2016 Uniform in Christ Montana Veteran Spiritual Healing Project

As I was reflecting on our Uniform in Christ event a few days ago, I was thinking about how at the point in our lives that we take the step forward to follow Christ, no matter what it is he has in store for us, a part of this commitment to be in his Kingdom is to be a Kingdom capacity builder.  But the capacity building looks different for everyone, and just like fingerprints, no two individuals' charted path to carry out the Great Commission are the same.  For me and this specific calling, Uniform in Christ is about mobilizing the Church in Montana to take responsibility for the spiritual wellness of those who have worn, or who continue to wear the uniform (more to come on this specifically later in this post).  

This past Friday night marked our first event of 2016, and with it we had the opportunity to share some big news that we are very excited about.  Here are a few of the main points of the evening, with the highlight being the effort that is being started to bring Mighty Oaks Warrior Program Founder Chad Robichaux and his wife to Helena in August (please see below):

-Prayer Offered for our Montana Service Members on Active Duty, in the NG/Reserves, Veterans and their Families

- What is UIC

"So what is Uniform in Christ?  This is simply a ministry dedicated to strengthening the body of Christ within the Montana military structure, Reserves, National Guard, Active Duty, as well as Veteran community.  By developing and strengthening a Christian network in our state we are able to mitigate spiritual crisis through Christian service.  The network can also include anyone from the Christian community who  has the desire to share their spiritual gifts and support our Service members, Veterans and their Families."

 

-What UIC is not

"Uniform in Christ is not intended to replace anyone’s home church, small group study, or be the lone source for spiritual and Christian growth.  This is a complementary para church ministry, to support a specific segment of our population with similar life experiences, which can only be understood through a similar lens."  

-Veteran Reintegration Video from Rural Veterans Health Access Program Grant was shown

video can be found at www.montanaveteranconnection.org (on right hand side of homepage)

 

-So Why UIC

"The complexities of moral and spiritual destruction cannot be addressed without having a conversation about purpose, hope, accountability, and eternity.  Believing that we are alive for a given purpose is paramount when attempting to reconcile a moral dilemma, of which can be debilitating among our Veterans.  UIC can be a vehicle to help these important discussions take place through our Christian worldview.  Secular care only, simply does not answer these complex questions." 

 
-Mighty Oaks PTSD Treatment Center in California short video shown (video can be seen here https://vimeo.com/128687368)

An effort is being created to bring the founder of this program and his wife to Helena in August for the Montana Joining Community Forces Service Provider Symposium, Helena Military and Veteran Community Resource Fair, and a One-Day Conference to delve further into their program for combat Veterans.  At the minimum, we will get three opportunities to have Mr. Robichaux and his wife discuss the capacity for moral and spiritual healing for individuals and families through Jesus Christ.   This is a huge deal because there is nothing of this sort in Montana, or even in the great Northwest.  Not only will we be having them share at these events, but we will also then be able to be a conduit for Montana Veterans to have access to this powerful Christ-centric spiritual healing program that Mighty Oaks offers.  

In order for this to be fruitful, we will need your support.  We would love to be able to speak to  you about this project that we are calling 2016 Uniform in Christ Montana Veteran Spiritual Healing Project.  Many of the challenges that Montana faces with suicide, homelessness, financial struggles, PTSD, marital issues, relationship issues, and loss of purpose/hope are derived from spiritual and moral destruction deep down in the soul, derived from combat experiences, and now we can positively influence healing through Christ through this project.  

We will be having a discussion with individuals across the state who would like to serve as Uniform in Christ community representatives in the near future, so if you could pray about this and if this is something on your heart to be involved with, we would love to have you join us in this important endeavor.  This will be the first step in mobilizing the Church.  Also, please pray for financial support to fund this project, pray for our leaders and ministry, pray for the staff at Mighty Oaks, and as always please pray for our Montana Service Members, Veterans and their Families.  

Just as this ministry and we as Christians continue to sanctify, I am blessed to share a verse that is a beautiful reminder  about God's capacity to continue shaping us for his purpose.  Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”.  

If you are interested in hearing more about this project, please email us at uniforminchrist@gmail.com .  Thank you and God Bless! 

  

Looking forward to 2016

In the last blog I indicated that Uniform in Christ would share how people can get involved in our ministry this year.  So with this we are excited to share our next outreach event that helps build the foundation for the year by discussing our ministry, enjoying worship and fellowship, hearing testimony, and most importantly praying for God's blessing as we move forward with 2016.  There are some incredible things in store and we would like you to be there to hear about them, as well as find out how you can support this mission.

An example of what 2016 is bringing to Service members, Veterans and Families through Uniform in Christ is the opportunity to participate in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University without cost.  Churches, SMVF (Service members, Veterans and their Families), and supporters are able to get involved in this part of UIC through the channels below: 

-Churches that host FPU classes are invited to offer this opportunity to their local Service members, Veterans and Families by contacting us through the email address and making arrangements that fit both the church and UIC.  We welcome churches from all over the state to join in this effort. 
  
