“When I returned from Iraq in 2008, I suddenly realized I was a part of a rare community. I also realized the great bond that veterans had with each other. It didn’t matter where they served, the fact they served was ultimately enough to build rapport and to enter a room with credibility. As a new Army Reserve chaplain, I realized that the combat patch I wore on my right arm would open doors with people I never met before.
I also realized that the connection that Soldiers had with a chaplain and with God in deployment was not easily replicated back home. Soldiers who would visit with a chaplain may struggle talking with a counselor or local church when they returned home.”
Worship
Veterans For Worship reconnects our veterans with chaplains like they once did during deployment, like they once did during their military service. In most cases, they will connect with a Veterans For Worship chaplain that knows their military language, that knows the struggles of balancing family with the military. Our hope is to reconnect veterans to their veteran community, honor their service, while also reconnecting them to God.
Outreach
Military families are like other families in many ways. They struggle with finances, housing, schools, sports, and homework. But military families balance these challenges with re-locations, with deployments, and with separation from mom and/or dad. Kids routinely leave friends and may even hear that mom or dad won’t be returning home from deployment. Divorce is another casualty of military life. All of these things bring a constant diet of change, instability, and uncertainty.
Veterans For Worship connects with veterans and their families, letting them know that they are not alone in their struggles. We listen, we pray, and we refer them to other resources, if necessary. We also support veteran and military families during weddings, graveside services, and memorials. Additionally, we visit convalescent homes and perform last rites.
Network
Veterans For Worship is an organization that reaches veterans in our community, in churches, and at veteran groups. We connect with veterans and their families during chapel events at churches and VFW posts, in the community, and at veteran-focused events.
Our veteran communities need support, and they need someone to listen. We are called to serve and pray for people in our veteran community. Many struggle with homelessness, finances, addiction, and mobility issues.
However, no matter what they face, we see this community; we see their victories; we see their value, and we see their ability and strength to reach other veterans who are struggling, too.
