Supply officer adopts subtle role as missionary to fellow sailors

ABOARD USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, EAST MEDITERANNEAN (BP)--It's Saturday morning and Keith Milo, an E4 from Bridgeport, Conn., and Elvin Rolon, an E3 from Orlando, Fla., nervously stand near their racks. Lt. Darren McFall, assistant supply officer for the aircraft carrier, is conducting an inspection of their berthing. It isn't going very well.

"The deck looks good, but there's a lot of dust up here," says McFall, taking a finger and wiping it along the top rail of a rack, revealing a large amount of black dirt.

"There's a lot of lime deposit -- you're going to have to come back and spend some time in here this week," the lieutenant informs the young sailors, who respond with glum faces.

On the way to the next inspection, McFall acknowledges that he's pretty strict with the sailors.

"I hate being mean," he says, shaking his head. "But we hold everyone to a high standard. Living quarter conditions for enlisted are tough enough -- there's not a whole lot of personal space. It's even worse if the conditions are bad. When you have good living conditions, it translates to better morale, which is good for the whole ship."

McFall is the key officer responsible for basic services on the ship such as food and laundry. There are many areas of the ship that he refers to as his space -- ship sections that fall under his supervision. But his concern for the men extends beyond just services. He cares about their souls too.

"The greatest thing I ever did was join the Navy," says McFall, who signed up after almost declaring bankruptcy for a failed restaurant business at age 24. "I can see how I came in as a 24-year-old, full of myself, and the transformation that ultimately occurred."

The biggest change for the U.S.-born, Mexican-raised, Southern Baptist was his understanding of worship. Throughout his 19-year career in the Navy (12 years overseas), McFall, his wife and two sons were exposed to several small culturally diverse churches. During a two-year stint in the South Pacific, their family visited a small congregation one Sunday in their search for a church home. There in the front of the church sat a set of drums. It was too much for McFall, who favored traditional worship styles, and the next week they visited another church, one that offered what seemed a more suitable style for him.

"I discovered rather quickly, though, that this particular church was very legalistic," McFall said. "I believe that theology is scriptural and worship is individual. Somehow, the Lord led us back to the other church."

McFall tolerated the contemporary music but began to voice his frustration and irritation more frequently at home, especially in front of his two teenage sons. His heart was struck, however, when an older gentleman in their church testified how a rather contemporary reggae-style song from the week before had meant so much to him.

"It was at that moment that I said to God, 'If you can touch him, you can touch me,'" McFall recounted. From that point, his feelings changed about music and he dove right in, joining the choir and slowly starting his own music ministry. He's continuing that ministry on the decks of the USS Harry S. Truman. Each Sunday, he leads a choir for the Protestant Sunday service and sees it as a tool that is drawing young men and women to God.

"Every time I walk through the mess decks I always try to find a way to encourage some of these young kids," said McFall, who frequently will sit down and eat with the enlisted 19- and 20-year-olds. "Sometimes the chaplains with their crosses on their lapels can be a little intimidating, so in my general role as an officer, it opens up opportunities for me to talk to them and invite them to the service."

McFall believes his 19 years of Navy service is all worth it if one person can come to know Christ as a result of his witness.

"The Navy isn't a life, it's a living," said McFall, who calls Greenbriar Baptist Church in Chesapeake Bay, Va., his home church. "It's part of my ministry and how God is using me. God has a plan prepared for me. I like to say I'm a missionary paid by the U.S. government."

FROM: Jerry Falwell
DATE: March 28, 2003

BIBLICAL GUIDELINES FOR NATIONAL PRAYER

At this critical time in our nation's history, it is imperative that Christians join together in prayer for our troops who wage war against a merciless enemy. This column is designed to offer suggestions on how to effectively pray for our troops, our leaders and our nation during this time of war and social unrest.

PRAYING FOR OUR TROOPS

"The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (Psalm 34:7, NKJV).

I often reflect on this verse when praying for our military personnel now fighting for the liberation of Iraq. It is comforting to know that God wants to guard and deliver those who trust Him. That is why it is so vitally important that Christians blanket our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in prayer.

I was heartened to witness a variety of news reports documenting the many worship services that were taking place prior to the military campaign into Iraq. One very moving photo showed a young man being baptized in a modified pool there. Baptist Press also showed a young technician being baptized in a munitions crate aboard the U.S.S. Harry S Truman.

Many of the men and women fighting to liberate Iraq are Christian brothers and sisters. In fact, several Liberty University students and graduates are now serving in the region as chaplains. I am confident that these individuals - and many others - are standing as outspoken representatives for Christ in the midst of battle. I have been praying that many American service members come to know Christ as Savior while serving their nation.

Let us also continue to pray that the Lord will safely deliver our troops to their families and friends who await their return. And may our nation welcome them home as heroes when they return to us.

PRAYING FOR OUR LEADERS

Earlier this year, President Bush said, "We pray for wisdom to know and do what is right and we pray for God's peace in the affairs of men."

Since our nation's founding, many of our leaders have sought God's hand in human endeavors. We continue to call on Him to direct our leaders.

In his "A Prayer for America," author Max Lucado beautifully expressed his hope for the nation in the wake of September 11: "Let your mercy be upon our President, Vice President, and their families. Grant to those who lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy upon the souls who have departed and the wounded who remain. Give us grace that we might forgive and faith that we might believe. And look kindly upon your church. For 2,000 years you've used her to heal a hurting world. Do it again, Lord. Do it again."

I Timothy 2:1-2 tells us: "Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence."

Our responsibility is to support our leaders in prayer. The Bible recounts times in the past when God's people did not take this responsibility seriously and the consequence was often the rise to power of evil monarchs. I encourage readers to honor President Bush and the members of his administration with your faithful prayers.

PRAYING FOR OUR NATION

Proverbs 14:34 reminds us, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

This is why it is so vitally important that Christians become involved in the democratic process. It is essential that we vote for leaders who will uphold Judeo-Christian values.

Anne Graham Lotz, appearing on CBS's Early Show on Sept. 13, 2001, discussed the importance of prayer in sustaining our nation. She noted that God is "emotionally involved in our pain" and that He "can bring comfort beyond human understanding."

During this time of war and potential terror, many people are asking important questions about life and personal peace. Christians must be ready to provide appropriate answers that point people toward the outstretched hand of Christ. This is how true revival can begin in our nation.

Furthermore, if we are to be involved in instigating a spiritual reawakening in America, we must look to Ephesians chapter five to make sure that we, as Christians, are living as true examples of Christ.

DON'T GROW WEARY IN WELL DOING

I would encourage Christians everywhere to continue to diligently pray for our troops, our leaders and our nation. No matter how dark the hour may seem, God continues to hear and answer our prayers. Galatians 6:9 tells us how important it is to be persistent in our Christian efforts: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

If you have not yet joined with thousands of others who have already enlisted in our national PRAYER FORCE, please do so today by clicking on this link: Pray for America

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