Ready to Take Heart

‘I

have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33)

DO NOT LOSE HEART

VE DAY 80TH ANNIVERSARY: A PEACE THAT LASTS NEXT STEP SUSTAIN

READY

The Journal of The Soldiers’ and Aviators’ Scripture Readers Association

PATRON

His Majesty the King

PRESIDENT

Major General R J Thomson CBE DSO

PRESIDENT EMERITUS

General The Lord Dannatt of Keswick in the County of Norfolk

GCB CBE MC DL

CHAIRMAN

Col John Lewis

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lt Col (Retd) Martin Gliniecki QGM CEng

HEADQUARTERS

 Havelock House Barrack Road Aldershot Hampshire GU11 3NP

 03000 301 302

 admin@sasra.org.uk

EDITOR AND SUB-EDITOR

Laura Reuter

Registered charity in England & Wales 235708, in Scotland SC039130.

Company limited by guarantee; Registered in England No. 329268. ISSN 13580507.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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READY TO TAKE HEART

Laura Reuter, Editor

In 2020, the Spring Ready magazine commemorated the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) and was entitled ‘Ready for Peace’. As we approach the 80th Anniversary of VE Day, global tensions rage, and the UK government has set out the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War; it is safe to say we are all the more ready for peace!

And yet for the Christian, lasting peace will not come until the Lord Jesus first returns, which we reflect upon more on page 16. For now, life is full of challenges, uncertainties and sorrows, but followers of Christ can look to Him who understands, who has overcome this world and who calls His people to ‘take heart’ (John 16:33).

On page 7, you can read of how the LORD has wonderfully answered our prayers following last year’s fundraising campaign, which has enabled us to recruit more Scripture Readers. This includes Jim Henderson, who returns to SASRA as a Reader following a heart transplant last year (page 19) and John Miskelly, who shares how God transformed his life and led him to the Association (page 24).

The Jackson Club has been a regular feature in Ready over the last four years but sadly, on page 28, we announce its closure, and we say goodbye to Lead Communications Officer and Editor of Ready John Surtees on page 32.

Amid these sadnesses, it has been a joy to read of how God is still spreading the good news of His Son through our Scripture Readers among Army personnel and increasingly among those serving in the RAF, again demonstrating God’s faithfulness in hearing and answering our prayers.

Whatever your personal circumstances just now, my prayer is that this latest edition of Ready will cause you to take heart as you read of the great things the LORD continues to do through His people.

© SASRA

Do Not LOSE HEART

‘And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.’ (Gal. 6:9, NKJV)

The DANCON March (short for Danish Contingent) is an annual event conducted by the Danish military deployed overseas. It consists of a twenty-five-kilometre march or run, sometimes carrying weight. During my deployment to Iraq on Op TELIC 7, a few of us volunteered to participate in DANCON IRAQ ‘06 — carrying fully loaded bergens (military backpacks). Paras never had much thought for their future knees…

By ASR Josh Fortune, Hyde Park

I was partnered with my friend Andy. He was one of the fittest men in the battalion and someone I wanted to be just like! The race started, and we trotted along at an even pace for the first few kilometres. I soon grew frustrated; we should be going faster! Bidding farewell to Andy, I began to jog. ‘Careful, Josh! You’ll burn out before long,’ he warned, but I wasn’t having any of it. It was January, the Iraqi sun was shining, accompanied

‘How, then, do we keep going? How can we finish the race marked out for us — and finish it well?’

Josh Fortune (right). How it started…

by a stiff cool breeze — perfect running conditions — and I wanted to go fast!

You can probably imagine what happened… at the eighteenth (or so) kilometre, my body packed in. I could barely put one foot in front of the other, I had lost all motivation to run. Andy merrily trotted past me with a smile on his face; ‘Told you that would happen,’ he laughed as he headed off out of sight. He finished the race a good while before I did. If only I had listened to his wise advice.

The events of that day have stayed with me for almost twenty years because they were such a good parallel with the Christian life.

