Also interviewed was Military Ministry’s executive director Major General Bob Dees (Army, Retired).  They discussed the large number of combat veterans who are dealing with combat trauma, and the spiritual resources which provide help through it.  It comes as no surprise that Nate and Julie mention the church and some people within it that were key to their journey out of despair.

Nate, a former Army Ranger, said, “The work I’m doing with Military Ministry to help spread the word that ‘faith makes a difference’ has a huge response.”

If you (or someone you know) are  dealing with combat trauma, we encourage you to check out the resources mentioned in the interview, ptsdhealing.org, the Rapid Response Center (800) 444-6006, or call Jack Helmer, our military minister.  Jack’s mobile number is (254) 291-3255.

If you missed the live broadcast, you may click the links to view segment one and two.

If you are serving or have served in the military, and have come back from war wondering if something in you may be at least a little off, I encourage you to check out the class. Feel free to bring a friend as together we explore Christ-centered solutions for Combat Trauma.

To get to The Tower, climb the stairs that begin at the church offices to the 3rd floor.

Enlisted in God’s service,
Jack Helmer
Minister to Military

U.S. forces have sustained over 25,000 casualties, with 5,000+ deaths and another 22,000+ wounded. Many families have seen their second, third and even fourth deployments.

These families are hurting – bruising and bleeding on our behalf. Men and women returning from service often face difficulty with the transition back to “normal” life, and may experience relationship or financial struggles and even post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), “a ticking time bomb” in this generation of returning warriors. The effects of these burdens are dramatic, as seen in the rising divorce rate and in the increased potential for suicide, substance abuse, domestic abuse, and criminality.

We at First Baptist Belton seek to empower a “Corps of Compassion,” rallying the Fort Hood community and the nation to the call that: The urgent needs of military families are best met through relationships and a community which can compassionately deliver a message of faith, hope and love.

Hearing and seeing the need is the call to action, and taking action starts as easily as extending a helping hand and a caring ear.

Watch this page for further details about how First Baptist Belton is seeking to meet the needs of soldiers and veterans in our community who are struggling with combat trauma.

For one week, 25 boys with one common thread came together to forget about the loss of their fathers and bond. Sons of the Fallen: A Live Tribute to our Military Heroes is a two-hour movie that chronicles the boys’ “inspiring and compelling journey” at a Rocky Mountain camp.

Harker Heights Cinemark Theater will be one of about 500 theaters showing the film. It is scheduled to start at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 18.

The fathers of the 25 boys, ranging in age from 7 to 17, all lost their lives while serving the country in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Boys from Belton, Troy and Copperas Cove attended the camp, including our own Tanner Hartwick.

For more information on the film, visit sonsofthefallenonthebigscreen.com.

Veterans/Military Fellowship - All prior service or current military personnel are invited to enjoy a potluck fellowship in the home of Ron and Marlene Robertson at 311 Lily Drive in Belton on Friday, May 21, from 6-9 pm. Please bring your favorite dish, your spouse, and a friend. For those who have husbands deployed, you are encouraged to come and meet others who are in similar situations or have been there before.  Contact Kerri Hartwick at (254)654-5691 by Thursday, May 20, so we can set up appropriately.  Kingdom Kids is available by registration to Treasure Hanna. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, May 19.

Dinner will be served at 6 pm and the program will begin at 6:45 pm.  The event will be held at the Harris Community Center at 401 N Alexander St [map].  Childcare will be provided for elementary and younger.

The guest speaker will be MG William Grimsley, Acting Commanding General at Fort Hood.

For more information or to coordinate childcare please contact Mark Arrazola at (254) 939-3551 or Craig Pearson at (254) 939-0705.

Veterans Fellowship for March has been cancelled since it falls during Spring Break for schools.

If you have any questions about the military ministry, please contact Kerri Hartwick, Military Ministry Chairperson, at (254)654-5691 or Jack Helmer, Minister to Military, at (254)939-0705.

Kingdom Kids is available by registration with Treasure Hanna by email or at (254) 939-0705. Registration deadline is Wednesday, January 13.

If you are planning to attend the fellowship, please RSVP to Kerri Hartwick by email or by calling (254)654-5691.

I mentioned at our October fellowship that a military devotional was coming out soon.  It is now available! Battlefields and Blessings is a daily devotional of stories of faith and courage from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some members of First Baptist Belton have testimonies in the book. You can find the book at Lifeway or BattlefieldsandBlessings.com.

Kerri Hartwick
Military Ministry Chairperson

As we all know, yesterday was a dark day for our country, particularly our community and our armed forces stationed at Fort Hood. Of course, that affects many people in our church and their families. As far as we have been able to determine, all of the men and women who serve and are part of our church are safe and secure. For that, we are grateful.

This is a time to pray for the men and women of our armed forces. Sometimes we tend to think that if they’re not in Afghanistan or Iraq that they are safe, but this reminds us that life is very fragile and that serving in our armed forces can be dangerous, sometimes even here at home.

At this point, the best thing you can do is to pray. Pray for our country, for Fort Hood, for our community, for the men and women who serve in this area. As you see the men and women of our church who serve, just remember to thank them and encourage them. Let them know you love them, care about them, and appreciate what they do for our county.