news

Soldier Prays for Salvation

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:51:08 +0100

On Sunday, 15 April I had drill and scheduled a chapel service. I was somewhat discouraged that there were only 6 of us there that day. I preached about the Theif on the Cross and about being prepared to die. It's a great passage to preach Salvation from. The story is there so that none would be in despair thinking it was too late for them to get saved. The story is also only recorded once so that none would presume that they can wait until their dying breath to call on Jesus. After the messaged and prayer, a Soldier asked if I would stay behind and talk to him. He told me that he wanted prayer, that he had been religious, but now was searching and dissatisfied. We talked about the authority of the Bible, and the message of Salvation. He told me he wanted to pray for Salvation, so we prayed together. After we prayed, I told him that I believed that you could expect to feel God when you pray, and that when God washes your sins away you can feel it. I asked him how he felt, and he said he felt better and that a burden had been lifted. I praise God for the opportunity to point a soul to Christ, and lead them to Old Time Salvation! He had been raised Catholic, so he knew nothing about true Salvation, but thank God, he does now!! Pray that God would continue to guide him and lead him in the right way.

Praying with this young man took me back to the day I got saved. I knew nothing about True Salvation, but after I went to the Altar and prayed for salvation someone asked me if I felt different, I didn't know how to describe it but I knew that something had changed and I did feel different. I will never forget that day, or that feeling, and praying with this Soldier reminded me once again just how great Salvation truly is. I NEVER SHALL FORGET THE DAY!!

Chaplain Aric Foster Returns from Afghanistan!!

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 14:19:13 +0100

Bro. Aric returned from a long hard deployment to Afghanistan this month. Thank you for all of your prayers and support. A testimony of the good work Aric did in Afghanistan is the fact that he earned many awards, which include a Bronze Star and a Combat Action Badge. These two awards in particular are not hand outs, but must be earned. I have witnessed many Officers and Chaplains being given Meritorious Service Medals for their service during a deployment. For a Chaplain to earn a Bronze Star for his service shows just how well Bro. Aric did in ministering to his Soldiers. A Combat Action Badge is awarded when a Soldier is engaged by the enemy. Whether it was a rocket attack, small arms fire, or an IED (roadside bomb), our brother literally put himself in harms way in order to more effectively minister to his Soldiers. We should all be proud of Chaplain Aric Foster, who has served God and Country honorably. Continue to pray for God to use Aric in ministering to his Soldiers who are going to be making that tough transition back to civilian life.

In Defense of Military Chaplaincy

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 19:47:10 +0100

In Defense of Military Chaplaincy

Answering some common arguments against Military Chaplaincy with the facts

This is not an exhaustive list of objections to Military Chaplaincy. I’m really only barely touching on the subject, but I hope this may help someone who may be considering becoming a chaplain, or quiet someone who may be a longtime critic of those who put on a uniform to provide Spiritual freedom to those who are willing to put their lives on the line for our physical freedom.

Common Objection 1: You can’t pray in Jesus’ name

Military regulation states that “every chaplain shall minister according to their faith,” and “no chaplain shall be required to minister outside of his or her faith.” This means that if it is your faith to pray in Jesus’ name at the end of EVERY prayer, you are free to do this. I have noticed since becoming a chaplain that many of our great men of God who pray in services do not end every prayer in Jesus’ name. In the same sense, I don’t end every prayer in Jesus ‘ name, but I don’t avoid saying that to keep from offending Athiests. The reality is that just having prayer is offensive to some. MY UNIFORM HAS A CROSS SEWN INTO MY CHEST AND A CROSS SEWN INTO MY HAT.

Common Objection 2: They will tell you what to preach

This is totally untrue. The only limitations that a Military chaplain faces are those that come with common sense. For example, if as a chaplain you are asked to pray before a meeting, meal or ceremony, common sense and wisdom dictate that this Is not the time to take a text and preach a 30 minute sermon. When it comes to chapel services, and times when a chaplain is preaching a chaplain is 100% free to preach according to their faith. This same common sense exists in everyone’s life. That’s why you may not see many people stopping their car in the middle of an intersection, blocking traffic and preaching the Gospel to a captive angry audience of people who are stuck behind you. There is a time and a place for everyone, and even though you may not have thought about it, you too have some limitations to when you will or will not preach. We could use some more common sense and courtesy in our delivery of the greatest message on earth. To be bold doesn’t mean that you intentionally offend, but to be bold means that you declare plainly. There is no shame in delivering a message in a courteous manner. You don’t have to knock on your neighbor’s door at 3:00 AM and scream and shout at the top of your lungs that Jesus loves them. There is a time and a place to deliver the Gospel message in a courteous way. Look at how Paul addressed the nobles in his messages to Felix and Agrippa, filled with respect and courtesy.

