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The Military Urgency

Our state is the smallest state west of the Mississippi River but boasts an impressive military presence with over 17,000 military members and their families. As servicemen and women defend freedom around the world and respond to emergencies in the state, they face unique daily challenges of military life - multiple deployments, war time stresses, and long separations from their families and jobs. With a suicide rate of 22 per day and a divorce rate of almost 15% per year, we desire to meet these unique needs in Arkansas by introducing them to the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

Our Military

Our military is concentrated in three locations: Little Rock Air Force Base (LRAFB) in Jacksonville, Camp Robinson Maneuver Training Center in North Little Rock, and Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center in Fort Smith. The Arkansas National Guard is located in cities and towns throughout the state with headquarters located in North Little Rock, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, and Fayetteville.

LRAFB is home to the 19th Airlift Wing and 314 Airlift Wing which boasts the largest C-130 Hercules fleet in the world with 7,500 airmen along with their families. The combined efforts of these units allow Team Little Rock to deploy and train the world's best C-130 Combat Airlifters including C-130 pilots, navigators, flight engineers, and loadmasters from all branches of the US military as well as 28 allied nations, in tactical airlift and aerial delivery. The 188th Wing and 189th Wing are part of the Arkansas National Guard with over 1,600 airmen and their families. The 188th Wing is located at Ebbing Air Base in Fort Smith with the role as an attack wing of the Air Force. The 189th Wing operates theC-130 Tactical Airlift Instructor School.

There are over 6,700 Army National Guard soldiers throughout the state comprising the 39th Infantry Brigade, the 142 Artillery Brigade, the 77th Aviation Brigade, and the 87th Troop Command. These military members are deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism and are gone from their families and jobs for over a year on each deployment. These units are also prepared to respond to support state emergency operations by assisting with road clearing, search and rescue, security, flood response, flying search and rescue missions, Aeromedical Evacuation and aerial overview of natural disasters, and forest fire fighting.

Our Mission:

We work at the approval of local chaplains and with local churches, and we are engaged in reaching the military with the message of the Gospel using the following types of Christ-centered ministries:

• ​Introducing our military members and their families to the person of Jesus Christ
• Discipling our service men and women to promote growth into mature Christ-followers
• Equipping our military to share the Gospel with others in their communities and around the world
• Strengthening the military family by helping couples establish Jesus Christ as the center of their home and marriage
• Leading individuals and families into Christ-centered healing and restoration when life goes wrong
• Serving and supporting Chaplains and Commanders in promoting mission readiness through  family readiness
• Training and equipping local churches on how to minister to the military in their midst

The Arkansas Cru Military team invites you to partner with us in making an eternal impact in the lives of thousands of Armed Service members and their families. Your contribution ensures that this strategic, fruitful ministry will continue and grow!