I’ve been working in Christian ministry for over ten years now (three of those as an Army Scripture Reader), and I’ve already seen dozens of people I know — and heard of countless others that have sadly made headlines around the world — fail to finish their race well. They lost heart.

For some, the attendant discouragements of ministry got too much. For others, the world seemed

more appealing than the things of God. And, like me at the start of the DANCON March in Iraq 2006, they had almost always started brightly with energy and zeal but had failed to heed the wise warnings imparted to them.

Losing heart and giving up the race is not a new thing; we see ample examples of it in the early church. Demas, a missionary companion of Paul, went from being a ‘fellow worker’ (Philem. 1:24) to one who ‘in love with this present world, has deserted [Paul]…’ (2 Tim. 4:10). Demas lost his heart for God and replaced it with a heart for the world.

The church in Ephesus, full of zeal, good works and persistence had begun — in their own way — to lose heart, causing the Lord Jesus to warn them: ‘But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.’ (Rev. 2:4-5a). The Ephesian church, though maintaining a busy outward appearance, had also lost their heart for the Lord!

If we’re being honest, we’ve probably all been a bit like Demas or the Ephesian Christians at some point or another in our own races despite, perhaps, starting strongly.

How, then, do we keep going? How can we finish the race marked out for us — and finish it well? The command to persevere without losing heart is reiterated time and again in the New Testament. Much has been written and preached about the subject by far more learned men than I, but I wanted to briefly list a few verses and thoughts that I’ve found helpful, both in my role as a Scripture Reader and in church leadership, particularly in those tough times of discouragement.

‘Like Peter walking on the waves, the moment we take our eyes off Jesus we begin to sink.’

How it ended…

WE MUST FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS!

‘…And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith’ (Heb. 12:1b–2a). Like Peter walking on the waves, the moment we take our eyes off Jesus we begin to sink. Though it isn’t specifically mentioned, I think that’s what happened with both Demas and the Ephesian church. They stopped looking to Christ with love. I am struck by the way that John the Baptist gazed at Jesus repeatedly in the early chapters of John’s Gospel. He was a man who knew what it was to look to Christ, even in the face of discouragement.

NOTHING DONE FOR HIM IS IN VAIN!

‘Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain’ (1 Cor. 15:58). I’ve known many people who spent their lives chasing glory or pleasure that cannot last; achievements that are ultimately empty. Many soldiers I served with in the Iraq and Afghan campaigns have since lamented how empty and pointless many of their sacrifices now seem to be. For the Christian doing the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way, we can say with confidence that our labour in the Lord is not in vain. Every act of faithfulness, even as small as giving a cold drink to someone in need (Matt. 10:42), has eternal ramifications!

THERE WILL BE A HARVEST!

‘And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart’ (Gal. 6:9, NKJV). We live in a world where instant results are highly sought after, but the kingdom of God is different. Seeds take time to grow. It’s only in my third year as a Scripture Reader that I’m really seeing the fruit of long-term relationships and investments. I’ve spoken to soldier ‘K’ for the past two years — he has received hundreds of my daily devotions — but only in the last few weeks has he started committedly attending church and enquiring after

Soldier ‘K’ with Josh Fortune

the things of God. Pray for him!

Three years after DANCON Iraq ‘06, I took part in DANCON Afghanistan ‘09 in Kabul Airbase. We had to wear body armour and carry a helmet for this march, it was almost 2000 metres above sea level, and I wasn’t as fit (or young!) as I had been three years prior. But this time, I remembered Andy’s words of wisdom and finished second out of 250 people! Paying heed to wise words made all the difference. May we pay heed to God’s wise words and precious promises as we run our races for His glory. Do not lose heart!

‘For the Christian doing the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way, we can say with confidence that our labour in the Lord is not in vain.’

Next Step SUSTAIN

We were humbled by the generosity of supporters throughout our fundraising campaign.

