Now that I have your attention, let me give some context regarding the title. The photo you see is of a Special Operations Soldier pulling in a marlin during OR’s annual offshore event out of Morehead City. You may be thinking he had a good day since he hooked a nice fish, but a lot of his time was spent hanging over the gunnels chumming the water. Seems his gut can handle parachuting out of planes but not sailing rolling seas.
According to Drew, this guy’s chaplain, between reeling in the marlin and retching over the side, the two of them did have the chance to talk about life. The Soldier expressed interest in finding a church when he got back to Ft. Liberty, partly due to their chat and partly due to the prayer the boat crew offered before shoving off and the subsequent hospitality of the crew as they trolled the Gulf Stream for billfish.
After they returned to Liberty, the conversations continued until Drew deployed during the fall. When he returned in December, this Soldier was one of the first to meet him. He told Drew that he had started attending a church and had accepted Jesus as his Savior. On top of this, his new church was resourcing him with opportunities for discipleship, and he was meeting with his pastor about baptism. Finally, this Soldier and two other warriors had been doing a Bible study while the chaplain was away. A seed that was planted on a fishing trip matured to major life change within a matter of months.
After almost a dozen years of working with Operation Resolute, these stories never get old. Never become routine. Just the opposite. These fuel our commitment to serve those who sacrifice. I hope they encourage you as well because your support of OR’s mission makes these God-empowered conversations possible.
I’ve said it from the start – it’s never simply a hunting or fishing trip. It’s about offering unique opportunities that chaplains can use to get to the hearts of Soldiers.
For God and Country,
Joel McDaniel
Founder and CEO
Operation Resolute
joel@operationresolute.org
(919)521-6025
