Breaking Christian News

Supplying Our Troops in Iraq with the Most Powerful Weapon-"The Sword of the Spirit"

David Sandford / Aimee Herd reporting : May 27, 2005
ASSIST News Service

"Roadside bombs, suicide bombers, and mortar attacks can't hold back the spread of God's Word," says a report from ASSIST News Service on a special project of shipping Bibles to troops fighting on the frontlines in Iraq.

Brad Blauser, who went to Iraq as a civilian, working with a Chaplain there, has a ministry to the troops supplying Zondervan's Starting Point Study Bibles to new Christians. When Blauser began a class for soldiers who had recently come to the Lord, he realized he was missing a very important element; Bibles.

After sending out a request for the Scriptures over the internet to his friends and family in Texas, he received a great response. From a children's Sunday School class to small group studies to churches adding the request to their missions focus,' people began to get involved. "Please don't feel obligated," says Blauser, "But if you want a great way to support the troops, this could be one way to do that. We (Chaplain Tim & I) need people to sponsor Study Bibles for one or more of the new Christ followers so they will have some good tools to grow in their faith. We'll be using the Starting Point Study Bible." [from Zondervan.]

Brad Blauser posted the following testimony on a discussion board, describing the impact these Bibles can have: "It arrived on Friday, I took it with me on Friday night to the showing of "The Passion of The Christ" at the Chapel, a special event held in reverence of Good Friday.

I didn't have anyone specific to give it to yet, since the new Christians class I'm organizing has been postponed for a few weeks due to a delay in the military's advertising. I held the box the Bible was shipped in throughout the movie, and handed it to the Chaplain after the movie. We have a number of soldiers in the Stryker battalion here who have surrendered their lives to Christ in the last 5-6 days, so I know the Chaplain could direct it to one of these soldiers so it could be put to good use.

Little did I know, the soldier at the end of my row had become a Christ follower just last Wednesday, 23 Mar 05. He wept openly throughout The Passion (as did many) and stayed in his chair weeping even as everyone else filed out of the Chapel quietly, as he was impacted very deeply. After speaking with the Chaplain, I learned this soldier has been a Buddhist, but after hearing the gospel has committed his life to follow Jesus Christ.

Your Bible was given to this soldier. His name is Jason, he's from Naples, Florida. He's a Sergeant in one of the Stryker Brigades. I spoke with him this morning at the Easter Sunrise service at the Monastery here on base, and he was extremely grateful to you for the Bible. I hope you don't mind, but I did give him your address...he has already sent you a hand written letter of appreciation for supplying him with his first Bible. The Chaplain has worked with Jason for a while now, and says that your "Starting Point Bible" will have a great impact on his life.

If you are interested in purchasing then donating a Starting Point Bible to Brad Blauser's ministry to the troops, email him at: bblauser@gmail.com The Starting Point Bible can be purchased through The Well Bookstore, just follow the link below.