A Worldly Mission That Is More Close To Home Than You Think
Many young men and women, fresh out of high school, are faced with several decisions. On one hand they could go out and join the workforce full-time, working and saving to get their own vehicle, and then shortly their first apartment. Yet another option is to apply to go directly to college to learn more in a course they really enjoy, with hopes of higher pay when they graduate. However, what many of our youth are now contemplating is joining a branch of the military.
Army, Navy, Marine Corp, and Air Force – all many ways they can serve our country. To serve and protect our country is a high honor, but unfortunately for many of these youth nowadays, they don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. They go through boot camp (which is tougher that they ever imagined) and then the lucky remaining few graduate into full-fledged military personnel.
Yet after their graduation, several march off to war in Iraq. While there, those who do not know God, learn to wish they had. For some, unless a friend or fellow serviceman shared the gospel with them, they may die never knowing the true peace and strength Christ provides us. This is a sad experience, and a scary one for the man who dies faithless on the war-field.
This is why I support Hospitality House, an outreach and military ministry. This ministry is made possible by Cadence International (http://www.cadence.org), an organization whose mission is to share the gospel through our lives and testimonies to the military community. They do this by creating 'hospitality houses' where military personnel may go to relax on comfortable furniture, enjoy a good, home-cooked meal and just be able to share their stories of loneliness and fear on and off of the battlefields.
Many times due to the fear of death and knowing that while fighting they could eventually perish, many servicemen and women are ready and eager to hear about Christ, as well as accept Him into their hearts. They need someone to love them, offer encouragement, listen to their fears and dreads, and finally point them to the hope and freedom Christ provides. Later on, Bible-studies and other evangelistic opportunities present themselves for a deeper outreach and connection to be possible.
Everyday our military puts their lives on the line for us. Isn't it time we lay down our own and help them out as well? Please feel free to visit the website above and check to see if there are any available ways you can help reach out and bless our fighting heroes of the military, and all others who eagerly await to defend and protect our nation and our freedom.