Ministering to the Military

Written by John S. Powers

As a boy growing up on the rich farming soil found in the hills of East Tennessee, I was intrigued by thoughts of being in the military. Several of my relatives served with great pride in various branches of service. My father served in World War II in Europe. Over the years, I have listened intently as my dad weaves his military experience through various stories.

When my father was drafted in the early 1940s he was forced to leave a good paying job to fulfill his military duty. For someone who had grown up during the Depression, and had often been unable to purchase what he needed even when he had money, leaving a job was just the first of the memories created by his years in the military. Stories about his bouts of loneliness, fears, anxieties, and antics were so vivid that one could brush them away like a butterfly.

Upon reflection, it is not surprising that something of my father's military mindset heavily influenced each member of my family, too. I couldn't get enough of it. As a child, I played "army" with my friends. Included in our strategy was opposing an imaginary enemy by digging fox holes in the fields and waiting for the next in a series of endless childhood battles.

Now years later, I have found myself transitioning from imaginary enemies of a childhood battlefield to another kind of military soil – a spiritual field that is ripe beyond my wildest dreams. As the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia, the Lord has opened wide the door for various ministry opportunities aimed toward military personnel and their families.

Three Virginia cities at the south end of Chesapeake Bay host military bases. All branches of the military, including the Army, the Air Force, the Marines, the Coast Guard, and the Navy are represented in Hampton Roads. Norfolk is home to the largest naval station on the planet. Virginia Beach is home to the largest naval air station. That represents more than 100,000 people, many of whom like the children of Nineveh, "do not know the difference between their right and left hand." In other words, they are teachable, reachable, pliable, and most importantly are searching for answers to life's biggest questions.

Historically, our church has welcomed members of the armed forces with open arms. That tradition continues today with a focused, well-defined strategy for ministering to military personnel and their families. Here are three elements of our strategy

First: Integration

Our church has a "People First" mentality toward military families. Integration occurs with few exceptions. For example, instead of singling them out, military personnel are welcomed into our Bible Study ministry like any other person. We do not delineate rank. Admiral Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations and his wife, Connie, regularly attend our church. It is so good seeing them worship beside enlisted men and women, who many times do not even recognize them! We are also very careful to recognize and honor members of all branches of service, especially during the Sunday following the Army/Navy football game.

Second: Involvement

We have found that military personnel are among the easiest to enlist and involve in doing the work of ministry. These people come for various backgrounds and many are strong in their faith. This translates into people who are trained, motivated, and ready to jump into service for Jesus. Many times it only takes an invitation for them to be involved in our church. They welcome that opportunity.

Third: Inspiration

Our church benefits from the rigorous training and experience military personnel and their families have known but we are also quick to minister to them. One such ministry is "Military Wives Encouragement Group." Starting about three years ago, this group has grown to more than thirty participants. Our goal is threefold:

1. Provide a place of fellowship.
2. Provide some desired information such as: crisis management, caring for children, marriage enrichment, and moving assistance.
3. Provide a brief study of God's Word and offer prayer support for each member.

We also take every opportunity to invite guests to be enrolled in our Bible Study ministry.

Taking the opportunity to caring for precious personnel and families of the military is continuing to be a blessing for our church. Ask the Lord to give you a vision for members of the military. This field is ripe indeed.

Dr. John S. Powers is the author of Redefining Church Membership and The BodyLife Journey: Guiding Believers into Ministry. A pastor for 22 years, Dr. Powers received his master's of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

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