pray for that family.  Ask God to open doors to minister in appropriate ways when the family is ready to receive ministry.

• Join with other churches in your community and plan a welcome home ceremony for soldiers in your area when they return from duty.

• Offer to do a marriage retreat for deployed soldiers and their spouses, helping them to reconnect after an extended separation. 

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”  (Matthew 5:9)  Our soldiers serve so we can live at peace.  May God grant us grace and wisdom to serve those who serve us so honorably and courageously.  May God send revival to our nation and let it begin in our Armed Forces!