Many of you saw the stories on CNN and Fox News, or read in the newspapers, about the increase in suicides among United States Army personnel in 2007. The stories indicated that suicides have risen to record levels in the Army during the past three years. The story caught my attention while I was working out at the gym on base. But, skeptic that I am, I wanted to read the report for myself if I could. So I downloaded the Army Suicide Event Report (ASER) and read it. I also read other articles and blog entries that were discussing it online. The Army Times article, "Army Suicides Hit Record in 2007" is probably the most balanced presentation of the numbers I read in the ASER.
From my perspective of ministry to young military men and women, the most significant statement made in the executive summary of the ASER, was: "Suicide behaviors were significantly more common for young, Caucasian, unmarried, junior enlisted Soldiers." That hit me like a ton of bricks! This is precisely the military demographic that Yvonne and I focus our ministry toward. I was overwhelmed by the thought that this age group of young men and women (18-25) was at such high risk for suicidal behavior.
My doctoral research revealed, through interviews with young military men and women who had been involved in Open Bible Ministries between 2000 and 2007, in this age group, that the safe comfortable home and family environment, the planned weekend social activities, and the close interpersonal relationships that were developed, helped them avoid unhealthy activities. They also acknowledged that participating in the ministry helped them handle loneliness, isolation, boredom, homesickness, stress, anger, depression, and frustration more positively. Some of these emotional issues were identified in the ASER as the stressors that were motivational in sucidal behavior.
All of this highlights my belief that the Pentecostal church needs to develop a significant, intentional, and sustained outreach to the military community. This includes ministry to military spouses and military families, but also to single military men and women in this age group.
The New Jerusalem
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*For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.*
*Hebrews 13:14*
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*And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the d...
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My only prayer is that more of these 'at risk' soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen and women find that their hope is in the person of Christ Jesus. Nothing is so hopeless that He can't take care of it. We all need to keep them in our prayers...In Him, Pat
Why do you specify the Pentecostal church?
I specify the Pentecostal church because of beliefs. The beliefs of Pentecostals are significantly different from Christians who are not Pentecostal. These beliefs impact their behaviors and practices in their public worship as well as their private devotional lives.
Currently there are military ministries that do excellent work such as Cadence International, the Navigators, Officer's Christian Fellowship, Christian Military Fellowship, Campus Crusdae for Christ Military Ministries, and others. But, these ministries are not Pentecostal.
As a result, when servicemen and women get involved in these ministries two things happen: First, those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior are not taught about or exposed to the beliefs and practices that Pentecostals believe are essential in the discipleship process. Second, servicemen and women who come from a Pentecostal background are often taught that their beliefs and practices are wrong or even unbiblical. As a result, they begin to feel uncomfortable and unwelcome in these ministries.
Thus, there is a specific need that exists which I am convinced the Pentecostal church needs to address.
I don't mean to antagonize, but you didn't answer my question. I still don't know how the pentecostal church would make a difference in this situation. You said these other ministries do excellent work. What is different about the pentecostal church that will make a difference in the Army suicide rate?
I don't take your qustions antagonistically. Quite the contrary, I appreciate your willingness to ask them.
You asked, "What is different about the pentecostal church that will make a difference in the Army suicide rate?
It isn't really a matter of the Pentecostal church making a difference in the Army suicide rate per se. No one can predict in advance which Soldier or Sailor or Marine will respond to a given set of stressors in their lives by attempting or committing suicide.
However, the preponderance of evidence in the 2007 ASER, showed that suicidal behavior was most common among young, single, Caucasian, enlisted Soldiers. Based on that evidence, something must be done to intentionally and specifically reach out to this military demographic to mitigate the stressors in their lives that can lead to suicidal behavior.
The ASER listed ten event motivators for the 2007 suicides and suicide attempts. Four of those were: emotion relief, escape, hopelessness, and depression. Those four motivators alone accounted for a third of the completed suicides and two thirds of the suicide attempts.
My doctoral research indicated that involvement in the ministry of Open Bible Ministries, Inc., a Pentecostal house church that focuses its outreach specifically on 18-25 year old military men and women, helped them avoid unhealthy activities. It also helped them handle eight negative emotions: loneliness, stress, home sickness, isolation, boredom, depression, anger, and frustration, more positively.
Thus, the evidence indicates there is a pressing need for this type of ministry. The evidence also shows that this type of ministry is able to mitigate the negative emotional stressors that can lead to suicidal behavior in military men and women.
To my knowledge the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) is the only Pentecostal church that currently has an intentional military ministry distinct from its military chaplaincy program.
It is from this perspective, as a Pentecostal, that I would challenge the Pentecostal church to begin addressing this need.
I hope this helped clarify your question. If not, I would be happy to continue this discussion with you.
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