Stuttgart is located near the Southwest end of Germany and is the cultural and political capital of the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The city has some 600,000 people or more than 1.5 million, if including the adjoining suburbs. Stuttgart is a very industrialized area and listed as one the five highest cost of living areas in Germany. Stuttgart is known for being the home of Mercedes and Porsche Cars and many other leading companies around the world. It could be described as an "Executives Haven." Stuttgart is home also to The United States European Command and the newly formed Africom Command. The area governs all of our NATO military activity all over Europe and Africa. The community is also home to many high official government workers outside of the military. This military community is known for being very brass heavy, as it is an officer filled area with the average rank being Lt. Colonel and above. Stuttgart also is home to some units of our Special Forces and Military Police. The area is home to our Army, Navy, Air force and Marines as a Joint Command.
The Pierces, who have been serving with the BIMI Military Ministry overseas since 1998, felt led to establish a local Independent Baptist Church near this very needy area of Germany with our military and English speaking population of Germany. The church started meeting in September of 2007 and chartered in January of 2008. The Lord is using this ministry to reach the lost and provide a church away from home for this area. The Lord has allowed the Pierces to see people saved, baptized and renew their fellowship with the Lord, serving in a local church this past year.
The church has been meeting in the Marriott Hotel for the past year and desires and needs to be in a more permanent place of worship for the upcoming years of this ministry for this very needy area of our military heroes. Please pray for the Pierces.
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I just felt the need to sit down and say some thing. I guess It's my way to comfort myself, to reflect, to get a fresh perspective.
It's hard being a soldier's mom for many reasons. I have to admit, I could think of a different reason every minute of the day. When I'm tired at the end of day, I tell myself I can now escape from my mind. I say a prayer for my boy and fall asleep, only to wake in the middle of the night with one more reason.
Being a soldier's mom for me is many things. It's a privilege, a sense of pride and honor. It's my heart taking the chance to be crushed. It's my fears that sometimes bring me to my knees. It's the unknown that haunts me in my sleep. It's my soul that is saddened every time I hear of causalities. It's the air I can't sometimes breath, hoping it's not me who gets a knock on my door. It's the heartache for the other mothers who have lost children. It's also my road, back to my faith.
I was raised to be a proud American. I was raised to honor those serving. I was raised by an American Veteteran. My father spoke proudly of his World War II stories. He fought to make this a better world for us. He told me of his achievements. He told me of his hard times. He proudly wore his scars as a badge of honor. Some times I could hear him in the middle of the night screaming, "I've been shot." I'd hear the horror in his voice which confirmed for me that my Daddy was a true Hero. He survived a place called "Hell." It was the year 1991. This road I was about to turn on would also be the same road I'm on now 18 years later. The road was called "The Gulf War." I stand in front of the TV and watch war for the first time. I stand there in disbelief holding my 3 year old son. I was heartsick about what the world had become. I was even thankful that my son was so young. But as I stood there with him, I knew one day that he would be defending our country. For the first time I understood the meaning of war. As I watched the videos that ran on the TV, I could hear my dad telling his stories that were their stories.
Nothing ever really prepares you for the rollercoaster ride of being a soldier's mom. It's spiritually trying and emotionally draining. Even when your child gives you a year's head's up, the thought of his leaving is scary; you know they're going to sign up (as my son did).
I remember the night before he left for boot training. Needless to say I couldn't sleep knowing that in the morning our life as a family was going to forever change. As I puttered around the house while everyone was asleep. I reflected on how fast a child grows up. It seemed like I still should have had more time with my son. I stumbled on a few things he had forgotten to pack; I grabbed his backpack to put his things in it. The moment I picked up that backpack, I had a flashback to the time I was packing his stuff in his Spiderman book bag and his heading off to kindergarten for the first day. Wow! Talk about being left breathless.
Well I'm sure I'm not so very different from other moms seeing their child leave for the military. I was a bit of a wreck I'll have to admit. But I put on a brave front and hugged him goodbye. I knew that I wouldn't have to worry for at least the next year; deployment seemed a world away. However, it sure was hard to adjust. I found out that sleep isn't so easy to come by when I don't have all my "pups" at home with me. I learned that time with a person is sometimes taken for granted.
