Many American churches think of the military churches overseas as just another American church. However, the military independent Baptist church overseas is very different from the average independent Baptist church in the United States; therefore, requiring a different program and challenge. Some of the difference comes from the short time we have the members. The average time is approximately twenty two months in which we have them in our churches. Many of them don’t trust the Lord until they have less than one year left in the area. Generally, the average tour of duty overseas is between two or three years.

Pastors just dread summer months because 25 to 30 percent of their members will rotate back to the US. Most of their members are saved while stationed overseas. Our training programs are on-going due to the need for trained workers. Very often they rotate back to the US or to another base overseas shortly after completing their church training.

Our greatest asset is our soul-winning program. Every military church is encouraged to set up a visitation and a new converts program. Our teacher-training program is on-going in order to have qualified Bible teachers.

There are some military churches that train their people to set up Bible classes in combat zones and authorize the teachers to baptize the new believers into their own military churches. Very often we have our teachers or choir members called out for duty or deployment only hours after notification. This required the church to have a back-up system implemented for such occasions.

The military church overseas provides a place of security for the military people without dependants and also for the families that have husbands or fathers deployed to combat areas or naval cruses. In addition the military church provides special Bible studies and get-togethers for the single military, often providing a service center for them in which to spend weekend time. We almost always provide a Sunday afternoon meal after church since most of the dinning facilities on base close before they return from the Sunday morning church service.

Most of our churches are small and located in high priced areas. We try to locate as close as possible outside the military base. When starting new churches the pastors are often called upon to provide the funds for the building and equipment. Yes, the military independent Baptist church overseas is very different from the average independent Baptist church located in the United States, but God uses that uniqueness in His own unique way to reach many for the Savior and train them for His service.

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Brother Jeff Alverson serves as the International Coordinator and Assistant Director of Military Missions here at Baptist International Missions, Inc. Born in Spartanburg, SC, his parents separated when he was only four years old and his home was broken up. The children went to live with their parental grandparents who suddenly passed away (both within a month of each other) four years later. At the age of eight Jeff went to live with an aunt and uncle who later adopted him into their family. It was here that he was taken to church, understood the gospel for the first time and was saved at the young age of nine.

Soon after he finished high school he joined the United States Air Force, spent a tour of duty in Viet Nam and was shipped to Dyess AFB in Abilene, TX. It was here that he got right with God, surrendered to preach and gave his entire life to God. Discharged honorably in December, 1969, he immediately began preparation for the ministry.

Jeff attended Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry College in Abilene and transferred to Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN where he graduated with a Graduate of Theology in May, 1973. He also holds the degrees of Bachelor of Religious Education from Faith Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Religious Education from Christian Bible College and a Doctorate of Divinity from Covington Baptist Theological Seminary.

Brother Alverson has started and pastored churches in North Carolina and Virginia. After 14 years of stateside ministry God called him and his family to Germany to work with the American military, where he worked with the army in Aschaffenburg and the Air Force at Hahn AB in Lautzenhausen for the next nine years. The military base at Hahn closed in 1993. Since then he has served in his present ministry. He and Dr. Kennard, Military Director, lead this ministry of 89 missionaries working in various parts of the world where we have a military presence.

In August, 2002, Jenny, his dear wife of 32 years, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She is presently taking chemotherapy and continues to battle this dreaded disease. Your prayers for her complete recovery are requested.

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The Military Ministry in now working with two field coordinators. Steve Nutt for Asia and Tom Lancaster for Europe were named to serve in this operation. Their present ministries will not change but serving in this capacity will give us some "boots on the ground" or hands on, on the field help when we need it. This has already proven to be an asset, especially in Europe as the military is being drastically re-aligned. Please pray for these men as they have assumed even more duties.

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Missionaries Stan and Charlene Lane have organized a new Baptist Church in Sardinia, Italy called the Solid Rock Baptist Church. There is a US Naval Base in Sardinia and the Solid Rock Baptist Church is the ony English speaking church in the area.

Stan and Charlene have rented two apartments, one is used for the church building and the other is used as their house.

The highest attendance so far has been 14 people which is an excellent attendance for such a short time. This couple has high expectations for the work and we expect to see the attendance double very soon.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS NEW WORK AND THESE DEDICATED MISSIONARIES.

NOTE: This is how most of our works began near US Military Bases. More missionaries are needed with a burden for our military.

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In the last GI Banner we told you about the opportunity we have to purchase a facility that would help meet the need in the years ahead in reaching the Grafenwoehr and surrounding military communities with the Gospel. So far we have raised around $25,000 from within the church and have received about $10,000 in contributions from supporting churches and individuals. If you can help us through a contribution towards this need and have not done so, please pray about what you can do. We need a substantial amount more to be able to make a down payment on this facility. The deadline for us to raise what we need is rapidly approaching. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. If you contribute, please sent it to BIMI and designate your contribution for the Grafenwoehr Military Building Fund and we will make sure 100% goes towards this need.

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BIMI has a self-study Bible course offered to military personnel, their dependents and military pastors and their dependents. There will be no cost for the course but each participant will be required to pay a materials and mailing fee. Providing the course is completed a ThG. Degree will be awarded by the Temple Heights Bible Institute, Tampa, Florida. If interested in enrolling in this course please contact missionary Al Sligh, P.O. Box 9215, Chattanooga, TN 37412.

The West Coast Baptist College is now offering a Bible course leading to a one year Bible certificate. The school is offering this course to active duty military personnel at half price which is $62.50 per semester hour. The one year program is offered on campus and online. To enroll call 888-694-9222 or online www.wcbc.edu. Ask your pastor about a brochure on the course.

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Bahrain is a country located approximately one hundred miles south of Iraq. There is a large US Air Base with many US troops and US dependents. One is only allowed in the country for only thirty days at a time except for those on active duty. A retired individual will need to catch a military aircraft at Siganella Naval Air Station, Italy to Bahrain. Then he would need to come back to Siganella every thirty days to get his passport stamped and return to Bahrain for another thirty days. This is not an ideal situation but it is an opportunity to minister to our military stationed there.

We need some one who can preach and/or teach a Bible study near the military base. If you are interested please contact Dr. James Kennard or Dr. Jeff Alverson, BIMI Military Missions,
P.O. Box 9215, Chattanooga, TN 37412
E-Mail Jim Kennard or E-Mail Jeff Alverson
Phone: 423-344-5050

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Thursday, September 9, 2010

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jonathan & Heidi Huff -  TOGO
Robert & Gail Huffman -  FRANCE
Don & Helen Hughes -  USA - NEW YORK