INTRODUCTION

American military veterans either volunteered or were drafted to serve their country.  Some endured extreme weather, rugged terrain, went days without a bath, a hot meal, or a good night's sleep.  Some served in support roles stateside; some treated the wounded or carried the dead.  Many war-time veterans returned with physical and psychological wounds which remain with them today.  Veterans also served in critical roles during peacetime to prevent unstable situations from developing into conflict or war.  And yes, millions of veterans are serving in uniform today.

In some way, every American veteran - including active-duty, guard, and reserve service members - helped preserve the freedoms we enjoy in the United States today.  And those who ever put on the uniform deserve our honor and respect for their service.  Whether a peacetime or war-time veteran, as a church, we appreciate the investment and sacrifices they made as they served.  We at Westside Baptist Church believe all veterans are American heroes!

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The Veterans Ministry Team will help the church better understand veterans and properly minister to the military veterans of our church and community.  The Veterans Team, in conjunction with the church leadership, will also seek to organize, promote, and execute various services, activities, and events to appropriately honor our veterans.  The Team will specifically help plan and promote Sunday services near the national holidays of Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year.

TEAM MEMBERSHIP

The Veterans Ministry Team is open to any member of the Westside Baptist Church congregation - veteran or non-veteran - who has a desire and a willingness to assist in accomplishing the mission of the Team.

COOPERATIVE APPROACH

The Veterans Ministry Team is urged to connect with local community veterans organizations and services that may enhance the church's ministry to veterans as well as provide awareness to veterans events, activities, and services in the local community that may be of benefit to them.  These organizations may include, but not be limited to, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other like-minded organizations, as well as the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

SUGGESTED IDEAS

The following ideas offer proposed ways to honor our veterans:

1. Offer specific moments of recognition in the Sunday worship services closet to Memorial Day and Veterans Day.  This may include having a color guard, special video presentation, Christian testimony of a veteran, handing out a small gift to veterans as a token of appreciation, etc.  These activities will all be coordinated with the Senior Pastor and other church staff as needed.  
2. Invite members of the congregation to personally "thank" or write "thank-you" notes to veterans, as well as active duty and national guard/reserve service members at various times of the year.
3. Encourage church members to listen to the stories of veterans-stories they are likely to find informative and inspiring.
4. Propose that parents/grandparents arrange for their children to interview a veteran, maybe asking about the most memorable moments in their military career.
5. Consider interviewing selected veterans during a special worship service about how their faith strengthened and sustained them during their military career.
6. Enlist veterans as worship leaders to share Scriptures, prayers, songs, or brief testimonies on the Sunday nearest to Veterans Day or other appropriate church event.
7. Visit a disabled veteran or a veteran care facility or arrange such a visit for a group from the church.  Many such veterans have few or no family members who visit.
8. Ask members to consider becoming an advocate for a veteran, helping them enlist for services at a VA Clinic or providing transportation for them to get groceries or attend medical appointments.
9. Sponsor a veterans breakfast/luncheon/dinner at appropriate times during the year.

10. Plan an appropriate evening communion and prayer service when the church prays for all active-duty military personnel, and families are invited to call the name of their family members who are actively serving and then light a candle in their honor.

These are just a few ideas - the Team is encouraged to explore many others as God leads.