The first visit home was a split feeling. A two week leave is not that long. The first week was just living in the moment. The second week was trying to live in the moment but dreading the time when my son would leave again; the emotion was almost too hard to bear. It was even harder for me as a mother to say good bye to my son again especially knowing his one year of "safe" time was over. But again, I tried to put on that badge of bravery. I hugged him goodbye. Once again, our family was going to forever change. But all and all it was all right. We still had contact almost on a daily basis. He didn't seem so far away from home.
He came home in July on leave before deployment to Afghanistan. During this two week visit I couldn't live in the moment. All I heard was a ticking of a clock. I was overwhelmed with emotions, so proud of the man he'd become but so afraid of losing him. There was no badge of bravery for me this time around.
It is hard hugging your child goodbye, not knowing if your child will ever hug you again, not knowing if there will be any more daily hellos over the phone. Now it's just sleepless nights, constantly wondering if he's ok.
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It's hard being a soldier's mom for many reasons. I have to admit, I could think of a different reason every minute of the day. When I'm tired at the end of day, I tell myself I can now escape from my mind. I say a prayer for my boy and fall asleep, only to wake in the middle of the night with one more reason.
Being a soldier's mom for me is many things. It's a privilege, a sense of pride and honor. It's my heart taking the chance to be crushed. It's my fears that sometimes bring me to my knees. It's the unknown that haunts me in my sleep. It's my soul that is saddened every time I hear of causalities. It's the air I can't sometimes breath, hoping it's not me who gets a knock on my door. It's the heartache for the other mothers who have lost children. It's also my road, back to my faith.
I was raised to be a proud American. I was raised to honor those serving. I was raised by an American Veteteran. My father spoke proudly of his World War II stories. He fought to make this a better world for us. He told me of his achievements. He told me of his hard times. He proudly wore his scars as a badge of honor. Some times I could hear him in the middle of the night screaming, "I've been shot." I'd hear the horror in his voice which confirmed for me that my Daddy was a true Hero. He survived a place called "Hell." It was the year 1991. This road I was about to turn on would also be the same road I'm on now 18 years later. The road was called "The Gulf War." I stand in front of the TV and watch war for the first time. I stand there in disbelief holding my 3 year old son. I was heartsick about what the world had become. I was even thankful that my son was so young. But as I stood there with him, I knew one day that he would be defending our country. For the first time I understood the meaning of war. As I watched the videos that ran on the TV, I could hear my dad telling his stories that were their stories.
Nothing ever really prepares you for the rollercoaster ride of being a soldier's mom. It's spiritually trying and emotionally draining. Even when your child gives you a year's head's up, the thought of his leaving is scary; you know they're going to sign up (as my son did).
I remember the night before he left for boot training. Needless to say I couldn't sleep knowing that in the morning our life as a family was going to forever change. As I puttered around the house while everyone was asleep. I reflected on how fast a child grows up. It seemed like I still should have had more time with my son. I stumbled on a few things he had forgotten to pack; I grabbed his backpack to put his things in it. The moment I picked up that backpack, I had a flashback to the time I was packing his stuff in his Spiderman book bag and his heading off to kindergarten for the first day. Wow! Talk about being left breathless.
Well I'm sure I'm not so very different from other moms seeing their child leave for the military. I was a bit of a wreck I'll have to admit. But I put on a brave front and hugged him goodbye. I knew that I wouldn't have to worry for at least the next year; deployment seemed a world away. However, it sure was hard to adjust. I found out that sleep isn't so easy to come by when I don't have all my "pups" at home with me. I learned that time with a person is sometimes taken for granted.
