Military Families Need Our Help

I can never remember a time when I didn't love airplanes. My parents worked at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, GA, so growing up I was around them all the time. I had models of planes everywhere, drew planes in class, and was totally geeked out on being a pilot in the Air Force. God had other plans.

Maybe part of that plan was placing me here outside Eglin Air Force base as a pastor to minister to families, many of whom are or have been military. My office sits directly under one of the main runway's approach and takeoff lanes, so on a good day I might see and especially hear 30 take offs and landings by the best pilots in the world.

I was never military, so it's been a learning curve understanding the lingo, the culture, and the unique stresses a military family goes through. We've had families come to New Hope and then be reassigned to other places. We've had men deployed in war zones and have prayed for them, sent care packages, and winced every time we heard of another casualty.

Today I found a wealth of information on how a church like New Hope can do a better job of reaching out in love and service to military families. Here's an excerpt from this great blog. Ministering To Military Familes Bookmark it, or put it in your reader. This is a keeper.

Provide security—Military families relocate frequently, with no relatives living nearby. Spouses of deployed personnel need someone who will be a friend, calling and visiting frequently to check on family needs. Take a military spouse out to a movie or dinner. Invite a military family into their homes regularly to develop deeper friendships.

Provide home and auto assistance—When a spouse deploys for several months, mechanical problems involving the house, appliances, and cars arise. Church members with experience can volunteer to provide repairs at little or no cost. A church could compile and distribute a list of members willing to offer their services to these families.

Provide child care—Almost all of our military service families are in the child bearing and child rearing years. When a parent is deployed, the remaining parent is responsible for everything. A little free time can mean the difference between coping with life or losing it. Provide childcare occasionally while a parent relaxes or runs errands.

Provide youth involvement—Teenagers represent a valuable asset to the families of deployed personnel. Mowing or raking yards, doing odd jobs, and even helping with child care issues by babysitting can be a big help to these families. Another good way responsible and spiritually mature teens can help is by becoming a big brother or sister to children who are missing Mom or Dad. Just showing up for their ball games or school events can be a great source of joy to both the child and the teen.

There's lots more there - a real treasure. Anyone near a military base needs to grab this one.

David