by Jeff Alverson

The year was 1968. America was at war in Vietnam and had built up her armed forces in many of the Pacific regions to support the combat efforts. One of the major areas of build up was on the island of Okinawa, southeast of mainland Japan where several thousand troops were stationed. Missionary James Kennard, who now serves as Director of Military Missions at BIMI, was working with the Okinawan people and saw the great need for a ministry among the many Americans serving their country on the island. In September 1968 in Brother Kennard’s home, the Maranatha Baptist Church was started and consequently launched the worldwide ministry of military missions at BIMI. Missionary Bob Elzey responded to this needy ministry and served as the first pastor. Since the establishment of this first church, other missionaries have caught the vision and developed a passion to work with the US military stationed all over the world. Over the last 37 years, BIMI missionaries have started churches in most of the countries where we have a military presence, including the USA.

The ministry of military missions involves going into areas where there are military bases and starting a Bible-believing church. The church is then used as a base to minister to the military community. The work begins by evangelizing the military through gospel literature and door-to-door soul winning. Converts are then organized into a local, Bible-believing, Independent Baptist church, where they are equipped for Christian service. This prepares them to serve the Lord in other ministries after they transfer to their next duty station. The Bible-centered programs of the local church become a source of enrichment to the community as they minister to the troops and their families. The lonely hearts of many singles are also greatly encouraged through the Christian fellowship and activities that the church provides.

God has greatly blessed the efforts of our military missionaries. Literally thousands have been saved and many hundreds called into Christian service through the influence of these military churches. One church in particular has had more than 400 enter full-time service for the Lord. The reports coming in from our missionaries are stirring testimonies of the moving of God in the midst of the military communities. At virtually every BIMI Candidate Board Meeting (bi-annual meetings where missionaries are accepted for service with BIMI), a candidate will testify that his heart was moved for missions in a military church.

There is perhaps no ministry in the world that is more exciting than working with military personnel and their families overseas. Most men and women in the service are young people…many in their late teens or early twenties. For the most part, hard hearts and stubborn ways have not yet gripped their lives. Many are more willing to listen when they find themselves stationed overseas, several thousand miles from home. A missionary in Korea recently said that the troops could do one of two things when they come to Korea on a remote assignment sin or go to church. This is why it is so vitally important for a missionary to be there to present the gospel to them, and reach them for Christ at a young age.

Military people are also enthusiastic. Once they get saved, they want to serve the Lord. They are so oriented to service and regulation that it is only natural to transfer that philosophy over to the spiritual realm when they get saved. This is where the discipleship ministry of the local church is so vital. A missionary pastor is there to teach them the Word of God (the regulation Book) and train them to serve faithfully in Christian service.

Military people are also very transient. They are stationed at one location for a relatively short period of time, usually two to three years at the most. Therefore, it is important to teach them as much as possible about simply knowing Christ and serving Him in a practical way. Making disciples of military personnel is like training missionaries, because they will be shipping out to another area of the world. Most of the time they will go on to be a blessing to some other local church. If there is no good church in the area of their new assignment, they are often instrumental in helping to get one started.

Many of the troops who are serving in our military churches have been or are presently being deployed to the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. The Smiths at Schweinfurt lost all of their men when the 1st Infantry Division was sent to Iraq in February 2004. This, of course, puts a financial burden on the churches. However, it is also a great time to minister to the families of these soldiers who have been left behind.

We believe that these soldiers, when deployed into war zones where we cannot go, will become missionaries to their own troops. We know there are many trusting Christ as a result of their fellow soldiers witnessing to them. One soldier, who is an ordained preacher, was commissioned by his home church to baptize the converts. What a blessing to hear the testimonies of precious souls coming to Christ. All believers everywhere should be praying for our troops and for the dedicated service of military missionaries.

Our government is committed to improving the quality of military life in order to fill its ranks. They have built recreation facilities, theaters, golf courses and nightclubs. Yet the soldier’s greatest need (the need to know Jesus Christ) remains unfulfilled. Government cannot meet that need. The Lord Jesus Christ has relegated that responsibility to His church…and to believers who respond to His Great Commission.

BIMI has seen the need and is acting in obedience to our Lord’s command to “preach the gospel to every creature.” This includes more than two million service personnel. By no means have we completed this task to military people. More laborers are needed in this ripened, reachable and ready field. Could the Lord of the Harvest be calling you into military missions?

Further information on our Military Ministries and a list of our Missionaries to the Military

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