June 2025 Armor Bearer
| June 2025 |
Dear Faithful Prayer Warriors and Agency Supporters,
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
That Bible verse has profound spiritual meaning. It is also often quoted around the military’s most sacred of holidays, Memorial Day. During May, I found myself ministering in Florida churches on the weekends surrounding Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. Those can be important times to speak directly to veterans. Having walked the Army path myself for 26 years, I have some understanding of the sacrifice involved in military service. For many of us in or out of uniform, Memorial Day is a somber time that brings reminders of those we lost among our ranks in peacetime and during war.
As difficult as it may be for a servicemember remembering the loss of a “brother in arms”, it can be even more challenging for the Gold Star families who lost their loved one. You likely have seen an image of tearful family members receiving a military flag or a young bride mourning in a military cemetary. As God allows, we at AFBM want to be a help to them. Those poignant images increase our sense of urgency as we seek to reach those whose profession can place them in harms way with very little notice. Our desire is that none would perish without hearing a clear Gospel presentation. We can’t reach them all, but we desire to faithfully share with those in our path. We keep Jesus’ words from John 9:4 in mind, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”
God at work in Southern Europe
April included a wonderful ministry visit to Vicenza Baptist Church in northern Italy. Outside that Army base on the southern edge of the Alps, Missionary Pastor Tim Drylie and his family faithfully proclaim truth and show the love of God to the military families and DoD civilians serving at that base. It is easy for servicemembers to get caught up in the aesthetic beauty of God’s creation. Our God is a master architect, but He created something even more beautiful than majestic, snowcapped mountains. He revealed His redemptive plan for mankind through the sacrifice of His only Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please pray for Brother Drylie and the faithful servants at Vicenza Baptist Church as they labor to share that beautful message.
Alexander is a soldier preparing to leave the Army after faithful service at Vicenza Baptist Church and God has called him to prepare for full time vocational ministry. Taking advantage of the Army Career Skills Training Program, Alexander was approved to serve an internship at Vicenza Baptist Church during his final months in the Army. What a tremendous opportunity to grow and serve alongside his missionary pastor! Would you pray that God would use the remaining weeks of his internship to teach and grow Alexander? Also, please pray for him as he transitions out of the Army, completes Bible college training and seeks God’s leading about future ministry.
Accepting the call
Last newsletter I told you about how God was expanding the ministry of the Servicemen’s Center near Maguire Air Force Base. I am now excited to announce that Dave and Michelle Wells have accepted the Lord’s leading to serve as the new Director of that Center. With the full support of their home church, Crossroads Baptist Church in Lakehurst NJ, and the assistance of an “Army” of volunteers in that church, they have already strengthened that important Gospel lighthouse ministry right outside the Base gate. AFBM is excited to assist these servants and their church as they continue their focused efforts to reach young military men and women serving in that area. If you would like to learn how you can become a financial supporter of this vital Gospel ministry, please contact the AFBM Home Office at the number at the bottom of the page.
The summer permanent change of station (PCS) move cycle is well underway. Would you pray continually for God to sustain vital military ministries as they lose people and as they welcome in new arrivals? Also, ask God to send some mature believers that can enter into immediate service to fill the vacancies left by those whom God moved on to new duty stations.
Your grateful AFBM Missionary family thanks you. Kevin Brown