Common Objection 3: You have to be Ecumenical/ compromise with other Religions

A chaplain’s main function is to protect and ensure the 1^st Amendment rights of all Soldiers in their unit. In affording these rights, a chaplain’s responsibility is to either perform or provide religious services to support their Soldiers. To perform means that you actually conduct the services. To provide means that you help them to find a way to have them. If a Mormon comes to me and asks to have their bread and water communion, I do not have to do it, I would have to help them find a Mormon place of worship. This is not endorsing the Mormon faith, or . This is the area that I struggled with the most in deciding to become a chaplain. Then I thought about times that, as a part of my job, I had to help gay people enroll in health insurance. I also thought of the fact that when I went to Iraq, ready to lay my life on the line, and ready to take life if needed, it was to preserve the freedom that we enjoy. Freedom that is used by some to preach the Gospel, but also used . You may work at Walmart, or Ford, but I guarantee you that your services help somebody somewhere to do something that the Bible condemns. Whether that means a Muslim family driving their Honda to a Mosque after you changed their oil, or that you sold Life Insurance to a man who made his “boyfriend” his beneficiary, it is still providing for someone in a way that . The only thing a chaplain provides is that they provide for the free exercise of religion, what Soldiers do with that is up to them. Just like someone else may provide an oil change for a family, where they drive their Honda is up to them. I will tell you that while I help them to find a place to worship I’ve got a great opportunity to share the Gospel with them. The Commandant of the Chaplain’s School at Fort Jackson addressed the classroom full of Soldiers who were trying to become chaplains. In his first address to us he said, “We do not want you to compromise”. He followed that with, “In fact, if you compromise, we don’t want you because you won’t make a good chaplain”. The message was and is clear, compromising your faith is not a requirement to become a Military chaplain.

Common Objection 4: How can you be a chaplain when they let gays in the Military?

I don’t have to spend much time here, except to say: they have been allowing gays in the USA for many, many years, so why not have all the Holiness Pastors move to Uganda to preach where it is not legal to be a practicing gay? The Military did not endorse homosexuality as approved by God, it simply . Do I agree with their decision? No. Do I still have the right to preach against homosexuality as a sin? Yes. The only people who will have problems is those who have never preached against any sin, and now all of a sudden they are preaching against homosexuality every message. My first message as a chaplain candidate was 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and my first message after they repealed don’t ask don’t tell was 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. I did not target homosexuality but targeted all sin, and tried to point all sinners to The One Savior. When preaching against homosexuality becomes a hate crime in America, I don’t plan to move to Saudi Arabia, but I plan to be labeled a “hater” as I continue to preach that Jesus died to save sinners, which includes homosexuals, fornicators, liars and gossips. The message will still be repent, believe and obey.

Common Objection 5: What if they take away a chaplain’s freedom to minister?