A major factor which contributed to my desire to be SASRA’s Executive Director was the goal of growing the number of Scripture Readers to twenty-five by 2030. In Autumn 2023, we began planning towards this. God was doing His bit, providing suitable Scripture Reader candidates, and we needed to do our bit, with careful recruitment and selection, together with planning and delivering the necessary prayer support and resources to grow and sustain the Association. We established an internal staff team to pray, share and analyse ideas and we produced a fundraising campaign plan for 2024. Recognising the scourge of increased stress-related illnesses in society and our Armed Forces, our campaign also sought to raise awareness of the power of the gospel in delivering positive outcomes for those suffering in mind, soul and spirit. This fulfilled part of our mission through promoting spiritual wellbeing and building mental resilience.

In January 2024, we began our campaign: to increase prayer and financial support, aiming to gain longterm partnerships with supporters, serving members, churches and Trusts. Success would require a change in our cultural reluctance to ask for help more openly; we established fundraising as a ministry within SASRA, similar in need to ministries of worship, prayer, preaching and evangelism. We had to learn how to ask for some or increased prayer, funds and practical support in ways that were faithful and — when met with a polite decline — respectful, accepting that God calls people to give differently. In the power of the Spirit, it brings me great joy to inform our wonderful

SASRA supporter Barbara raised over £1000 for the Association by having a sponsored ‘hair cut-off’!

supporters, serving members, church partners and supporting Trusts that we reached our goal of a £200K increase in income in 2024, enabling the recruitment of five more Scripture Readers. I praise the Lord, heart and soul, and thank everyone that prayed and provided for us. We now seek to sustain this growth and so I respectfully ask that those who are able to, would prayerfully consider supporting us, and those who were able to give more during 2024, would prayerfully consider maintaining your increased giving. When Jim Henderson and John Miskelly begin working in May, SASRA will have more salaried Scripture Readers than at any time since the 1960s, and all thanks to supporters following our Saviour.

By Lt Col (Retd) Dr Martin Gliniecki QGM, Executive Director

SASRA AND THE RAF

SASRA’s former Executive Director reflects on

how the Lord has answered our prayers for the expansion of our work with the RAF.

When I joined SASRA in 2014 we had only one full-time RAF Scripture Reader – there was a real threat to the future of SASRA’s ministry to the RAF.

Council and Executive wrestled with this challenge and prayed that the Lord would provide a way to expand our work with the Air Force. Our supporters were asked to pray for this too, and we prayed regularly in SASRA HQ that a way might be found.

And then after several years, an Air Officer at Air Command offered to facilitate a meeting between the Chaplainin-Chief, former SASRA Council Member Group Captain Mark Bunting and myself. The HQ team spent that afternoon praying for the success of the meeting.

The Chaplain-in-Chief welcomed us warmly in High Wycombe and today, we have three RAF Scripture Readers: ASR Steve Curley at RAF Brize Norton, ASR Steven Dougherty at RAF Northolt and ASR Peter Woodward at RAF Benson.

In a day when spiritual needs are so profound, I thank God that the door to the RAF is open and that the Lord is providing Scripture Readers to take on the work. Let us pray that there may be much fruit among the men and women of the RAF.

By Sqn Ldr Rev Dr Andrew Hill PhD, RAF (Retd), Minister of Hayes Town Chapel

‘I thank God that the door to the RAF is open and that the Lord is providing Scripture Readers to take on the work.’

A Light and ENCOURAGEMENT

Since beginning his ministry at RAF Northolt in 2023, ASR Steven Dougherty has had many opportunities to share the gospel on the station.

Over the past couple of years, Steven has worked alongside Chaplaincy and has started a regular Bible study (with a growing number of attendees!), a bimonthly ‘Tea and Toast’ morning, which has the support of the Station Commander, and this year, he ran a Hope Explored course.

Work at RAF Northolt can be challenging in some respects. During the day, most people are in offices and departments, meaning Steven doesn’t have many opportunities to bump into people around camp; he either needs to go looking for them or they need to come to him.

But that hasn’t hindered the work. Through events like ‘Tea and Toast’ Steven has made vital contacts who have brought him to different locations on the station, where they have introduced him to others. Officers and welfare staff have been referring individuals to Steven, and others are seeking him out unprompted for practical and pastoral support.

