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