Daily Boost

July 4, 2011 - Heroes

By Ken Horn

Missionaries have been my heroes for a long time. They leave home to labor selflessly for the souls of the lost.

There’s another group of people who are often forgotten that I consider heroes. These are our military chaplains — missionaries in uniform.

Over the years I have gotten to know a few, and through my friendship with the Assemblies of God’s military chaplaincy directors — previously Chuck Marvin and now Scott McChrystal — I have become aware of the challenges many of our chaplains face.

These challenges are magnified by war.

Our chaplains on the battlefield are hit as hard as any of the combatants by the death or injury of those serving our country.

In such situations, chaplains continually give of themselves, knowing there is more than just life or death at stake; there are also eternal souls.

War can stretch chaplains to their limit and leave them physically and emotionally spent.

I think of two young men who died in the recent conflict. One was a vibrant Christian, active in his faith. There was no question where he would spend eternity.

Another was a man of courage and strength. But when he was killed, a friend said, “He wasn’t a religious man at all, so he’s just … dead.” We are uncertain what awaits him in eternity. Did a chaplain or fellow soldier share Jesus with him? Did he have time to cry out to God?

Our chaplains have been placed where eternity hangs in the balance. We need to pray for their protection, that they will have the strength they need, and that the Holy Spirit will guide them to those who need Jesus.

— Ken Horn is editor of the Pentecostal Evangel and blogs at Snapshots (khorn.agblogger.org).