“Chaplains tell me they sometimes feel separated from The Alliance,” says Robert Collins, retired lieutenant colonel (Army) and director for Alliance Military Chaplains Ministries.
Collins is the professional and spiritual mentor for Alliance military chaplains whose deployment takes them around the world and to the frontlines of war. “They have no Alliance churches close to where they are stationed, or they live in an area of the world where there is no Alliance fellowship.” Collins understands isolation, having experienced it while he was in the military; he is working to change that for our chaplains and the troops they serve.
Alliance chaplains stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait have been telling the stories of God’s amazing work among troops for more than six years. Conversions and baptisms have taken place in historic cities recorded in the Book of Genesis; Bible studies have sprung up throughout the many battalions.
Driving Out Dark Forces
C&MA Chaplain (LTC) David Bowlus serves with the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, now deployed in Iraq (the ninth combat-zone deployment for Bowlus). The division’s mission is to train and support Iraqi troops in defeating religious extremists. Since the 101st entered the country, the extremists have lost approximately 45 percent of the territory they had taken in 2014.
As the senior chaplain for the U.S. and international forces in Iraq, Chaplain Bowlus heads up a team of military chaplains who lead dozens of worship services and Bible studies each week and provide counseling services and other spiritual support. They assist commanders in teaching the value of life through suicide prevention classes. The chaplains also distribute print and audio Bibles donated by churches in the United States. “Soldiers are making decisions to follow Christ, be baptized, and become committed disciples,” writes Bowlus. “We also pray regularly for our brother and sister Christians in Iraq who are being persecuted, martyred, and driven away from their homeland by the extremists. Yet, we have also seen much demonic activity here being driven out by the authority of Jesus Christ.”
In late March and early April, Chaplain Bowlus conducted five Easter services for soldiers and coalition members in Iraq. Faced with dangerous surroundings, those stationed in this turbulent land are constantly reminded that each day on the battlefield could be their last. The message of the Resurrection of Jesus provides comfort and assurance in the midst of turmoil and risk.
A Global Vision
Alliance chaplains represent Jesus in challenging, diverse places where traditional ministries often have few opportunities to proclaim the gospel. “The vision is larger than Alliance Military Chaplain Ministries,” writes Collins. “I believe we bring our Alliance chaplains closer to the realization that they are a vital part of the greater Alliance family, and that we have a bold vision that is larger than our own individual ministries: taking the whole gospel to the whole world!”
What you can do
This Memorial Day and throughout the year, please remember Chaplain Bowlus and other Alliance military chaplains as they serve in difficult places, separated not only from their own families but from the greater Alliance family as well. They need to be assured that we are supporting their efforts through our watchful prayers. Pray for the safety of our troops who place themselves in harm’s way, defending those who cannot defend themselves against the brutal advance of radicalized groups. Pray for wisdom and strength for the military leaders in Iraq, particularly for the division’s commanding general, MG Gary Volesky. Pray also for the people of Iraq. Even if the coalition troops are successful in driving out the terrorist forces, the nation needs deep healing, having been fractured through mistrust, greed, and deeply established spiritual strongholds. Finally, pray for the families of those who continue to serve in our armed forces, as well as the families of those who have sacrificed their lives so that others may live in freedom.
Learn more
Read more about Easter services in Iraq and the ministries of U.S. chaplains.
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