The last few weeks have been filled with travel, construction, meetings and open doors.

Patty and I travelled to Alabama to visit Karl and Gladys Volz, who run our Center just outside of Fort Rucker in Daleville. We were overwhelmed by the work they have done there. The started the center in Daleville in 2000, after years of fruitful ministry in Aniston, AL at Fort McClellan. The 1,300 mile round trip was worth every mile and we consider ourselves blessed to call this wonderful couple our ministry partners.

 

Recently I have been able to have several meetings and make contact with many ministers and chaplains in the Jacksonville area. Chaplain Dwight at Camp Johnson and I had a three hour breakfast and tour of our facilities. We look forward to working with him to provide the very young Marines at Camp Johnson with wholesome alternatives to the “night life” that pervades in our town. Pray for us, the opportunity to help establish a new Bible study on the base is a real possibility. I also met Chaplain Brandon from MCAS New River at a local church and hope to connect with him in the next few weeks.

Last week I had my first opportunity to attend a preachers meeting since moving to Jacksonville and it was a blessing. A young pastor of a nearby church plant preached and the dozen pastors attending were very encouraging. I pray this turns into opportunities to present the ministry and gain some more ministry partners in our local area.

Also, though I cannot tell you too much right now, there is a real opportunity to help a ministry to Marines with PTSD. The fledgling ministry is out of a local church and attempts to help Marines cope with post combat stress through teaching them carpentry skills. I have a few projects at The Center that I know they could help us with. Wouldn’t it be awesome of God to allow two ministries reaching Marines to help each other out? They provide us with necessary repairs and upgrades, while we provide them with the opportunity to not just do carpentry, but do it for other Marines? Once we get all the details hammered out, I will be sure to update you and provide pictures!

My May Newsletter to our supporters detailed some needs we have at The Center for repairs and upgrades. I would like to share them with everyone who reads this blog and ask that if you can help, let us know. We want to provide not just a home away from home for Marines, but a top-notch, the best we can provide home! Our carpet is threadbare, we need new computers and software, especially for accounting, office productivity and graphics production. One of the ‘lesser’ requests is near and dear to my heart: fishing tackle. I believe much effective discipleship can be accomplished if I can provide tackle and gear to take the Marines on the base fishing on the weekends.

Here is the needs list:

NEW 12’ Dining Room Table –    $1,800

Computers and Software –           $5,000

Outside Shed for storage –          $2,000

New Carpet-                                     $1,500

Fishing Tackle/Rods/etc.-            $500

Dishwasher-                                     $600

Kitchen Counters/Cabinets-        $750

 

Any help you can provide is appreciated greatly. You can send it by check to:

Military Evangelism

P.O. Box 246

Jacksonville, NC 28541

 

Or you can click the “Donate” button at the top of our webpage (The link is in the sidebar- click our logo to go to our web page).

Finally, we have created an Amazon Smile account. If you use the link on our Facebook page (its in the sidebar too) or click here:  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-0988248  You can shop Amazon.com like you always do, without spending any more, and Amazon will give back to our Ministry .5% of your total purchase price. I know it’s not much, but if your shopping anyway… buy the stuff you would buy normally, and automatically add a little bit of support for Military Evangelism. How nice is that?

Thanks again for all you do in supporting Military Evangelism. Next week I’ll have some stories from one of our men who attended Fleet Week in NYC, and some pictures of recent events at The Center.

 

‘Till Jesus Returns,

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12…Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

I have entered the world of Podcasting with Field Notes. There are two reasons I decided to do the podcast. First, I am a Podcast junkie. I listen to several preachers podcasts, which are simply recorded Sunday Morning Sermons. I also listen to several  business, writing, and leadership podcasts.

For the last two weeks I have noticed one man, Jocko Willink, a retired Navy Seal in the feeds for several podcasts I listen to. Jocko was commander of SEAL Team Three’s Task Unit Bruiser during the Battle of Ramadi. I’ve heard him interviewed about three times, and I started listening to his own Podcast. He is using his experience in the SEALS to teach leadership concepts and I plan on reading his book Extreme Ownership soon. I’ll let you know what I think of it once I finish it.

One of the core concepts he talks about is “Cover and Move.” Jocko describes it like this:

“Our tactic, which we had trained for, practiced, and utilized, was a fundamental one we called ‘Cover and Move.’ Within our OP2 squad, we had four elements of smaller teams. One team covered, their weapons trained on threats, while the other team moved. Then those teams reversed roles. In this way, the teams leapfrogged in bounds, constantly utilizing Cover and Move to ensure we were prepared to fend off an attack as we maneuvered through the streets.”

When I heard him talk about this, I saw the analogy to Christian Service and Fellowship immediately, especially to the relationship between Missionary and Church members.

You and I are in this battle together. We are in the same unit. We have the same objective. Willink says the most important tactical advantage a military unit has is working together as a team, always supporting each other. The same is true in the church, and on the mission field.

Ecclesiastes 4 talks about team work. At first it’s about two people together. Then at the end the statement, “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” You and I are two cords, Jesus Christ is the Third. Together we can “cover and move.” Your protective fire of prayer and missions support allows me to move through enemy territory. My prayer support and movement for you allows you to also move forward in the work of God. We work together.

In your church it’s the same. You have a team in place. Each member of the team needs to be working as either cover or movement, and those roles change often. You cover your Pastor in prayer as he moves into enemy territory with the Gospel. Your pastor covers you in prayer as you move in the workplace, at home, at school, wherever a spiritual battle is present and the Gospel needs to be presented.

As your Missionary I ask that you always have my back. Cover me in prayer as I move forward. We are bound together by a common cause. As the Marines I reach work together in units, we should too. You have a mandate from The Lord to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15 You accomplish this outside of your Jerusalem through Missions.

Prayer and financial support is our “cover fire” that allows us to move into enemy territory and rescue those caught behind enemy lines.

Keep us covered.

Don’t forget to check out our Podcast “Field Notes with Dave Mason”. This week is episode 5, where we read the first testimony of John the Baptist. I apologize to anyone who couldn’t listen last week through iTunes. Our Audio file host, SoundCloud, was updating servers and iTunes didn’t like it. The issues are resolved now and you can listen to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher or Google Play.

 

And don’t forget the “donate” button on our website. I am praying for 100 new supporters to give $10 per month. If you know someone who you think would like to partner with us as we reach our Military with the Gospel, would you let them know of this easy way to give? It doesn’t take much if we are all working together. Together we are a strong team, each pulling a little, and accomplishing a lot!

 

‘Till Jesus Returns,

Dave Mason

General Director

Military Evangelism