LCMS World Mission Blog

Veteran’s Day is Nov. 11 and provides a perfect opportunity to reach out to those who have served in our nation’s military. This day of remembrance and thanks is a great opportunity to encourage a veteran who is brother or sister in Christ. It could also provide a bridge for sharing faith in Jesus with an unbelieving friend or family member who is a veteran.

Operation Barnabas, a program of LCMS World Mission’s Ministry to the Armed Forces, specializes in equipping congregations to reach out to veterans in their communities and to support LCMS reserve chaplains who are returning to parish pastor roles. If your congregation would like to learn more about reaching out to veterans and their families with Christ’s healing love, consider attending a district Operation Barnabas training workshop. Upcoming workshops include: Living Water Lutheran Church, Sanford, Fla., Nov. 14; Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nov. 21; and Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, Texas, Jan. 16.

Has your congregation organized a special outreach or thank you to men and women who have served in the United States military? Have you promoted Veteran’s Day in another special way through your congregation? Please share your experiences and ideas with LCMS World Mission at mission.info@lcms.org.

Learn more:

• Follow the latest news from Operation Barnabas at http://barnabas.lcmsworldmission.org.

• Read an article from the November 2009 issue of the Lutheran Witness about a reserve chaplain’s family that has been touched by the ministry of Operation Barnabas.

• Contact Rev. Mike Moreno, director of Operation Barnabas, at michael.moreno@lcms.org to learn more about how your congregation can be involved.