The first visit home was a split feeling. A two week leave is not that long. The first week was just living in the moment. The second week was trying to live in the moment but dreading the time when my son would leave again; the emotion was almost too hard to bear. It was even harder for me as a mother to say good bye to my son again especially knowing his one year of "safe" time was over. But again, I tried to put on that badge of bravery. I hugged him goodbye. Once again, our family was going to forever change. But all and all it was all right. We still had contact almost on a daily basis. He didn't seem so far away from home.
He came home in July on leave before deployment to Afghanistan. During this two week visit I couldn't live in the moment. All I heard was a ticking of a clock. I was overwhelmed with emotions, so proud of the man he'd become but so afraid of losing him. There was no badge of bravery for me this time around.
It is hard hugging your child goodbye, not knowing if your child will ever hug you again, not knowing if there will be any more daily hellos over the phone. Now it's just sleepless nights, constantly wondering if he's ok.
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The European field conference this year will be held June 15-19 in Schweinfurt, Germany. Pastor Roy Smith and the Liberty Baptist Church will host the conference. BIMI military missionaries from over Europe are planning to attend. Please pray for this meeting that it will be an encouragement to the missionaries.
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Dr. Jim Kennard, Director, Military Missions. Dr. Kennard requests that all military churches promote full-time Christian service among the military members. He states the dire need of these workers since so many of BIMI missionaries are nearing the age of retirement.
Dr. Jeff Alverson, Assistant Director. Dr. Alverson recently returned from Europe where he preached in several military churches. He presented the Faith Promise plan in three of those churches with good results.
The Chuck Sligh Family, Germany. He states that many of his soldiers have recently returned from Iraq and he is enjoying preaching to a full house. His son, Allen, is looking into the possibility of becoming a foreign missionary. Please remember him in your prayers.
The Nutt Family, Okinawa. Brother Nutt reports that several have been saved so far this year. Their financial support has diminished due to the weak U.S. dollar devaluation recently. Please pray for this family. The Monteith Family has now arrived to be a part of the ministry at Maranatha.
The Tom Lancaster Family, Germany. They report the renovation of their church facility is going well and that this project will be completed soon. Then they will be able to house other missionary families for their Missionary conferences. They desperately need more funds to complete the project.
The Monteith Family, presently in Northern Japan. Brother Monteith will be leaving Misawa Air Base and will be transferring to Okinawa, located in Southern Japan. There he will have the opportunity to reach four to five times more people due to more bases in that location. The Monteiths request your prayers for their new work.
The Pierce Family, Germany. They had several saved and baptized last year and are praying for many more this year. They desperately need a building for their church. Pray with them regarding this matter.
The Smith Family, Germany. They request your constant prayers, that they might have many more saved this new year of 2009. They recently visited in Post housing with good results. Please pray their church will grow spiritually, as well as, in number.
The Passaro Family, Germany. They request your prayers for their new church just started in Germany. This is a new military church at Bamburg, Germany. They need about 30% more support to complete their deputation.
The War Family, Jacksonville Naval Station, Florida. They have been very busy lately visiting in the vicinity of the large Naval Station and have made several good contacts. Please pray for this new church and its growth.
The Sage Family, Japan. They are continuing their outstanding work at the large Naval base at Yokosuko, Japan. They have won and baptized many people since moving to Japan from Puerto Rico. The church has grown tremendously since their arrival. As in all military churches, rotation has hit them hard.
The Wharton Family, Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware. This family is busy working to get military families saved and into the church. They request your constant prayer for this new church at Dover.
The Craft Family, Germany. They report that they have had several saved and baptized during this reporting period. A new man, Chris Giles, trained at the West Coast Baptist College, has been quite useful for the Lord's work since joining the church.
The Bonds Family, Texas. Work on the church building is going well. It is a completely new church to the group, but the building needs much work and it will be accomplished as the funds come in. Meanwhile, the church people keep busy winning and baptizing souls for His harvest.
The Olsen Family, Italy. The church people are very busy witnessing and inviting folks to visit their church. Their request is for the attendance to be steadfast while they are taking a furlough in 2009. Please pray for them.
The Osborn Family, Guam. The Lord is continuing His blessings on their work there in Guam. Soon 8,000 marines will be moving to Guam from Okinawa. Please pray that the Osborns will be able to get a house that will be large enough to be used as a church building also.
