Iraq (MNN) — A military chaplain’s conference at Saddleback Church in the United States a year ago is now seeing a number of United States Soldiers coming to Christ in Iraq.
According to Purpose Driven Ministries, two army chaplains who attended that conference ended up working together on a base just north of Baghdad. As they began ministering together they started using the Purpose Driven Life’s 40 Days of Purpose with the troops. What started with a few key leaders grew to about 12 groups and about 200 people.
One chaplain took 500 copies of Purpose Driven Life with him to Iraq and he’s already given almost all of them away. Many soldiers are asking for a “copy of the book everyone was reading.”
According to Purpose Driven, soldiers are giving their lives to Christ because of it. One fighter pilot, who had a reputation of being tough, gave his heart to Christ after attending a small group meeting. That story has been repeated over and over again. Another group of helicopter mechanics were meeting every day, rather than once a week, to read and discuss the book.
The chaplains are asking Christians to pray for these new believers. Many of them will be returning home from combat. Pray that they’ll get involved in their local church and continue to grow in their newfound faith.
