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By Bryan Baggett
Today’s headlines are filled with references
to our military forces. Troop movements
are happening around the globe.

With the current worldwide
conflicts that we as a nation are
facing, our military personnel are
at the forefront ready to complete
the mission at hand.

Each branch of our armed
forces is making adjustments.

So too, the ministry to the souls of these
men and women must make adjustments.

The military churches in Europe are seeing
their families separated by longer and more
frequent deployments as Ukraine continues
its war with Russia. The most recent war in
Israel has many of our troops assisting in a
myriad of ways as America stands with our
ally. In the Asian theater, due to the threats of
China and other enemies of America, there
are more troops being relocated to existing
bases in that region. Our military ministries
located there are using every means possible
to reach our military and their families
during these tumultuous times. According to
military sources, there are new bases being
built in the Philippines. There are currently
no churches that we know of positioned to
reach our military when they arrive in these
new areas. There is a definite and distinctive
need for missionary pastors to start military
focused churches.

12 God has blessed America with some of the
finest men and women who have volunteered
to serve in the military. They stand well
prepared as a mighty force to be reckoned
with. Their training is second to none and
they are excellent at what they do. When we
have the privilege of encountering active-
duty personnel all around the globe, we
are quick to offer our appreciation for their
service. They come from all 50 states and a
multitude of diverse backgrounds, yet they
are committed to the defense of our nation.

It is our honor and our responsibility to serve
these brave men and women with the Gospel
of Jesus Christ wherever their service takes
them. It may be in the mountains of Italy, on
the islands of Okinawa or Sicily, in the cities
of Germany, or on the pier in Spain. It could
be on an airplane somewhere in between
that the Lord brings us across their paths. It
is our mission to do all that Christ asks of
us in sharing His love and so great salvation
with these great American heroes.

The next time you read the headlines or
hear the reporters talking about American
troops, would you please pray for them? Pray
for their protection. Pray for the salvation
of their souls. Pray for more laborers. Pray
about how you can be involved. W



By Clint Vernoy
And the things that thou hast heard of me
among many witnesses, the same commit
thou to faithful men, who shall be able to
teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).

Back in 1984, we chose this verse for our
prayer cards. We still have those, but we do
not have to update them so often now since
the kids are all grown, married, and living
their own lives. After all, the baby in this
picture below now has a daughter who is 18
years old.

We chose this verse because others had taught
us. They considered us faithful, trusted us
with their time and knowledge, and believed
we would be able to teach others. Thank you
to all of you who invested in us! First, Paul
taught Timothy and then Timothy taught
others and the teaching has continued across
two millennia and multiple continents,
countries, and languages. Now they were
trusting us and sending us to do the same.

Every missionary knows this is an honor, a
privilege, and a great responsibility to both
those who taught us and those who sent us.

Every missionary is sent out without knowing
how his life will change through the years.

Ministries and locations change. Health
concerns can redirect everything. There are
many variables and unknowns. Missionaries
must walk by faith, being a living sacrifice
and accepting dangers. The politics of a
nation can dramatically change in decades
or in just one election. It has always been
this way. God provides His church with the
means to fulfill His Will. Into all the world is
Number 1, 2024
BIMI 13