March 2026 Armor Bearer

Dear Faithful Prayer Warriors and Mission Agency Supporters,                                                                                                                         

AFBM is 60 years old! Some readers will have a personal perspective on life in America, and in the world, back in 1966. I was busy riding my bike, and playing baseball and marbles, and occasionally doing some homework. For many, life in our country and in our world, was a bit more complicated, especially given the very persistent threat of communism. In fact, the United States found itself involved in a military conflict combatting communist influence in southeast Asia. On January 12, 1966, President Johnson affirmed US commitment to the Vietnam War. Six days later, the US announced additional troop deployments to South Vietnam. Not everyone was supportive. In March, there were global protests against the war. Unfortunately for military members, that vocal anti-Vietnam mindset would characterize the US landscape for many years to follow.

That same year, God was stirring other hearts about the military in a very different way. Three men, Harold Woolston, Joe Tolston. and Reverend Charles Robinson had a great burden for spreading the Gospel among the military in the Hampton Roads area of southeastern Virginia. Servicemen for Christ Baptist Missions began in 1966 with the goal of establishing fundamental,  evangelistic ministries near Fort Monroe, Fort Eustis, and Langley Air Force Base. It was initally located in Newport News, Virginia, just one and one-half blocks from the Newport News Naval Shipyard, the construction site of nuclear powered aircraft carriers and submarines. Thousands of young sailors flooded the area while their ships were under construction. This location was also in close proximity to the Norfolk Naval Base, which gave the missionaries access to thousands more Navy personnel. “Pop” and “Mom” Woolston (pictured to the left), the names given so lovingly and descriptively to this couple by their “buddies,” began winning servicemembers to Christ immediately. Their first convert was a young sailor named Allen. “Pop” and “Mom” are still household names to the thousands of military men and women impacted by their ministry.

Two more servicemen centers were soon opened; one at Camp Lejuene in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and the other at Mayport Naval Base in Jacksonville, Florida. Other ministries followed, including servicemen centers near Fort Meade, Maryland; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; and several locations in Hawaii. Overseas military churches sprang into existence as well in England and Germany. Later, more works in the US were started outside Fort Eustis and Fort Lee, Virginia; Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Fort Knox, Kentucky. While time and expansion brought trials and hindrances to the Mission Agency, God proved faithful and missionaries saw thousands of service members making salvation professions.

In 1969, the headquarters moved to Petersburg, Virginia and the Woolstons started a Servicemen’s Center near Petersburg and Fort Lee. The streets were teeming with soldiers and the Woolstons witnessed hundreds of them turning to Christ. During the summer of 1985, the home office moved into Temple Baptist Church in Chester, Virginia, a short distance from Fort Lee. The church was pastored by Dr. Walter Coles, then the Chairman of the Executive Board. At that time, the agency’s name was changed to Armed Forces Baptist Missions. 1992 brought a final significant change for AFBM when Dr. Coles accepted the pastorate at Good News Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia. The Executive Board voted to move the home office there, and AFBM remains a ministry of that local church to this day.

As we pause to reflect on 60 years of serving God, we give thanks for the spiritual burden and vision of many faithful servants over the decades. As God enables, we continue to reach our military today with AFBM missionaries pastoring churches and operating Christian servicemen centers in the US and overseas.  The current war in Iran reminds us of the urgency of our continued ministry efforts. Please pray with your AFBM Missionary family for our faithfulness and for much spiritual fruit.

Thankfully partnering with you to reach our military for Christ, Kevin Brown