Tag Archives: Church and State

Christian Missions Aviation…In Space

Updated with NASA’s “What’s Going Up?”

When space shuttle Discovery finally lifts off (after two unsuccessful attempts so far), it will carry a crew of seven and a very unique piece of missionary aviation history.

Mission Specialist Patrick Forrester is taking up a piece of Nate Saint’s missionary aircraft.  Nate Saint was one of five missionaries martyred by the Ecuadoran natives they were evangelizing in 1956.  The incident was international news at the time, and brought attention and interest in the fields of missions and missionary aviation.

Astronaut Patrick Forrester is an Army helicopter pilot and graduate of the US Naval Test Pilot School.  This will be his third shuttle flight in his 16 years with NASA.  In taking up a piece of the bush aircraft, Forrester notes the importance of his faith and his hope that he can inspire an interest in missionary aviation:  Read more

President Sends Ramadan Greetings

President Barack Obama delivered the annual American Ramadan message this past week.

Ramadan is the month in which Muslims believe the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with a simple word – iqra. It is therefore a time when Muslims reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God.

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Soldiers Take Time for Bible in Training

According to a US Army news release, members of the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, found time to have a Bible study after training was finished for the day.

The session, led by Chaplain (Capt.) Patrick Vandurme…lasted for about an hour, giving Soldiers a chance to listen to verses from the Bible, pray, and talk to Chap. Vandurme as needed.

Officers and enlisted lauded the opportunity to exercise their faith Read more

Jewish Lay Leaders Support Soldiers’ Faith

A shortage of Jewish Chaplains in the US military, as well as the fact that a small number of Jewish military members tend to be spread out among a large number of bases, can make religious association of Jewish troops difficult.  This often leads to reliance on other soldiers or the contributions of “lay leaders”–often retired military members in the local community.

In the Atlanta, Georgia, area, retired US Navy Master Chief Jim Bradford is one such lay leader.  He recently coordinated the visit of Rabbi Menachem Katz, Aleph Institute director of outreach programs, to minister to the local Jewish community at Fort McPherson.  When they met, the group discussed the challenges of living of celebrating their faith within the constraints of the military environment.  Read more

US Army Chaplain Ministers to Soldiers, Iraqis

As noted in a US Army press article, Chaplain (Maj.) Dawud Agbere is one of six active duty Muslim Chaplains in the US Army.  He is currently a student at the Army’s Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.  In recounting his contributions to the Army, a former commander of a 400-man battalion said the soldiers in his unit “although mostly Christian, trusted Chaplain Dawud Agbere right away.”
 
Besides ensuring soldiers’ right to free exercise, Chaplains also serve spiritual, emotional, and even cultural aspects of internal and external military operations.  For example, despite criticism from activist groups, US military Chaplains have had the opportunity to minister to non-US peoples in Iraq.

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Finding God in Iraq: Living Christianity

Carol Pipes, a female reporter for Christianity Today, went to Iraq to report on the Chaplains at Camp Victory in Baghdad.  While most of the article merely recounts her narrative, she does make a few interesting observations.  In particular, she reinforces the importance of living the Christian witness, and how it is a tool for Christ even in the face of orders against conversion.

While proselytizing Muslims is strictly prohibited, Christians in the military demonstrate the love of God in their actions. The fruit of the Spirit that exudes from our chaplains and Christian troops is not lost on the Iraqis.

The article is entitled “Finding God in Iraq,” and can be seen at Today’s Christian Woman.

Military Religion Question of the Day: Mundy

According to Michael Weinstein’s Military Religious Freedom Foundation, in the following video,

In violation of military regulations, Lt. Col. Mundy appeared in full uniform on the Christian television program Total Victory Today.

So, did now-Colonel Mundy violate a military regulation? If so, which one?

If you don’t think he violated one, what’s your response to those who say he did?

Don’t know the answer? Ask below, and stay tuned for an update.

The full video, which is nearly twice as long as the YouTube version below, was available on the Total Victory Today organizational website.

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