Last year, Steven met a Christian aviator who was going through a difficult time. He sat with them in the cookhouse and encouraged them with the simple words, ‘You’re not alone.’ A while after that, the individual came to find Steven to talk about the difficulties they were facing. Steven shared from the Scriptures and prayed with them — they went away encouraged. Steven shared that it is a joy to be part of the team and to be a light and encouragement to those who need it.

By Sandrina de Klerk, Communications Assistant

Left: Steven enjoys building others up through pointing them to Christ.

Above: Steven’s work extends beyond Northolt. Last year he joined the Edinburgh Tattoo outreach team and shared the gospel with participants from across the globe.

Eighty YEARS ON

Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of VE Day through a SASRA lens.

On 27 January 1945, Soviet troops, advancing from the East, liberated Auschwitz extermination camp. Around the same time the German Army in Western Europe was in full-scale retreat into Germany, following defeat in the Ardennes region by US, UK, Canadian and Belgian forces, which became known as the Battle of the Bulge. Germany’s defeat was unavoidable but there would be more than three months of fighting before their unconditional surrender on 7 May 1945, and victory celebrations in Britain the following day, VE (Victory in Europe) Day.

It is worth reflecting, however, that Allied victory was not always inevitable. In 1940, Britain’s position in the war looked perilous, with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) stranded in Europe and surrounded by German forces. An abundance of history books, essays and online webpages provide the chronology of political and military events, at the strategic, operational and tactical levels. Here, I offer a short reflection on how the war was won through a lens of strategic, operational and tactical spiritual victories: a Christian and SASRA lens of how tactical-level faith-in-action engaged and influenced the war effort.

© Crown copyright Over the six-year span of WWII, HM King George VI called seven national days of prayer in total.

STRATEGIC

When Britain was close to defeat in 1940, a godly and faithful King George VI called for a National Day of Prayer. The King was also patron of ASR & SACA (Army Scripture Readers & Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Christian Association), which was renamed SASRA in 1950. The day of prayer was to be held on 26 May 1940, the first of seven called during the war. In a national broadcast, the King said: ‘Let us with one heart and soul, humbly but confidently, commit our cause to God and ask His aid, that we may valiantly defend the right as it is given to us to see it.’

‘There were extraordinary scenes outside Westminster Abbey as people queued for prayer.’

The King was pleading with his people to turn back to God in a spirit of repentance and to seek divine help. Millions of citizens across the British Isles flocked into churches to pray for deliverance. There were extraordinary scenes outside Westminster Abbey as people queued for prayer. Two events immediately followed. First, a violent storm arose over the Dunkirk region grounding the Luftwaffe, which had been killing thousands of British servicemen on the beaches. Second, a great calm descended on the Channel, the like of which hadn’t been seen for a generation. Together, these prayer-answered interventions allowed hundreds of tiny boats to sail across the Channel and rescue around 335,000 soldiers, rather than what had been estimated possible, around 20-30,000. From then on, people referred to what happened as the ‘Miracle of Dunkirk’.

The last wartime National Day of Prayer was called by the King in the spring of 1944. Prior to D-Day, delayed until 6 June 1944, crowded pre-battle

services were held everywhere across the nation. On the Sunday just before D-Day, a one-hour prayer vigil was held at the Headquarters 2nd Army, the UK’s invasion force’s headquarters, with around 400 officers and other ranks in attendance. Again, God answered the prayers of the King, country, Allied commanders and Armed Forces personnel. Against forecasts, the weather, tide, moonlight and enemy’s disposition became favourable toward the combined Allied operation of sea, ground and air forces.

OPERATIONAL

ASR & SACA’s small headquarters was located at 35 Catherine Place, Westminster during the war. From here, prayer-led, operational-level decisions were taken, deploying other headquarters and superintendents, overseeing new branches and the postings of Scripture Readers. During the early months of 1945, headquarters was significantly understaffed, and prayerful pleas were sent out for two shorthand typists, to help with the preparation and distribution of necessary literature. Despite half the available staff from the office in Catherine Place being part-time employees, Ready magazines, books, tracts and prayers continued to be distributed, spiritually nourishing Readers, members and troops generally in their war efforts.

