NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–Some soldiers in Iraq have said that the battle times aren’t as hard as the down time, the time when all there is to do is sit on their cots and wait. Boredom becomes the enemy without a gun.
The church resources division of LifeWay Christian Resources recently began working with Baptist associations to create LifeBox. These boxes contain items such as a personal note to a service member, chewing gum, tube/crew socks, small candies, stationery supplies, homemade goodies and wet wipes, plus a LifeWay magazine and “The Invitation” CD from LifeWay Christian Stores.
“LifeBox is a way that LifeWay can work with local churches and state Baptist associations to make a positive contribution to our Armed Forces personnel,” said Rhonda Buescher, director of LifeWay’s magazine advertising and circulation.
“Maxim, a soft-porn magazine, is sent free of charge to military personnel. We want to offer a good alternative. Soldiers have said that mail and magazines are greatly appreciated, and now we have an opportunity to have a positive impact on their lives,” she said.
Churches and interested community organizations donate money to their local Baptist association to pay for magazines and postage for flat rate mailers, which can be obtained at post offices. Associations order HomeLife, Christian Single, Journey or Stand Firm through LifeWay’s network partnerships area at a special discount for this project.
Associations enlist churches to participate, and collection points are designated at associational offices or churches.
Churches and interested community organizations collect the LifeBox items and deliver them to one of these collection points. Addresses of individual military personnel or chaplains are collected from churches and from websites that house names of military personnel who wish to receive mail.
Personal notes are written and packed with other items in LifeBox.
Boxes are mailed by March 23, 2007, to arrive by April 7 (Easter weekend).
“We are so pleased to be able to work with many of our Baptist associations to make LifeWay magazines available to our service men and women,” Buescher said. “The mission of LifeBox is to fulfill the dream of a Southern Baptist Army officer to provide LifeWay’s distinctly Christian magazines, in response to the large amount of worldly magazines available in the theatre, along with comfort items and personal notes to the men and women serving in our Armed Forces.
“The men and women serving in the military need encouragement as Christians,” Buescher added. “Many who fight for us do so not knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. All who fight do so in an environment that is stressful, secular and filled with danger of many types.”
Questions about the project can be sent to [email protected].
LifeBox is a voluntary ministry organized and promoted by Southern Baptist associations and LifeWay, with key input from Southern Baptists serving in our Armed Forces and from an advisory team made up of directors of missions. This ministry is voluntary and has no official connection with or approval by any of the United States military branches.
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