The Charis Fellowship has an incredible missions history and legacy. From the days of the Gribble’s who went to the Central African Republic and now Encompass World Partners, to local church planting and revitalizations with Assist Church Expansion all across our nation, from preparing pastors and missionaries at Grace Schools, to the many discipleship ministries that now include Momentum Ministry Partners (formerly CE National), Charis Women (formerly Women of Grace) and Grace Brethren Investment Foundation, our Fellowship is blessed.
However, we live in times of change. That change is evident all across our own country and our world, and even in our military. To borrow an oft cited phrase, while it may be easier to “curse the darkness,” our response ought to be to “light a candle,” or many candles.
I believe that the Bible and its message are still relevant…and it calls us to respond. 2 Corinthians 6:2b says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” From the perspective of the Eagle Commission, now is the accepted time to continue to encourage young men to consider military chaplaincy as a place to serve the Lord, to take the Gospel to those in uniform. It is a challenge to find and recruit for this specialized ministry in a SMALL Fellowship, but it’s not for our BIG God. As you pray daily for our current team, I encourage you to pray to the Lord of the harvest to call others to this worthy ministry. —Mark Penfold, Eagle Commission
A version of this story originally appeared in a newsletter from The Eagle Commission.