Ministering to the Military

How does one deal with the horrors of war? Your senses on high alert, adrenaline pumping, the smell of burnt flesh and gunpowder, trauma, noise, confusion, the sounds, sights, and smells stamped onto your brain. How do you come back from deployment, relax in your easy chair, integrate back into a life of baseball games, mowing the lawn, and going to places with air conditioning, shiny floors, and elevator music?

A recent study¹ shows an increase in post traumatic stress disorder, suicide rates, and divorce among military members. Additionally, an estimated 100,000 – 200,000 veterans are homeless, including veterans from the most recent wars.

The need to minister to these who have dealt with the horrors of war is becoming increasingly clear.

Servicemen and women reach out to their chaplains for guidance and help, and in turn, chaplains from every branch of the military are contacting Faith Comes By Hearing to request God's Word in audio to provide to their troops.

Thanks to churches like yours, more than 40,000 Military BibleSticks have been sent so far. Now, with the recent deployment of 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, Faith Comes By Hearing is working to meet this additional need. Just last week alone, over 2,500 requests came in from chaplains for Military BibleSticks.

The Military BibleStick is a dedicated unit loaded with the Audio Dramatized New Testament. It is battery-operated, has a non-reflective black finish and low-powered operating light, making it possible for military members to use while on patrol. Each BibleStick includes an MP3 disc with the Audio New Testament and a card offering free MP3 Bibles for spouses and children.

God's Word in audio is making a difference in the lives of these men and women as they face the stresses of war.

Here are just a few of the letters we have received:

"As we prepare for yet another deployment, a soldier came into my office very distraught and extremely agitated. When I asked him how he had been preparing himself for deployment, I heard the standard answer, ‘I'm not as spiritual as I'd like. I can't find time to read the Bible.' I asked him if a Bible in MP3 format would help. A couple of weeks later, he told me he was doing better because he was taking time to listen to the Scriptures more. He also said, ‘By the way Chaplain, I'm praying more too—you helped me a lot—thanks.' Even my leadership has been listening more, and it has changed the environment of the leadership."
- Chaplain D.P.

"At our Operational Ministry Center, we now have several chaplains delivering your BibleSticks to servicemen and women on 37 different ships, but I have run out. I am emailing you to see if there is a chance of getting any more? Over the past two months, I have had to deal with nine deaths of servicemen and have used my remaining BibleSticks as a tool in my grief counseling. It helps them take their mind off of the situation and refocus it. The BibleStick has been a great resource."
- Chaplain T.F.,

"I work with soldiers who provide both hospital services as well as mental health assessments and debriefings. Having the opportunity to bring the Word of God in such a tangible way into the lives of my soldiers would be an extreme blessing for our unit. My unit's specialty in the mental health field means that they above all should have the Word of God in their ears as they seek to help soldiers with it, as well as their secular discipline. We will be deploying within three months."
- Chaplain D.S.

"Thank you! Our soldiers told me that they never imagined a device like this—a walking Bible that they are able to listen to while doing missions. It is so easy to carry anytime and anywhere. I truly believe this little device can help soldiers cope with their issues and concerns during deployment, and provide wisdom and the best course of action in making decisions. Thank you so much for your support and ministry!"
- Chaplain H.

Thank you to the many churches who have provided Audio Bibles—helping these men and women experience His peace, comfort, and strength. If you'd like to be a part of the Military BibleStick program, please give us a call at 1 (800) 545-6552.

¹Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel 2008 Survey Summary AS Q&A. Military Health System, December 2009; http://www.tricare.mil/2008SurveyQ&As.pdf