Honoring the Virginia National Guard

1710 Transportation Company hostess, Sergeant First Class Clara Vargas teams with Military Ministry staff for the 14 December 2008 Christmas Celebration for VA National Guard families awaiting the return of their loved ones from deployment to Iraq (76 days to go)

(left to right) Retired Army Chaplain David Bates, Lynn Kirsch, Mitchell Ethan Bogle, SFC Clara Vargas, Retired USAF Brenda Anthony

About 70 men, women and children of the Virginia National Guard attended a special luncheon given in honor of their troops currently serving in Iraq.  SFC Clara Vargas, a new friend of the ministry who first learned of Military Ministry’s programs and resources at a Military Marriage Seminar earlier this year, invited this team to join them to encourage their troops and families through resources and spiritual support like she had received last summer.  SFC Vargas set up an station inside the National Guard Armory, where the luncheon took place, and the team met and get to know about 50 soldiers and family members who attended, and sent them off with a Military Ministry bag of life-changing resources to take home from the event.  Resources included a Rapid Deployment Kit (RDK), Psalm 91, Standard Bearer newsletter, information flyers about new Combat Trauma resource, and a pen.  Here are a few of the new friends of Military Ministry from the Virginia National Guard:

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Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Michelle Rose is very passionate about caring for the spiritual care and healing of the Guard men and women of the 1710^th Transportation Company, one of the four sub-units of the 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battallion (CSSB) assigned to her command.

LtCol Michelle Rose presented her Commander’s Coin to the planning committee of the 1710th Trans. Co. Christmas celebration, 14 Dec 08.

Staff Sergeant Louis Manley signs the Military Ministry comment card committing to pray for military marriages and families.

For 27 years, Staff Sergeant (SSG) Louis Manley has been telling soldiers how Jesus Christ is their weapon against struggles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Meet SSG Louis Manley, an Army Reserve, now Guard, soldier who has been serving God in the military for the past 27 years, fighting every war since 1981. Although SSG Manley witnessed devastating wartime incidences that killed his colleagues and brought emotional chaos – experiences that often lead men to suffer long-term effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – he gives God the glory for his ability to claim victory over these challenges through his own life, witnessing to soldiers and winning many men and women to the Lord by his Christian testimony over the years. He misses his wife who passed away in 2001 after they were married for 12 years. Louis’s twin daughters live near him in Emporia, VA. He says “God is good all the time” and he signed up with Military Ministry to commit to praying for the spiritual needs of military couples and for churches helping PTSD and becoming part of the Bridges to Healing Ministry.

SSG Manley shares his PTSD experiences with Military Ministry Communications Director Brenda Anthony

Private First Class (PFC) Jasmine Martin is a new friend of Military Ministry who just learned about the ministry’s spiritual support and resources to help her and her newborn daughter. PFC Martin accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior 8 years ago. She is a bright and beautiful new mother who has a strong spiritual support system through her church, Calvary Revival Church. Among the 7,000 church members who gather for Wednesday night Bible studies, Jasmine depends most on the 10 fellow-believers in her small Bible study group who help her to grow spiritually, to stay encouraged, and to reach her personal goals as she walks with the Lord as a mother and Army soldier.  Today Jasmine learned about the Spiritual Resources and support programs Military Ministry can offer her as well.

PFC Martin is 19 year old and her daughter is 7 weeks

As a high school student, Jasmine got caught up with things that distracted her from making good grades to qualify for scholarships she needed to attend college. But now, thankful to God for providing great opportunity through the Army National Guard, she is able to attend college and pursue her passion of becoming a Cell Biologist to find a cure for cancer. Her grandmother and aunt died from breast cancer at the age of 56 and 23 respectively. PFC Martin is 19 years old and her daughter is 7 weeks.

Updates

• American Legion Sponsors “Bibles for Troops” Mar 04 2010
  

  The North Carolina American Legion Auxiliary is making a difference in the lives of our military. Thanks to their generous donation of $21,000 to Military Ministry, more than 6,000 Bibles will be placed in the hands of deploying troops. “Our Soldiers greatly appreciate the resources… It is through your support and other likeminded ministries that we… More >

• Recovery From the Fight Feb 22 2010
  

  Did you know that the national epidemic of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is affecting 20% or more of returning warriors and their families, according to the Department of Defense.  Other statistics are equally alarming: For troops suffering from combat trauma, two out of three of their marriages are failing. From January-June 2009, more Army soldiers committed suicide… More >

• The Word at War Feb 04 2010
  

  Did you know that Military Ministry receives requests for an average of 15,000 Rapid Deployment Kits (RDKs) each month? The demand has remained strong from all branches of the military. Sir, I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the support received from your organization. We are deployed to a remote location where supplies are non-existent. I… More >

• Staying Connected During Deployment Jan 06 2010
  

  Maintaining a healthy marriage during deployments is a challenge that many couples face. With 30,000 troops set to deploy in 2010, many military couples will once again have to learn to cope with an extended separation from their spouse. Communication – whether by email, phone, letter or journaling – is important as they encourage one… More >

• New Year. New Hope. Jan 06 2010
  

  2010. A year of new opportunities, new challenges and renewed hope in Jesus Christ. Caring for the spiritual well-being of our troops and their families has never been more important. Everyone can make a difference in the lives of those who risk their lives for your freedom by simply bringing what they have – labor, influence,… More >

• 30,000 Troops to Deploy Dec 08 2009
  

  President Obama announced last week that he will deploy an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan in the first part of 2010. With this new strategy in place, the brave men and women of our Armed Forces are preparing once again to say goodbye to family and friends as they head into the combat zone. Military… More >

• Happy Birthday Navy! Oct 13 2009
  

      Today the United States Navy celebrates its 234th birthday with approximately 285 ships and 646,000 active, reserve and civilian members. Military Ministry honors and praises all Sailors past and present for their service to our country. On Oct. 13, 1775, the Navy was officially established by the Continental Congress who approved a resolution commissioning two ships… More >

• Army Chaplains to Observe Day of Prayer and Fasting Mar 23 2009
  

  Army Chief of Chaplains Declares April 8 As Day of Prayer and Fasting More >

• What If I’m Already Saved? Nov 24 2008
  

  “I estimate there were 150 Marine recruits in the room.  When about 60 went forward to kneel at the front of the room to accept Christ, one recruit asked if he could come forward even though he was already saved. He got a “yes” and was soon followed by another 30 believers!  I was told… More >

• Thanks for the RDK Aug 28 2008
  

  The following note arrived on Christmas day sent by a deployed airman: “I am an Air Force officer currently deployed to the desert. I received the Rapid Deployment Kit a few months back and I want to extend my thanks. I carry my New Testament Bible in my flight suit when I fly. I… More >

More Updates >