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!