THE JOURNEY CONTINUES: VETERANS PATROL
Column for September 27, 2020 Veterans Patrol
My journey this week returns to the Veterans Patrol, a new faith-based organization in San Marcos. When we meet, veterans share a camaraderie and warmth of brotherhood from our military experience. Veterans Patrol is an outreach ministry created for veterans to share how they found inner peace through faith.
The vision is to eliminate the traditional barriers hindering veterans from peace and faith – as shown in the Mission Statement: “Veterans Standing Together in Faith to Support Each Other in Inner Peace.” Followed by our three core values:
• The group is for veterans including all services, ranks, ethnic groups, races, genders, and economic groups because Christ is for all people.
• After the stresses of military service, many veterans seek peace, not always in the right places. John 16:33 (Jesus said) “I have come so that you can have peace, in this world you shall have trouble but do not fear, I have overcome the world.”
• Veterans Patrol is based on comradeship and willingness to help each other up. Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV says: But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.”
Our first meeting was held on November 18, 2019, at the Abundant Life Community Church. Local leaders include Pastor (Emeritus) Paul Buntyn, Pastor Eloy Narvaiz (Soul Harvest Church), Mr. James Bryant, Jr., Mr. Jack Carson, Mr. Charles Kight and Mrs. Ruby Oakes.
The Pandemic interrupted our monthly meetings until August 24, 2020, when members cautiously resumed meeting following the guideline of wearing masks, and social distancing. Our next meeting is Monday, September 28th, 7:00 pm at First Baptist Church on 325 W. McCarthy Lane, San Marcos. Our guest will be Jude Prather, Hays Co. Veteran’s Service Officer. The theme will be “Coming Home” in honor of the return last Friday of The Texas National Guard, 4th Battalion-133rd Field Artillery Regiment.
For further information go to veteranspatrol.org or call me (Brother Jim) at 512-216-9519. John 15:12-13 states “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you. Greater Love has no man than this — that he may lay down his life for his friends.” Come and share your journey — you are important to the Lord.
