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Christianity Today, July, 2009 |

When the War Never Ends

Many vets are ambushed by post-traumatic stress disorder. But some churches are coming to their defense.

Jocelyn Green | posted 7/02/2009 09:05AM

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"If people think the VA hospital will solve all the problems, they'll overlook the greatest source of healing in any situation: Jesus," says Self. "The majority component for recovery is a spiritual solution, more than any secular clinical answer."

Jocelyn Green is a freelance writer and author of Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody Publishers).

Related Elsewhere:

Previous Christianity Today articles on veterans or military ministry include:

Not Just Chaplains | Parachurch organizations are filling in the gaps through ministry to troops and their families. (August 21, 2007)

Beyond Yellow Ribbons | Become a blessing to a military family. (July 1, 2006)

Veteran Ministry | How churches can help soldiers and their families readjust after combat. (June 30, 2006)

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July 2009, Vol. 53, No. 7

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Adam S

Posted: July 07, 2009 7:52 PM

I am not a proponent of the wars in either Afghanistan or Iraq, but the two commenters that seemed to either deny the existence of PTSD or think it is a just reward for service do not understand the consequences. I have friends who's son served one term in Iraq. Including the several that died in Iraq, just over half have not attempted or achieved suicide in his reserve unit. My friend's son has attempted suicide several times, is currently in a rehab program, has several legal issues directly related to PTSD. This is serious and the role of the church should exactly be helping people who's souls have been wounded. All attempts to publicize and work with vets (whether you support the war or not) should be celebrated. Thank you for the article.

Joe Chip

Posted: July 07, 2009 5:02 PM

So you mean to tell me that joining a military force, invading other countries and killing the natives there has lasting, detrimental emotional and psychological consequences!? Who knew? Please spare me. Killers and their enablers sometimes suffer for their choices. It's actually a blessing, and should serve as a strong deterrent to anyone considering choosing the wicked career path of spilling blood for our government's gain.

Pete	Posted: July 06, 2009 1:46 PM

In this great article, you note that "The local church is a particularly critical resource for veterans. . . ." ACCTS, Military Ministry and other organizations are having a conference on "Helping Military Families" at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, CO, August 17-21, 2009. The conference will bring together churches, military members, chaplains, and para-churches to discern how we can minister to the military family needs you've identified. Keynote speakers Myles Munroe, Richard Blackaby, and Rob Parker will address prayer for the military, and MG (Ret.) Bob Dees of Military Ministry, MG Doug Carver, Army Chief of Chaplains, and BGen Dave Kettle, Chaplain General of the Canadian Forces will lead discussions on the military deployment cycle. Complementary workshops on Military Family Issues, Christian Leadership, Military Ministry, and Prayer will also equip churches for ministry to their military. For more information about this conference, go to www.accts.org.

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