On His Majesty's Service

What help is there for Christians in the forces and how can the gospel be communicated?

162 years ago God raised up a man with a vision to minister the gospel to those in the Army.

His surname was Rudd, and he was a sergeant based at the Woolwich garrison. He put up a notice for those who were in cells, to the effect that men could obtain a copy of the Bible from him. Later, authorisation was given for Bibles to be presented to all serving men at taxpayers' expense. Sgt. Rudd then discovered that many of the men were illiterate. How would they understand? The answer was to visit the men and read the Scriptures to them. Thus started the chain of events that resulted in a gospel ministry among the Forces that has been maintained for 162 years. He did not set out to establish an organisation, but to present the gospel to men of his generation. What great ripples developed from that concern. What good may yet come when we obey God in evangelism.

Today's task

What of the ministry today? The association has 31 workers, 13 full-time, the remainder part-time. The work is recognised by the Ministry of Defence. We minister alongside the chaplains' department to bring God's good news.

What of the opportunities? One Scripture Reader, Walter Clarke, encountered eight young men in a northern Army barracks. He shared with them his experience of D-Day. Just before the landing, a colleague had asked: 'Walter, if I die, what must I do now to be sure of heaven?' Walter replied in the words of John 3.16 and elaborated briefly. His colleague thanked him and returned to his position in the landing craft. The colleague never made it up the beach. The eyes of the lads being addressed, blinked, aware that with the Balkans, etc. their lives could be in similar danger. Walter continued: 'In 1994 I was across in France for the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landing. After the various services, I located the cemetery, then the grave of the man who had asked that question so long ago. I stood looking at the grave, then the headstone, then raised my head to the skies and cried: 'Oh, will I meet you in heaven?'. The lads took the point. Here was a man who asked the right question, and received the right answer, but only eternity will reveal if he had acted upon it. We pray that he did.

Prayer answered

On one occasion while visiting an Army garrison I met a corporal. This was his story. Some 18 months previously he had been a godless young man. A crisis hit his young family. His only child became seriously ill. In desperation this corporal 'prayed to the man upstairs'. To his amazement his son began to recover. The corporal became a little less cynical of Christianity.

Fijians

He was then placed in charge of some Fijian recruits. Here were men of good physique, a number were married, all were thousands of miles from home. Yet they were not sleeping around, nor getting drunk, nor cursing or blaspheming. The corporal was intrigued.

When the Scripture Reader visited these Fijians they were asking for impromptu Bible studies. Curiosity deepened. Objections were raised by the corporal: 'The Bible is unreliable, contradicts itself', etc. These were answered. After a period of some six months and following a day of exercises with the Fijians, the corporal turned to one, and said: 'How can I become a Christian?' The Fijian had the joy of pointing him to the Lord.

Some days later the corporal met the Scripture Reader. Rejoicing together, the Reader nevertheless said: 'You will find it hard as your colleagues now test you.'

Some weeks later, when meeting again, the corporal said: 'You told me it would be hard, yet I did not think it would be this hard!' An honest statement and a reminder to pray for those who have committed themselves to Christ while in the armed forces.

Women too

We have three Lady Scripture Readers, one of whom has taken part in the Nijmegen march in the Netherlands. This is a 100-mile march over four days and attracts over 42,000 people. The Scripture Reader has done this for the past 21 years and has become something of a feature as she hands out 'kojak' style lollipops on the basis that tracts are taken too!

Our Scripture Readers are given opportunities to conduct 'padres hour', to visit the men in their place of work, to be a listening ear as men pour out their deep anxieties, problems and concerns. The work is exacting and exhausting. Imagine working the tables in a NAAFI bar among the alcohol and smoke with a cabaret drowning out your words. There is usually a work among the children through a weekly Bible Club as well as the mid-week Bible study and nurture of believers.

At this time there is a great need for more workers. A military background is essential. Please pray for the success of the work. Any enquiries can be made to the Headquarters at Havelock House, Barrack Road, Aldershot, Hants. GU11 3NP.

Steve Carter,
Northern Area Representative

© Evangelicals Now - September 2000
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