Training Military Missionaries

By Terry Austin

Just last week, during our monthly military ministry roundtable discussion meeting, one member described what churches around military posts have been doing for years. Our churches minister to military communities by taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to them through worship services, community activities, and outreach opportunities. We build relationships and become part of each other’s lives.

After a few short years, we have to say goodbye to them because the military sends them to the ends of the earth. It’s called a PCS (permanent change of station) move, and it is part of military culture. PCS moves happen frequently, and normally, the military member has no choice but to leave the current assignment and follow orders to a new location. In many ways, this seems unfortunate, but in many other ways it is an opportunity to be part of God’s bigger plan—His orders—to send missionaries to parts of the world needing to hear the gospel of Christ.

Discipleship is challenging for churches ministering to military families. Discipleship is also challenging for military members wanting to grow in their faith in the military environment. Their time in your community is limited, yet it still takes time to develop relationships. Although challenging, it is critical for these disciples to grow in their faith, developing a love for Christ and the work of Christ.

From a different vantage point, however, you can see another wave of military families and single military members on the way to your community. This is a never-ending cycle and keeps our pastors and churches busy reaching out, making new friends, and helping military men and women grow in their faith.

I have been to churches that welcome and love the military, and I have been to churches that don’t appreciate the military and its unique culture. I hope all Free Will Baptist churches will embrace the military ministry and reach out to those who serve—both military members and those pastors who are military chaplains. (Free Will Baptists even have a church planter in the military who is currently deployed.) Take this great opportunity to serve Christ by supporting those serving and witnessing to our military.

The military community is a vital part of your own community. Seize the opportunity to introduce them to Christ, love them for a while, and then send them out as ambassadors for Christ and friends with whom we can stay in touch for decades to come. Discipleship may not always be possible face-to-face in the military setting, but many options are available to help you stay in touch and build stronger and lasting relationships.

Make your military friends missionaries by sending them to their next duty station supported by your love and encouragement. Stay in touch with them, because they may return to you when another PCS brings them back to your community.

About the Writer: Former chaplain Terry Austin is chaplain support officer for North American Ministries. Learn more at fwbnam.com/chaplaincy.