God's grace goes with them
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
Last weekend my family and I witnessed firsthand the benefits and blessings of one of our synod's ministry programs. My son, Zach, is a member of the Wisconsin National Guard. His unit was mobilized for deployment to Iraq, and for the last two months he and his fellow soldiers have been in training in Fort Bliss near El Paso, Tex. He was given four days of leave at the end of the training before he would depart for Iraq, so we gathered as a family to bid him farewell and Godspeed.
Since 3,000 members of the Wisconsin National Guard are involved in this deployment, you would correctly assume this group would include several dozen WELS soldiers. Recognizing that, WELS Military Services planned a special farewell worship service at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in El Paso. Pastor Paul Ziemer serves in a part-time position as the director of our efforts to serve WELS military personnel and their families around the world. He delivered a powerful and touching sermon that specifically addressed these soldiers and their families. The soldiers and their families also received the Lord's Supper, with its assurance of our oneness with God and with each other as his believers.
It was a bittersweet day for the many soldiers and their families who attended this service. There were some tears and fears. There were eyes filled with concern about the unknown. At the same time, however, with the strength and comfort provided by the Word of God, there was a clear sense that these soldiers and their families had an underlying trust in God and a confidence in his protective care, not to mention a sense of pride and appreciation. I can say this not just as an observer, but as a participant.
I am thankful for the efforts of our synod to serve the men and women of our armed forces and their families. These efforts operate with a very small budget and with limited personnel, but the spiritual benefits provided to our troops are beyond calculation. Please remember this work, along with the brave men and women this work serves, in your prayers.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
WELS Military Services wishes to continue serving these service personnel and others during their deployment. If you or someone you know has been called to active duty, fill out a military referral form.
Filed Under: Military, Military Services, Texas
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