November 11, 2002

Texas churches lending aid as
military families face prospects of war
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___As tensions continue to escalate between the United States and Iraq, Texas Baptists, military personnel and their families who are facing an uncertain future are finding comfort in the will of God.
___Weeks after making his case on national television, U.S. President George W. Bush signed a congressional resolution Oct. 16 that allows him to take military action to disarm Iraq, which Bush accuses of violating United Nations sanctions by developing weapons of mass destruction and not allowing U.N. inspections.
___In the wake of the U.S. administration's actions, Texas Baptist ministers have noticed increased concern from military families who could be separated by deployment. Fort Hood-area pastors said it is believed if troops are sent to Iraq, at least some of them will come from Fort Hood, the largest military installation in the world.
___Troops have reacted differently to the possibility of deployment, one pastor said.
___"Some are mature enough in their Christian walk and are aware of the dangers and believe God will protect them in life and in death," said John Hallum, pastor of East Side Baptist Church in Killeen. "Others, not so mature, are scared and not prepared to handle the possibility of death."
___While troops may be concerned, they are focused on their duty, according to a San Antonio-area minister.
___"I don't detect a lot of panic or crisis-mode mentality," said David Troublefield, director of business administration at First Baptist Church of Universal City, near Randolph Air Force Base. "The military personnel know their job and do it well."
___Training may prepare their bodies, but military personnel can rely on their faith to steady them through the uncertainty, Troublefield said.
___"It probably makes all the difference in the world between confidence and despair," he said. "They have learned to go in their faith day by day because they don't know what will come next."
___Military personnel are not only worried about themselves, but about the families they will leave if deployed. Spouses will have to care for children and manage responsibilities that the military family member normally handled.
___Many Texas Baptist churches near military bases already have support groups for military spouses to help them when husbands or wives have been deployed for several months to a year. Church members are supporting the spouses by helping prepare meals, fixing items around the house and caring for children.
___The congregations emphasize prayer for the nation, armed forces and their families during worship and in small groups. Although it may be the simplest way to support the military, these efforts have a definite impact, Hallum said.
___"The primary thing we can do is pray," he said. "Prayer is a viable ministry. It can make a difference."
___Churches and communities with a large military contingent also face uncertainty. When troops are deployed, many wives and families return home, leaving an economic vacuum. The region loses the influx of money, and many businesses can be hurt. A downturn in the economy can hurt church budgets as well.
___Although Mark Kemp, pastor of First Baptist Church of Copperas Cove, is concerned about his congregation, he believes "God will provide" everything the church needs.
___The threat of war and economic downturn in the region will open new ministry avenues for his church, he believes.
___"It provides an opportunity to not only minister to the church but people in the community as well," Kemp said. "I think they will be searching for God as they were after Sept. 11."
___All three ministers agreed God will take care of the church and its members as long as they follow his desires.
___"The safest place is in the center of God's will," Hallum said.

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