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Turn food into hope this Thanksgiving
You'll meet a huge need in the inner city ... HUNGER ... and shine the love and mercy of Jesus.
Bill and Lisa Bennett
#0425784
"Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!" - Psalm 105:1
We are Bill and Lisa Bennett, full-time missionaries with Cru Military. I (Bill) have been on staff with Cru Military for 31 years and Lisa for 26 years. Thank you for looking into who we are and what we love doing.
We want to build movements throughout the global military community so that everyone knows someone who truly follows Jesus Christ.
What We Do
We aim, within the military community:
- to evangelize
- teach
- assurance of salvation
- how to walk in the Holy Spirit
- how to train others to do the same
How We Do It
As Cru Military, we lead weekly “Religious Education” classes to soldiers in Basic Training. "Religious Education” is separate from the worship service in the chapel - in the next building. They get to attend both, voluntarily—one after the other—on Sundays.
We teach basic Christian truths - giving them tools to use to help them get through their training and beyond. Our lessons include: Basic Bible navigation, the Gospel, identity of a Christian warrior, Spiritual Battle (Enemies and Strategies for defense), abiding in Christ, obedience, fellowship, prayer, the Great Commission, and how to share their testimony concisely. After 13 lessons, they graduate training and new soldiers arrive to take their place.
Some come to learn. Others come to get away from their drill sergeants for a bit. Either way, they get the Truth. One soldier said he’d always been atheist. He came to our classes only to escape the drill sergeants, not because he was “checking out Christianity.” He received Christ in our class and went on to describe how astonished he was to realize how much he needed Jesus. He has since been baptized in the chapel and wants to make the same difference in other soldiers' lives that was made in his through the Cru Military studies.
It's thrilling to hear soldiers talk about the impact Christ has made in their lives in such a short time!
"Cru Military has been a blessing to my life, not only in basic training but in AIT and for the rest of my life. The high pressure, yelling and screaming of the first week of Basic crushed me! … The Bible study was soooo good! We talked about Satan and his tactics, sin and how it affects our life. We learned how to win against Satan’s strategies. Next week we’re going to talk about the armor of God and how to use it in our day-to-day life. I’m looking forward for next Sunday.’" – Army Basic Training soldier
In addition to our Sunday classes, we mentor/disciple current and future ministry leaders within the ranks of young officers, and military spouses, as well as facilitate trauma recovery groups (https://rebootrecovery.com/) both locally and virtually.
About Us
Thank you so much for these Bible studies! They have really helped me get through training. I received Christ three weeks ago here and today I am getting baptized! - Army Basic Training soldier
“Your passion for ministry and spiritual growth through serving ... gave my husband and me the push we needed to transition from the Army into full-time missions.” - Army wife
Lisa in ministry:
- disciples women one-on-one
- trains small groups of women to assume leadership roles in ministry within the military
- manages a dynamic team of volunteers
- team-leads Bible studies for soldiers-in-training
- leads worship teams
- serves the Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) - an international Bible Study ministry for military women in a variety of roles
- oversees much of the administration of the local ministry
Bill in ministry:
- seeks the Lord’s vision for expanding discipleship ministry in the Fort Leonard Wood, MO area
- initiates ministry wherever possible within the military community
- mobilizes those with a heart for the military to join our teaching team for the Basic Training Bible studies (currently looking for 8)
- trains others in personal evangelism and discipleship
- raises the financial support needed to continue this ongoing ministry
Changes in the economy have greatly affected our ministry partners and thus, our ministry finances. A significant amount of support must be raised to cover the sharp decline in donations and increased expenses.
Currently, we must raise $3000 in additional monthly financial support.
Your gift covers:
- ministry expenses
- materials
- equipment
- salary
- health insurance
And impacts …. THOUSANDS!
- materials
- equipment
Our desire is to WIN, BUILD, and SEND Christ-centered multiplying disciples who launch spiritual movements in the global military community.
"Our pastor and his wife...introduced us to Bill and Lisa...26 years ago! We've been joined for the cause of Christ ever since. Bill and Lisa spread the fragrance of Christ in a powerful way..." - Navy wife and ministry partner
Our Joys:
- About 20+ beloved friends (former military trainees and fruit of the Bennett's ministry) maintain contact - sharing their journeys with Christ and doing the work of evangelism/discipleship
- Discipling soldiers and their families and seeing the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, as they experience new life in Christ Jesus, and learn to walk by His power
- The continued growth of the ministry at Fort Leonard Wood
- Invigorated family relationships
We are honored to serve our Lord and our military alongside us.
In His Service,
Bill and Lisa Bennett
bill.bennett@crumilitary.org
Need Help?
Call us at (888)278-7233 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday, or email us at eGift@cru.org.
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