What if the government takes away our right to preach? What if they take away our right to assemble? What if it becomes law that nobody is allowed to pray in Jesus’ name in a public setting in America? What if, what if, what if. There are endless “what if” scenarios, to which we can respond with the same answer, “It is better to obey God than man.” Our right and responsibility to preach the Gospel are secured by something far greater than the Constitution. Long after the Constitution is trashed by the coming dictator, the Word of God will still stand! Peter and John were pulled aside by the Temple authorities and were instructed not to preach in Jesus’ name any more. When the authorities sent for them to be brought in from their jail cell, they found that they were missing. Where had they gone? After being liberated from the prison, they went right back to the place that they knew they were not welcome. They were found preaching Jesus in the Temple. Paul knew that his Gospel was not welcome in the synagogue, yet the first place he went every time he came to a new city was the synagogue. When he was taken outside the cities of Derbe and Lystra and stoned, after he was raised when the saints gathered around him and prayed the first thing he did was went right back and kept on preaching the Gospel. While we are hiding in the closet with the message of the Gospel, the homosexuals have come out of their closets bolder than ever. We act so shocked when we find some pocket or resistance somewhere, but Jesus told us that in this world we would have tribulation. Paul said they that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. IT IS HIGH TIME THAT WE GET A HOLD OF SOME HOLY DEFIANCE AND TAKE THE GOSPEL TO THE DARK AND DIFFICULT PLACES AGAIN!! If this Gospel really does deliver drunks and drug addicts, then why don’t we take the Gospel to the drunks and drug addicts? If the Gospel really is the answer to all of man’s problems, then why is Islam the fastest growing religion in the prisons? If there really are people who have never heard the Gospel in our country and countries across the world, then why do our evangelists load up in a truck and trailer or motor home that cost enough to build several churches in third world countries and preach the good news that you can make it through your trial to a church world that plays with the Gospel while BILLIONS of souls sit in the darkness waiting for someone to come to them and point the way? It’s an easy copout for someone to throw up these objections to becoming a Military chaplain, or to use them to criticize others who do, but I encourage you to examine the facts, study the Bible and see what God thinks of it.

Prayer Breakfast

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:22:48 +0100

Today I had the opportunity to organize a prayer breakfast for the unit that I'm working for. Soldiers who work at the Armory come by for food, fellowship, a message and prayer. This month our guest speaker was Rev. Carlos Burdine, Pastor of Shelby Street Lighthouse Pentecostal Tabernacle. It was great to have fellowship with him, and he did a tremendous job bringing an encouraging message delivered with a burden. We had a good crowd, and they received the message well. Special thanks to Pastor Burdine for making the trip to minister from his heart.

Below is Bro. Burdine receiving an award in appreciation for his service and message.

Below Bro. Burdine delivers a message titled "Where to turn in a time of crisis".

219th BfSB Soldiers Return Home

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:25:50 +0100

This week we welcomed home the last large group of Soldiers that have been deployed to various parts of Iraq since 2010. It was an exciting event as families hugged their loved ones, fathers held their children, and husbands and wives embraced one another. I was elated as I watched, and greeted Soldiers, and I thank God that they've all made it home safely.

I'd like to thank everyone who has prayed for these Soldiers as well as all who are serving overseas. They faced many dangers, and have now made it safely home. Thank God!!! We will continue to rejoice with them, but I'd like to ask you to continue to pray for the Soldiers of the 219th BfSB. They went over with just over 400 Soldiers, of which every one has made it home. With the dangers of combat behind them, they now face the challenge of reconnecting with their families, recovering from living in a combat zone, re-adjusting to civilian life, and many of them are trying to find employment in a troubled economy. With all of these things facing them, many turn to the wrong things to help them to cope, drugs, alcohol and the party life. Pray with me that our returning Soldiers will find support from healthy sources, family, friends, the Military and ESPECIALLY from God. As much as it is just a cliche for many, to others like you and I it has become our way of life; Jesus is the answer. He is the Great I AM, and in Him we are complete. I've spent some time with a WWII veteran who saw heavy combat in his over 2 years of combat. He was injured in action, and later came home. After he came home to his wife, he started having nightmares and suffered from what we now call PTSD. After some time of watching him go through this, his wife told him that he must either get this straightened out or she was leaving him. He told me, with tears in his eyes, that at that point he gave his life completely to Christ, and dedicated himself to the ministry. He went on to be a Pentecost pastor for many years. While I'm sure his problems with memories of a war zone did not go away over night, he found Christ to be his source of help and strength. Please pray that God would help our Soldiers as they transition back into civilian life, and especially that they would turn to Him as He stands ready and willing to help them.

A Great Opportunity

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:54:18 +0100

Yesterday I worked at an SRP helping Soldiers get ready to deploy to Afghanistan. I talked to over 200 Soldiers one on one about their religious preference, and had the opportunity to plan many seeds of the Gospel with them. I had a couple of Soldiers who wanted prayer right then, and when I was starting to get weary and tired and really wanted to leave for lunch, I had another Soldier named Dave stop by, and things took an interesting turn.