-Interested eligible participants find a local class through www.daveramsey.com and then email uniforminchrist@gmail.com to request an application to take the course.

-Anyone interested in contributing to allow Service members, Veterans and their Families the ability to participate in this course can email us to coordinate their contribution.  It costs UIC $90 to purchase each membership kit (1 kit/individual or family), so if there is interest in supporting one family or several, this is the rate to gauge the financial contribution.

100% of all donations to support this particular part of our ministry will go to paying for membership kits.  Currently, we have UIC specific course facilitators in Helena and are seeking to have UIC leaders and hosts across the state.  All facilitators are offering their time on a volunteer basis and are encouraged to share their personal financial journey as part of leading the course.

The reason we use this course is because Dave Ramsey has built his program based on guidance from the bible, speaks his heart, and has been at rock bottom financially.  This is wholesome living and part of character development.  We know that many of our Service members, Veterans and their Families can empathize by sharing the experience of being at rock bottom financially; and by hearing the gospel their lives can change for the best.

So we hope you can join us on January 29th to hear more about this part of our ministry and more.  God bless.

Uniform in Christ

Security through Christ

We all long for security.  The security that people without faith typically long for is temporal through cars, homes, careers, and just things in general.  For a long time I searched for security through these things just like a lost pup looking for a home.  Thankfully in my journey of seeking I was able to find the permanent security found through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The relevance of this for Uniform in Christ comes from the fact that we have a lot of military families in Montana, and families coming to Montana every day, with the same seeking that I experienced ten years ago.  And almost every day there is a call that comes in for people seeking something.  It is ALWAYS an opportunity to help them find what it is they are looking for, but more importantly it is also ALWAYS an opportunity to build a relationship with them and to be a vehicle for the Holy Spirit to work and to help lead someone to Christ.

It is our ministry's mission to manage crisis and to continue being available as a network across the state to handle these phone calls from military families looking to navigate support services.  Currently the network is informal and based on acquaintances in the Christian community.  Montana is not an easy state to navigate services, especially outside of the Church, which is where the majority of the calls originate from.   While the relationships built and the assistance being provided through activities like Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University course is quintessential, there are bigger things in store for Uniform in Christ.  We are encouraged by the call to build this statewide network of Christian-based support and know that it is not one individual or organization that can own responsibility for mitigating a suicide epidemic among Veterans and military in Montana.  But building a Christian network can unquestionably work together to address the suicide problem that Montana is infamous for.  This is what Uniform in Christ is called to do: help build and educate a Christian network (pastoral and laymen), and most importantly mobilize this network to be THE resource that provides the security that Jesus promised to his apostles prior to being our sacrifice.  By Uniform in Christ fulfilling its mission and bringing light to all things military culture related, we have the ability to help families who are searching for support find much more than just support--by helping them find the security that we share as Christians.

In upcoming blogs we are going to be sharing with you some ways that you can get involved in this mission in 2016.  We hope and anticipate that it will give you enough time to make the necessary plans to join us.  Thank you for your time and continued prayers for this ministry.

Blessed with Reason,
Uniform in Christ

Navigating through the Storm-Part Two

In order for us to be resilient as Christians it is important for us to pray for God to reveal to us where it is he wants us.  If we are unsure about where we are wanted and optimally able to serve, when we run into a storm our propensity to bounce back is weakened.  Once He has revealed his will there is a validation that should take place.  So whether someone has lost touch with their purpose (call), has been separated from their call (like those in the military often experience), or simply does not have the maturity or experience to recognize their personal call it is important to determine how to either connect or reconnect with it.

As the last several months have really tested me professionally, purpose itself has never been lost, but instead impatience has riddled me like an immature school-aged child.  In this there is something that I recall from several years ago that has specifically confirmed the path that my spiritual life has taken.  I remember a distinct conversation with my father-in-law prior to being married that challenged what it was I wanted to do with my life.  Granted, it was prior to being married to his daughter, and just shortly after I had returned home from my deployment to Iraq, so it was not really a point in my life that I was concerned about my future, I was just glad to be home and actually have a future.  Now looking back, it was probably one of the most influential questions someone had ever asked me, and it is genuinely appreciated still to this day because it validates the direction my life has taken.  The question makes me regularly consider the breadth of the charted path I am on, which is very humbling.

Another important piece of performing for God is maximizing our efficiency by being in a position to be used based on our spiritual gifts.  This is also a part of our validation in being in the right place when it comes to service.  Not all who are called are destined to be in the pulpit or in the overseas mission field.  Having taken a spiritual gifts assessment multiple times and receiving the same results that align with my professional work, it leaves little doubt where the biggest spiritual impact can be made.   This is perhaps the biggest reason there is incredible personal fulfillment when someone calls for guidance with resources or support for Service members or Veterans and are satisfied with the assistance received.  It is even more rewarding when Christ is represented through Uniform in Christ and we are able to influence others positively with service, spiritual assessment and Christian mentoring.  A part of my call that has distinctly been identified through this spiritual gifts inventory is Christian life coaching (a Uniform in Christ focal point) with Exhortation, Mercy and Leadership. 

