Missouri soldiers enlisting in army of the lord

Our military deserve the utmost respect -- for all they do, for the price they pay, for the sacrifice they make. Yes, they sacrifice so much for us, so it is exciting to hear how many lives of troops in Missouri are being transformed by the sacrifice that was made for them.

Last week, a U.S. chaplain discussed a "revival" that has broken out on a Missouri military base. Chaplain Jose M. Rondon, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, said that almost 2,000 troops have given their lives to Jesus during the last six months, accepting the salvation secured by His sacrifice for them on the cross. This includes days where hundreds came to the Savior.

"Since March 11, 2018, we have seen 1,839 soldiers coming to Christ. God's doing an unbelievable work through our military at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. May God bring the same powerful conviction of sin and love for Him that we are experiencing at Main Post Chapel all throughout our Nation and His world," Rondon wrote on social media.

Some people think we live in a time when people are not interested in the Gospel, not interested in developing a relationship with God, not interested in church. Not so. What people are not interested in is hypocrisy or something without power, something dead. People are interested in truth, in transformation, in life. They need it. And they are hungry for something real. Those who know Christ have what the world is looking for.

Soldiers are no exception. And this revival reveals that. But what's the key? The key is that they, like everyone else, must hear the truth -- which means we who have that truth must be intentional in sharing it.

"To be intentional is to be faithful to Christ and obedient to His Great Commission," Rondon said, adding, "To be intentional not only means to preach Christ's Word in the chapel, but to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit to share His message of reconciliation if, and when, the time fits," as reported by Faith Wire.

When we get out of our comfort zones and do what we have been commissioned to do, God does the rest, and God is doing it in the lives of these men and women, who are responding with open hearts.

This is beautiful. As brave as our troops are, these men and women are still children of God. His desire is to sweep them up in His arms, nurture them and protect them. They are used to doing the sweeping up, nurturing and protecting; they are now learning they can receive what they have been giving -- and it has eternal rewards.

Private Havens shared how his life has been transformed by accepting Christ. "I used to have a lot of anger in me," he confessed. "I held grudges against people that have done wrongs against me. And I came here, and I realize that the Lord has forgiven me for my sins and I realize that I needed to do the same to others." Now, he said, he feels "a thousand pounds lighter."

This is one testimony of many. I'm sure each of the nearly 2,000 has a story of what placing faith in Christ has done for them. As those who know Christ are intentional in sharing Him with those around them, the response will continue to be overwhelming. That's how God works -- and it's not just among the military. It works everywhere, not just at Fort Leonard Wood. We share. God draws to Himself.

As for the troops, Rondo is asking that we pray for them. His desire is to see this continued move of the Spirit among our military.

As we pray for God's safety over them as they fight our battles, let's also pray that more will come to Him, and let's pray for strength for those who made the most important decision they could ever make -- to enlist to become soldiers of Christ where the battle has already been fought and the victory won -- by Christ Himself.

Adrienne Ross is owner of Adrienne Ross Communications and a former Southeast Missourian editorial board member. Contact her at aross@semissourian.com.