CHILTON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
|
CHILTON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
|
|
HOME PAGE AFFILIATED MINISTRIES
****************************** |
The goal of Chilton Baptist Men's Ministries is to draw men and boys closer to God by helping churches involve them in missions education. Throughout the year, the Association offers various training events and mission action projects to help churches attain this goal. SEE BELOW FOR LISTING OF 2009-2010 MEN'S MINISTRIES EVENTS.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 14TH - 6:00 P.M. Clanton First Baptist CLC - Meal provided
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: DR. BOBBY WELCH
Dr. Welch is a native of Fort Payne, AL and Vietnam War hero. He was a U.S. Army paratrooper, Ranger, jungle expert and Green Beret who ultimately attained the rank of Captain. He was a highly decorated soldier, receiving the Bronze Star with "V" device for bravery, a Purple Heart, and an Air Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge to mention only a few.
The Army reconnaissance platoon leader, shot by a Viet Cong guerilla and believed dying, was piled, along with three other war casualties, onto a military helicopter. The severely wounded American officer, who would later become a Green Beret, struggled to survive and recommitted his life to Christ.
The following story was published in A Greater
Freedom (Norm Miller)3/29/09
Dr. Welch is meeting with the 10th Mountain Division, an elite U.S. Army unit at Fort Drum, New York, and shares about a personal meeting he had with President George W. Bush, in which "the very first thing he wanted to talk about was my military experience."
Bro. Bobby said that during the conversation, he reached over to make a point by clasping Bush's wrist. "Now, evidently, you ain't supposed to do that, because curtains started moving, doors started opening and people started moving in," Welch said, as the soldiers chuckled.
He said he told President Bush he volunteered for everything he did in the military, including training for infantry, Ranger, airborne and jungle service.
"And Mr. President, there's never been a second since I volunteered to do all that; and Mr. President, there's never been a second since I was lying on that battle field with my guts blown out and left there to die, and Mr. President, there's never been a second up until this moment in the Oval Office with you, never a second, Mr. President, that I haven't been proud and thankful for the opportunity to give my life for this country and my family," Welch said. "And Mr. President, that's exactly the kind of people you have in the U.S. military today."
Dr. Welch said Bush also asked how a soldier musters the courage to run headlong into enemy gunfire. "Mr. President, I think the first answer is that, if you don't get up and run at them, they're gonna get up and run at you. If you don't get them, they're gonna get you," Welch said.
Addressing the soldiers, Welch noted U.S. military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, asking, "And, by the way, that's the idea behind what we're doing today, isn't it? If we don't go get them, they're gonna come and get us."
Dr. Welch said he told Bush he was trained for combat dangers and was inspired "by what I'd already seen of other men. Also, others were depending on me, Mr. President. But I think the main thing is I realized that I was the leader, and something needed to be done."
Bro. Bobby told the Fort Drum audience that there is "solace and solutions" for people who suffer from the traumas of war.
"I'm not unacquainted with what happens to you when you come back from a war. I know of the accounts of how it is to be caught in the middle of the night crawling around in the bed, screaming, "Where's my weapon? Where's my weapon?" he said with a trembling voice. He swallowed hard, twice, to regain his composure. "But there are solutions, and there is solace in that God is able to go where others can't go."
While other assistance for trauma is available, Welch said there is nothing better than what Jesus Christ offers.
"In God we trust is still printed on our coins, and for us who are believers, we believe that. But in God, you and I can still triumph through what He can do. He is able," Dr. Welch said.
Dr. Welch recalled how he had been so badly wounded in combat that others thought he was dead. He was thrown on the "dead pile" and, though he knew he was about to die, "could only mutter three words: "God help me."
Dr. Welch offered three points of advice for those who had faced or would face such ordeal:
_ Learn to leave your past. "You can never forget it, but you can learn to leave it.
_ Be sure that you seize the present. He advised the soldiers to realize they are important to others around them and could be strengthening and encouraging them.
_ Guard your future. What you do now will have a lot to do with what you do later. You never know how soon life is going to be over. You don't have to go around the world and carry a gun to die. Life is mighty fragile.
As he closed his message, Welch prayed for "that soldier nearest eternity, who is crawling across some field, headed for a broken-down wall or a small lump of dirt - maybe with blood running out of his nose or the corner of his mouth, hands shaking, heart beating a million miles an hour - just trying to get to that little barrier, hoping to make it home. God, I pray right now you'll send angels from on high to protect him, bless him and bring him home safe."
Bro. Bobby will have copies of his book, You, the Warrior Leader.
PLEASE, have your reservations to the Association Office by August 2nd.
Bro. Bobby says what is needed most in the church today are "warrior leaders to lead charges into battle." Come and hear how Christians in God's army can launch an effective campaign to win and disciple the national, local and international world to Christ. Christians should be on the offensive, ready for attack and prepared to go to battle at any time.
Men's Ministries EVENTS 2009- 2010 CHURCH YEAR
For more information, contact Sherrell White, Men's Ministry Team Leader (334-366-1714).
|
|