The Hornbeck Family, Germany. John is busy in various ministries in which Rhein River Baptist church is involved. He is especially asking prayer for the ministry at the confinement center.
The Simensen Family, Germany. Their church recently hosted the Ladies Seminar at Reinland Baptist church in Landstuhl, Germany. Brother Simensen states that "it was thrilling see so many come and receive God's blessings."
The Ingram Family, Fort Benning, Georgia. Brother Ingram and his wife are doing a great job at that large Army post. Brother Ingram reports there were 190 soldiers that attended his Bible studies and that 36 made professions of faith.
Ernie Fritz, USA. Ernie is available to show the new film in churches about the Military Ministry at BIMI. If you desire this film to be shown at your church, please contact Brother Ernie at BIMI or schedule it through one of the missionaries or directors of the Military Ministry.
Danny Corprew Family, Japan. They are praising the Lord for using them these three months they have been on the field in Yokota, Japan.
Steve Kissling Family, Germany. They are enjoying the work at Grace Baptist Church in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Many of the military families are separated because of the war and they have been working with many of these.
Chuck Truitt Family, Germany. Chuck is doing much better after his accident last August. They had a wonderful missions conference at Berean in February.
Chris Parker Family, Japan. They are enjoying the ministry at Faith Baptist Church, Iwakuori, Japan. They had a great missions conference in February.
Jessie Pilalas Family, Japan. They are finishing up their work in Okinawa, Japan, and will be attending Candidate School at BIMI in June.
Kevin Byers Family, Germany. They are winding down their deputation ministry and heading to Bitburg, Germany, May 6. Pray that all of their needs will be met.
Rusty Pilalas Family, Germany. Rusty and Karen are enjoying working with the good folks at Baptist Church in Heidelberg, Germany. All three children are greatly involved in the work and love it.
Mark Lancaster Family, Germany. Mark is overseeing the new church in Bamberg, Germany, which was started in September 2008. They are praising the Lord that the small church took on its first two missionaries.
Stan Lane Family, Florida. Stan and Charlene are faithfully laboring among the 17,000 sailors stationed at Mayport Naval Station near Jacksonville, Florida.
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Dr. Jeff Alverson, Assistant Director. Dr. Alverson recently returned from Europe where he preached in several military churches. He presented the Faith Promise plan in three of those churches with good results.
The Chuck Sligh Family, Germany. He states that many of his soldiers have recently returned from Iraq and he is enjoying preaching to a full house. His son, Allen, is looking into the possibility of becoming a foreign missionary. Please remember him in your prayers.
The Nutt Family, Okinawa. Brother Nutt reports that several have been saved so far this year. Their financial support has diminished due to the weak U.S. dollar devaluation recently. Please pray for this family. The Monteith Family has now arrived to be a part of the ministry at Maranatha.
The Tom Lancaster Family, Germany. They report the renovation of their church facility is going well and that this project will be completed soon. Then they will be able to house other missionary families for their Missionary conferences. They desperately need more funds to complete the project.
The Monteith Family, presently in Northern Japan. Brother Monteith will be leaving Misawa Air Base and will be transferring to Okinawa, located in Southern Japan. There he will have the opportunity to reach four to five times more people due to more bases in that location. The Monteiths request your prayers for their new work.
The Pierce Family, Germany. They had several saved and baptized last year and are praying for many more this year. They desperately need a building for their church. Pray with them regarding this matter.
The Smith Family, Germany. They request your constant prayers, that they might have many more saved this new year of 2009. They recently visited in Post housing with good results. Please pray their church will grow spiritually, as well as, in number.
The Passaro Family, Germany. They request your prayers for their new church just started in Germany. This is a new military church at Bamburg, Germany. They need about 30% more support to complete their deputation.
The War Family, Jacksonville Naval Station, Florida. They have been very busy lately visiting in the vicinity of the large Naval Station and have made several good contacts. Please pray for this new church and its growth.
