Marine Missionaries Help US Warriors Live Their Faith

An article published on Memorial Day by CBN detailed how a small network of missionaries for Marines are using the Word of God as their strongest weapon against the enemy.

The work profiled the Tun Tavern Fellowship, which supports “any Marine willing to walk in relationship with Jesus Christ, and renew their strength in the Lord.”

“The Marine Corps culture is one of service,” 19-year Marine and Pentagon Liaison Officer for Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Lieutenant Colonel John Dalby told the outlet. “The Marine Corps leadership and values go hand-in-hand with the biblical model of leadership and character God gives us through Jesus Christ.”

“I remember my first deployment to Iraq as a young second Lieutenant,” he continued. “I was quoting those memory verses I remembered from my youth, especially Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) ‘Do not worry about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'”

Many Marines Find Exercising Faith Difficult

The National Institute of Health reports that some 70% of U.S. military members are Christian, but many struggle to exercise their faith, particularly Marines. “Honestly, I was not walking out my faith the way I was claiming to be a Christian,” Sgt. Major Mark Byrd told CBN, noting how it was a high-ranking officer who challenged his accountability to Christ. “It was probably 7 years into my career that I came across a Marine who challenged me in regard to my faith. We were headed to the Mediterranean Sea for six months and he asked me, ‘Okay, so you’re a Christian? How do you plan to practice your faith?’ He took me under his way – discipled me and taught me how to read the Bible and live out my faith.”

Now, Byrd is part of the nonprofit, helping to lead Bible studies and gatherings with Marines around the world. “Service Members in general, and particularly Marines, do have a unique need because you’re faced with the reality your life could be on the line at any given moment,” Lt. Col. Dalby noted. “Especially for those who are professing Christians and really believe it, there’s nothing more comforting to know the men and women to your left and right are a believer, a Christian.”

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