To be confident that you are maximizing the distribution of your service and spiritual gifts, it is recommended that a spiritual gifts inventory is taken.   We recommend one that aligns with Romans 12:6-8, as Paul discusses the gift given to us by the Spirit but also discover what each spiritual gift represents to help recognize them in others.  On this journey of discovering where you best fit in to service in the church, we want to make sure you are aware that Uniform in Christ would benefit tremendously with your presence and spiritual gifts in our ministry as we seek to shape hearts towards Christ in Montana.  In short, it is important that we do some reflection on placement to fulfill our obligation for Christ.  We should literally feel like our day-to-day contribution reflects God's call for our lives, and that where we serve in the church/community reflects our spiritual Holy Spirit given gifts. 

In advance of showing our thanks during this week of Thanksgiving, Uniform in Christ would like to make mention of the church that has given at great lengths to see this ministry grow.  We are very appreciative of Hannaford Street Bible Church in Helena for its continued generosity and its distinct focus on missions both here and abroad.  Advancing the gospel among Montana military families and Veterans remains our mission and could benefit with your prayer and financial support.   Please send us your comments, questions, or encouragement to uniforminchrist@gmail.com.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!


God Bless,
Ryan Luchau
Co-Founder, UIC

 

Navigating Through the Storm-Part One

It has been a while since Uniform in Christ has shared any news on our ministry.  In fact, it is a good opportunity to thank you all for reading this blog and hanging with us on a random basis, and for reading the other emails and request for support as we continue to offer our support to Montana Service members, Veterans, and their Families through Christian service.  Despite being silent through email for many months, we are still ministering in different ways, and as much as opportunities are presented, sometimes in moments that are not encouraged by the masses.   

There have been some adjustments for reasons we won't go into here with Uniform in Christ since we launched our ministry in January of 2014.  This time truly has been a period of waters testing.  As you know, the enemy will stake his claim any time the light of Jesus shines.  It does not go without saying that we have gone through some character testing.  For me personally, the last several months have been trying.  The challenges have not come from straying from our Lord.  Honestly, the answer as to why I have been going through a rough spot has not been clear until recently, which ended up being the motivation for this blog.  I have battled some uncertainty in my head as what I thought was destined to be the path I would be on for many years to come got delayed suddenly when a career change had to be made for financial purposes.  I have struggled trying to figure out why the path would be diverted when it was so abundantly clear the path that was being taken was the right path.  Isn't God just supposed to bring us through difficult times by placing us in greener pastures during them?  We all know that is a silly question because that is not how God works.  God will test us to the brink, develop us as we are needing to be developed, and release us to see our capacity and growth, not to mention to see how much we praise and trust in him as we navigate through the storm.  After a significant period of bumps, and perhaps bruises, things are now becoming clearer, and after hearing a message from my pastor this morning I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, with encouragement, as I realized why I have been "off" for quite some time.

Life is so full of ups and downs and how we respond to support our needs and our families' needs defines us.  How we respond to trials and in good times is also indicative of where we are as Christians in our walk.  Too many Christians forget about Christ when times are good, then wonder where he is as life gets difficult.  This is something that I have considered myself relatively mature at since committing to living as a Christian several years ago.  But just as we think we have things figured out, a wrench is tossed into the mix and we suddenly realize we are not as mature as we believe.

What occurred to me today was that I have had sort of a perfect storm going on in my life.  I have had increased stress with several significant changes, leading to a personal rut that has been difficult getting out of; but also a void in my heart because for a good part of the last year Uniform in Christ has not been as active in service as what it was in 2014.  Literally, as I have contemplated a new year and new service opportunities with Uniform in Christ, I could feel my soul get filled with energy.  The Uniform in Christ ministry was a call that I received in 2009 as a Chaplain Candidate, with Christ-filled energy bringing more joy to my heart than quite possibly I have ever had up until the beginning of this year.   Service and ministry has the power to do this more than anything in life.  The emptiness starting this year has been debilitating due to the fact that I have not been able to truly live in this call.  It is one thing to have additional stress in life due to career change, finances, kids, etc; but when you have added stress and the inability to engage in a calling from God, it truly feels like your world has been turned upside down.  When you have something so incredibly close but lack the ability to engage with it there is an insecurity present that can only be replaced through action--action through service and mobilization.  I take great comfort in knowing that Uniform in Christ will once again be active in the community in 2016, and that out of this storm the ministry will be that much stronger--just as God intends.  In the coming weeks we will share with you the ministry opportunities in UIC and sincerely hope and pray that you join us as we re-embark on this rewarding journey.  Rest in Psalm 127:25, 28.




Blessings,
Ryan Luchau
Founder, UIC

Uniform in Christ always invites our peers to pray, volunteer, and financially support our mission of taking care of the spiritual needs of Montana Service members, Veterans, and Families in Christ's name.  Please send us your comments, questions, or encouragement to uniforminchrist@gmail.com .