Operation Barnabas

Military Kids

2012-04-27T14:34:23Z

Our congregations have a wonderful opportunity to speak for those who often do not have the chance to speak for themselves. Military kids face different challenges than those of other kids. There is a move every three years and then there is the reality that when a parent deploys, they are in harm’s way. Here is a link to a pbs special, “What Kind Of Struggles Do Military Kids Deal With?”

Here is a website created by military one source for military kids. It’s called “Military Kids On The Move”, and offers resources to both parents and kids who are facing another move, or a deployment. Just one more tool to put in your toolkit as your church looks for ways to care for military families.

Chaplain Rick Ebb – Caring for Pre and Post Deployment

2012-04-11T16:29:01Z

Chaplain Rick Ebb is a Lutheran Chaplain who serves the National Guard. He is stationed at Camp Atterbury in Central Indiana, just south of Indianapolis. Chaplain Ebb works with literally hundreds of soldiers in a week, who are either preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, or returning from a deployment. One can only imagine the spiritual and emotional needs of someone preparing for combat, or trying to deal with the consequences of battle. Chaplain Ebb walks them through those issues, as well as helping them face struggles that we all face. We have all lost loved ones in our lives, grandparents, parents, etc. But imagine if someone you loved passed away while you were deployed. Listen to Chaplain Ebb’s take on this part of life in the military.

Baby Landon…our responsibility

2012-04-03T13:10:11Z

Got this today from a Facebook post making the rounds. Cute and heart-breaking at the same time…

Meet Landon.

His father, Marine LCPL Carpenter, gave his life defending our country in Afghanistan earlier this year, a month before his son was born.

Baby Landon’s Mom wants his story to be known. Take a moment to share this photo with your friends and reflect on the price of freedom.

God bless Marine LCPL Carpenter and his family!

There are many in our communities who have lost a father or a mother due to combat. We dare not forget them…

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. – Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address.

If you are moved to care for Baby Landon, and for the thousands of military families….join us. Together, with God’s blessing, we can make a difference!

Families of the Fallen…

2012-03-30T13:23:27Z

It is a parent’s worst nightmare. Two Marines in full dress uniform arrive at your door and ask to speak to you. In less than a nanosecond, you know. You know that they have come to tell you that your child is dead. Decades of memories rush to your mind in a jumble. The military will offer every help possible, but they cannot change the fact that your child breathes no more. The body will arrive in a few days from Dover Air Force Base, and plans must be made. You have to tell…who? The family. The minister. You have to do things for…for the funeral. And sometimes you are able to hold it together to make arrangements and have a proper farewell. But the pain never really goes away. Even for those who have a sure and certain hope of a blessed reunion in heaven still ache for the child lost. Here is the story of one such mother. Families of the fallen are those we dare not forget. Operation Barnabas can also reach out to them….

Chaplain Mark Tews – One Of Our Own…

2012-03-27T00:28:58Z

Chaplain Mark Tews, LCMS Chaplain

A Lutheran Chaplain is on the way to Afghanistan. His name is Mark Tews, and he is a Chaplain from the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Thank God for those who are willing to go into harm’s way unarmed and unafraid, to care for our nation’s warriors!! God be with you Chaplain Tews. For more on this story, click here.

Are You A Marine Mom??

2012-03-23T17:38:06Z

Military families are a different breed. If their son is a lawyer, or a doctor they are not then a medical or legal family. BUT – if their son is a Marine, then they are a MARINE family. Period. That’s the end of it. Same for Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. And a word to the wise. Don’t even think of getting between a Marine Mom and her Marine. Our war fighters couldn’t do it without their families. So, when you see a vet, thank them for their service. And when you see a (insert branch here) mom, thank her for her support for her child. For more information on Marine Moms, click here.

Trinity Norfolk, Virginia – Moving Forward In Military Ministry

2012-04-11T16:32:34Z

I had the chance to visit the saints at Trinity Lutheran Church in Norfolk, VA. Trinity has many members who are veterans and who are currently serving. We sat and visited about options for outreach to the military community. Here are a few ideas and opportunities. Perhaps these ideas are similar to your outreach, or they may give you something to follow!

1) Members of the church have a very good relationship with sailors on the USS KEARSARGE. The congregation will adopt the KEARSARGE and develop a plan in concert with the ship’s leadership. This may involve such things as backpacks given to the children of the deploying sailor; care packages to the ship, and other needs developed by both the church and the KEARSARGE.

2) Trinity is currently working with a student group at Old Dominion University. They may have an opportunity to suggest to the university, in concert with other community groups (American Legion/ VFW and others) to create a veterans center, which looks a lot like a USO. A place to do homework, one stop shopping for VA benefits. If the money can be raised for this room, there may be opportunities for volunteers to staff the center, such as members of Trinity, and other vets. This center will also be a location for bible studies and other outreach opportunities.

3) The local circuit is investigating the possibility of requesting a vicar to do split time with military ministry, and university ministry. What about a deaconness? Deaconesses are one of the church’s hidden treasure!!! There may be a possibility of Operation Barnabas to raise money for scholarships and training for vicars and deaconesses to serve in situations like this.

4) Trinity has a parochial school. They have 84 students, but have the capacity for 115. They have spots for 31 students. Trinity is positioned in the heart of Navy country. Would there be a possibility of churches in the midwest “adopting” a child, and helping provide a scholarship for a military child to attend a Lutheran school?

These are just a few thoughts. But we are excited about the possibilities to see where the Lord leads!

Returning Is Not Always Easy

2012-04-11T16:32:13Z

Coming home from war is tough enough. Coming home from war with a terminal disease is something else entirely. But if you read this story from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, you’ll see that this man, in spite of everything, would still step up to serve. That is the type of individual we have wearing our country’s uniform. They don’t ask for much. But we have the opportunity to step up and assist them in their time of need. Operation Barnabas gives you that opportunity. If you and your congregation would like to know more, simply contact Mike Moreno at 402-316-8873, or email: chapmoreno@gmail.com.

Women Vets – Serving Proudly, Yet Often Forgotten….

2012-03-13T13:09:09Z

Our men and women have sacrificed so much for us. Men AND WOMEN. When we see soldiers in a firefight, piloting aircraft, and so on, we often assume it’s a man. Often, it is not. While women do an amazing job, the difficulties they face are daunting. Working twice as hard for half the respect, and facing sexual assault from their own comrades. Our women veterans deserve much from our nation, yet they are receding into the background, and not getting the help they need. This may be an excellent opportunity for Operation Barnabas to begin an outreach in your area! Please contact me if you would like some guidance as you move forward in this area! The video below is 26 minutes long…but your eyes will be opened to this great need.

Chaplains Suffer Too…

2012-03-12T14:31:20Z

Chaplains carry the promises of God to the battlefield. In the midst of horror and pain, chaplains are to bring the Holy into the midst of unholiness. Yet even though called by God, they are still susceptible to the pains and wounds that every warfighter faces. This is the story of one chaplain, and the struggle he faces. Things are better, but they will never be the same. I’m proud to say I know Chaplain Dundas. Please add him, and his flock, to your prayers. And thanks be to God that He continues to provide Chaplains to bring Christ to those who need Him so desperately.