Vets Ministry

**23LRS** · 07-09-2008, 10:40 AM

For those of you who don't know, I am applying for the Army Guard Chaplain Candidate program. I am in the middle of getting all the pieces of my chaplain stuff together, and while I am whizzing around taking care of business, I beleive God has laid it on my heart to start an organization to minister to Vets. I have a tentative name, and I am going to keep praying on this but I really feel led that God wants me to do this. I believe a good way to take it is to reach out first to vets who re Christians to gain a base of members, and then then start an outreach to the unsaved ones. Also to do service at the VA and with homeless vets. (As a start). Do you think this sounds like a sound plan? I am contacting my church to see if they could give a little space to have meetings? If not I am thinking we could meet at coffee shops or something like that.

I feel like this a critical outreach because there are a ton of hurting vets out there!
Any input?

**Altimeter** · 07-09-2008, 11:14 AM

Dude, you have my support. I wish I had some advice to give you.

I guess you could start here: http://www.armyparatrooper.org/dropz...ad.php?t=13870

Seriously, I hope you succeed.

**23LRS** · 07-09-2008, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Itchee96

Dude, you have my support. I wish I had some advice to give you.

I guess you could start here: http://www.armyparatrooper.org/dropz...ad.php?t=13870

Seriously, I hope you succeed.

I honestly don't know how big this could get. I don't care if it is just me volunteering at the VA, but I am going to start it. I think it is a great way to get that brotherhood you had while on active duty. Serving with vet brothers in a whole new context.

**VoTrooper99** · 07-09-2008, 11:54 AM

I am contacting my church to see if they could give a little space to have meetings? If not I am thinking we could meet at coffee shops or something like that.

How about vet organization halls if the church doesn't work out? It's a little less public.

**23LRS** · 07-09-2008, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by VoTrooper99

How about vet organization halls if the church doesn't work out? It's a little less public.

Good idea!

**RockOut** · 07-09-2008, 07:56 PM

Are you a VFW or Legion member? Each post has it's own Chaplain, and it's an elected or appointed officer position, you don't have to be an actual chaplain to do it. I'm not familiar with the Army Guard program, but it sounds interesting.

Anyway, some posts have a better group than others, but if you're not a member, you should go check them out if you have them nearby.

I see you're in AZ, but not sure if you're near one of the bases out there. If you are, you might want to go talk to a few of the Chaplain's on post and get some input from them.

Finally, just for kicks, check out this blog http://www.davedice.com/ if you haven't seen it. It's by a young Paratrooper Chaplain assigned to the 82nd (319th RedLeg HOOAH!), who has a pretty cool point of view. Skip the first page, except maybe for Jump School, which he just completed, because there's too much rambling about random stuff.

**23LRS** · 07-10-2008, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by RockOut

Are you a VFW or Legion member? Each post has it's own Chaplain, and it's an elected or appointed officer position, you don't have to be an actual chaplain to do it. I'm not familiar with the Army Guard program, but it sounds interesting.

Anyway, some posts have a better group than others, but if you're not a member, you should go check them out if you have them nearby.

I see you're in AZ, but not sure if you're near one of the bases out there. If you are, you might want to go talk to a few of the Chaplain's on post and get some input from them.

Finally, just for kicks, check out this blog http://www.davedice.com/ if you haven't seen it. It's by a young Paratrooper Chaplain assigned to the 82nd (319th RedLeg HOOAH!), who has a pretty cool point of view. Skip the first page, except maybe for Jump School, which he just completed, because there's too much rambling about random stuff.

I am a member of the VFW, I am going to get in touch with my local to see if they can help out. As far as the Chaplain program goes, I am working with my local guard Chaplains so I am good to hook. I am working on the paper work now.

**RockOut** · 07-11-2008, 07:56 AM

I was a little tired when I typed that. What I meant to say is that, as far as your calling to create an organization to minister to service members, why not talk to your local VFW officers about your idea, as well as some active duty Chaplains. Good luck.

**testedone** · 07-11-2008, 03:51 PM

Here is organization that is out there. The reason I post this is maybe you could partner with something already out there that has a presence, this way you not have to re-invent the wheel..

You have my prayers for your endeavorers

http://www.militaryministry.org/

bg · 07-11-2008, 04:02 PM

Definitely research other orgs who might already be doing something similar. I'm pretty sure there's more than enough room for a newcommer, but testedone is right: there is probably a bounty of resources and experience you can benefit from while you're putting this together.

Godspeed, brother.

**Darksaga** · 07-11-2008, 04:28 PM

Make sure to identify your goals and backplan accordingly.

**23LRS** · 07-11-2008, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by RockOut

I was a little tired when I typed that. What I meant to say is that, as far as your calling to create an organization to minister to service members, why not talk to your local VFW officers about your idea, as well as some active duty Chaplains. Good luck.

Yepper, I am working those angles as we speak.

**23LRS** · 07-11-2008, 04:36 PM

You guys are definitely giving some solid advice, I appreciate it. My church has a really strong men's ministry and I contacted the pastor that runs it. He said it sound like a great idea and I am meeting with him next week.