The Sage Family, Japan. They are continuing their outstanding work at the large Naval base at Yokosuko, Japan. They have won and baptized many people since moving to Japan from Puerto Rico. The church has grown tremendously since their arrival. As in all military churches, rotation has hit them hard.
The Wharton Family, Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Delaware. This family is busy working to get military families saved and into the church. They request your constant prayer for this new church at Dover.
The Craft Family, Germany. They report that they have had several saved and baptized during this reporting period. A new man, Chris Giles, trained at the West Coast Baptist College, has been quite useful for the Lord's work since joining the church.
The Bonds Family, Texas. Work on the church building is going well. It is a completely new church to the group, but the building needs much work and it will be accomplished as the funds come in. Meanwhile, the church people keep busy winning and baptizing souls for His harvest.
The Olsen Family, Italy. The church people are very busy witnessing and inviting folks to visit their church. Their request is for the attendance to be steadfast while they are taking a furlough in 2009. Please pray for them.
The Osborn Family, Guam. The Lord is continuing His blessings on their work there in Guam. Soon 8,000 marines will be moving to Guam from Okinawa. Please pray that the Osborns will be able to get a house that will be large enough to be used as a church building also.
The Hornbeck Family, Germany. John is busy in various ministries in which Rhein River Baptist church is involved. He is especially asking prayer for the ministry at the confinement center.
The Simensen Family, Germany. Their church recently hosted the Ladies Seminar at Reinland Baptist church in Landstuhl, Germany. Brother Simensen states that "it was thrilling see so many come and receive God's blessings."
The Ingram Family, Fort Benning, Georgia. Brother Ingram and his wife are doing a great job at that large Army post. Brother Ingram reports there were 190 soldiers that attended his Bible studies and that 36 made professions of faith.
Ernie Fritz, USA. Ernie is available to show the new film in churches about the Military Ministry at BIMI. If you desire this film to be shown at your church, please contact Brother Ernie at BIMI or schedule it through one of the missionaries or directors of the Military Ministry.
Danny Corprew Family, Japan. They are praising the Lord for using them these three months they have been on the field in Yokota, Japan.
Steve Kissling Family, Germany. They are enjoying the work at Grace Baptist Church in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Many of the military families are separated because of the war and they have been working with many of these.
Chuck Truitt Family, Germany. Chuck is doing much better after his accident last August. They had a wonderful missions conference at Berean in February.
Chris Parker Family, Japan. They are enjoying the ministry at Faith Baptist Church, Iwakuori, Japan. They had a great missions conference in February.
Jessie Pilalas Family, Japan. They are finishing up their work in Okinawa, Japan, and will be attending Candidate School at BIMI in June.
Kevin Byers Family, Germany. They are winding down their deputation ministry and heading to Bitburg, Germany, May 6. Pray that all of their needs will be met.
Rusty Pilalas Family, Germany. Rusty and Karen are enjoying working with the good folks at Baptist Church in Heidelberg, Germany. All three children are greatly involved in the work and love it.
Mark Lancaster Family, Germany. Mark is overseeing the new church in Bamberg, Germany, which was started in September 2008. They are praising the Lord that the small church took on its first two missionaries.
Stan Lane Family, Florida. Stan and Charlene are faithfully laboring among the 17,000 sailors stationed at Mayport Naval Station near Jacksonville, Florida.
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Missionaries of the Day
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Richard & Patty Comer - CENTRAL AMERICA
Brian & Jamie Cone - THAILAND
Richard & Elizabeth Conrad - JAPAN
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Richard & Patty Comer - CENTRAL AMERICA
Brian & Jamie Cone - THAILAND
Richard & Elizabeth Conrad - JAPAN
Military Director
Dr. James & Gail KennardRead more about the Kennards.
Email: Dr. James Kennard
He can be contacted through the BIMI office
(423) 344-5050.
Assistant Military Director
Jeff & Joyce AlversonRead more about the Alversons.
Email Jeff Alverson
He can be contacted through the BIMI office
(423) 344-5050.