Dave and I talked about his spiritual life, his faith, and where he was at. I shared the Gospel with him, and he told me that he was a believer, and that his faith really helped him through his last deployments. He also expressed to me that he wasn't where he needed to be spiritually, and knew he needed to make things right. I quickly said, "I can close this door right now, and pray with you and make things right with God right now if you want". He sat there and looked at me for a minute, then told me how he really needed to, and wanted to, and I thought he was about to make an excuse, but then he said, "you know what sir, I would like that." I was shocked, and had to ask him again just to make sure I heard him right. Then I closed the door, and helped him to ask Jesus into his heart as Savior and Lord, and to forgive him of all his sins. I gave him some basic instructions, and then after a little bit he walked out. Needless to say, when he left I was not tired any more, and could care less about food. I thank God that He gave me the opportunity to help lead this Soldier to Christ just before he heads over to a Combat Zone.

Pray that God keeps Dave safe, and saved, and that He uses him to reach others. Also pray that God will give increase to all the seeds of the Gospel that He gives me the opportunity to sow, and that He will give me boldness, wisdom and anointing to win more souls.

Update from Aric Foster

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:40:22 +0100

I just got an update from Brother Aric Foster, he is currently serving as a Chaplain for an Infantry Brigade in Afghanistan. We need to really be praying for this dear brother, that God would give him souls and that God would protect him and his unit. Here are a couple of exerpts from his email to me.

"...We have had some wonderful services going on here and I have three Bible studies going so that is really good. My assistant and I are in the midst of a building program for a new Chapel so I will be ready to get moved in and start using it as our offices will be in the same building as well which will be great for us. My Catholic Soldiers are some of my biggest supporters and come to service. I have one Catholic which tells me all the time 'wow I have never heard preaching like that' but it is different for them. I just preach like I would in our churches..."

We need to really pray for his safety and his unit's safety, as they are obviously in hostile territory. He goes on to say:

"...I have had four of my Soldiers killed which two have been by IED's. I have been in several convoys that have been hit by IED's and had an RPG between my truck and the truck in front of us. Last week was under fire three times and its a different feeling hearing those bullets whiz right over your head. Had a mortar land way to close for comfort one day while at one of my COP's and needless to say the conversation I was having was over right then as we scrambled to don our gear and get safe."

Aric

Update from Bro. Trey

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:11:27 +0100

I recently returned from Camp Dodge Iowa, where I filled in as the Chaplain for an Indiana National Guard Brigade. I had the opportunity to share Christ one on one with several Soldiers, preached in two chapel services, and held one Bible study. Chapel services were well attended, with the first service bringing in 10 soldiers, the second bringing in 11, and the final chapel service bringing in 20 soldiers. I preached to them out of John 3 (dealing with Nicodemus), Jonah, and Luke 15.

In my full time work I have been involved in trying to organize family Strong Bonds events for the families of the deployed unit. Strong Bonds events are excellent opportunities to give soldiers practical family and relationship tips and guidance. It is provided for single soldiers, married couples (as defined by the Federal Defense of Marriage Act), and families. I've also been involved in counseling, and have recently purchased several copies of "More than a Carpenter" by Josh McDowell. This is an excellent resource to give to Soldiers that are seeking. I only have one copy of that book left, so I'm praying that God will continue to give me opportunities to plant seeds, and to water them so that one day someone will reap the harvest.

Military chaplaincy is a unique ministry in that I get to deal with many people who would never necessarily darken the doors of a church. Though I have not seen many conversions in my work at this point, my mission is to be another hand guiding them to a decision for Christ. It takes a person an average of 7 times hearing the Gospeld to be saved. It is my goal to be one of those 7 times for each soldier that I'm able to come into contact with. Only eternity will tell the true effect chaplain ministry has had in adding souls to the kingdom of God. I covet your prayers for open hearts, open doors, and a fresh anointing.

Trey

Update from Brother Aric Foster

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:57:03 +0100

Trey,

It is going well. I preach at least three times a week and sometimes more. I have two dedicated Chapels and then the other places I use the conference room and take my projector and laptop for the music part. It is long hours because you deal with all the issues you have in the states even with spouses. Also since we are Infantry and have gotten in a lot of TICs I deal with combat stress when these gusy realize hey I could have got killed today. But other than that it is a great time and getting to fly a lot and keep a bag packed....

Aric

New Newsletter for deployed 219th BfSB

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 17:53:36 +0100

Catch up with the 219th now. The June 26, Issue 5 is here.