As VE Day approached, Council and staff planned the transition from its wartime establishment and deployment of Readers to post-war needs of forty to fifty, to replace those retiring and others returning to their pre-war callings, having come to the Association for the duration of the war only. In 1945, a day of prayer was planned for the Association on 5 June, with all branches, associates and members uniting in prayer, praise and worship, and to remember its profound work during the war. Those prayers were answered by 1948, in the provision of forty-six full-time and forty-seven part-time Readers, to serve Him and continue the Association’s work.

TACTICAL

Scripture Readers were recognised by the War Office, commanders and Chaplains as a force multiplier with their integration enhancing the overall effectiveness of warfighting. Throughout the UK and in combat zones, in soldiers’ homes, tented camps, military hospitals, barrack blocks and messes, Scripture Readers provided prayer, spiritual nourishment and welfare to soldiers, sailors and aviators preparing for war; some Readers deployed to combat zones. New Zealander Robert Laidlaw was on holiday in the UK at the start of the war and, having prayed on his knees

for God’s guidance, decided to remain in Britain rather than return home with his family. From 1939 onwards, Robert gave this Association much valuable service as one of its Field Directors. Then, soon after D-Day, he deployed as superintendent of the first ten Scripture Readers into Normandy, to provide gospelcentred spiritual welfare. One Reader followed the British Liberation Army (BLA) from Normandy beaches all the way to Berlin. They eventually established a full weekly programme of Bible classes and gospel services in bombed-out Berlin.

God answered prayer as He continues today, yet we also know that even Christians are susceptible to the ways of this world. ASR & SACA took its share of casualties. Scripture Reader Frederick Alfred Howe had been a Reader since 1935 and was invalided home from Egypt in July 1942. During the voyage home his ship was sunk by enemy action, and he was reported as ‘missing at sea’. Frederick had served on active service in Palestine, prior to the outbreak of war. Later, having deployed with the BEF in Europe, he was evacuated from Dunkirk. He immediately volunteered for service in the Middle East and on to Egypt. Scripture Reader Cyril Wakelin Morriss was also called to glory during the war, on 9 November 1943, after only a few days of illness.

‘Prayers at the strategic, operational and tactical levels were answered in favour of the Allies and against the Axis powers.’

An advert for ASR & SACA from November 1940.

‘By May 2025, we shall have eighteen salaried Scripture Readers, more than at any time since the 1960s.’

Cyril had offered himself to the Association and after home service in various camps, he was posted to Palestine to superintend the ‘Cluden’ Hut, where he grew attendance respectably. He was buried in Ramleh, leaving a widow and child. Frederick and Cyril were faithful Reader-ambassadors for Christ.

Alongside our two Readers, many more serving SACA members also perished including, late on in the war, Flight Sergeant Hadley Abraham (RAF), Engine Room Artificer General Servant Ashworth (Royal Navy), Lance Bombardier W. C. Page (Royal Artillery) and Private W. B. Seath (Black Watch). Surviving casualties are too many to mention, including serving Council member Lieutenant Colonel G. G. S. Clarke (Royal Engineers), wounded in the right arm while serving with the BLA. Several Readers and members also succumbed to the scourge of what we now describe as mental illnesses and moral injuries.

In summary, without prayer and God’s intervention, greater death and carnage would have prevailed, even with victory. The US President, our King and many senior military officers unashamedly called for prayer, even leading military personnel and civilians in individual and group prayer and worship. Most UK citizens responded to such calls, demonstrating that they

understood the power of prayer and faith.

SASRA grew and deployed significant numbers of branches, associates and Readers worldwide to bring spiritual nourishment to those preparing for war and those deployed. Prayers at the strategic, operational and tactical levels were answered in favour of the Allies and against the Axis powers. We can only decry Christianity’s decreasing influence in the West when the evidence of its truth is so stark.

Last year we asked for God’s provision of up to four new Scripture Readers. Eighty years after He answered a similar prayer favourably. He answered similarly once more such that by May 2025, we shall have eighteen salaried Scripture Readers, more than at any time since the 1960s. Be heartened therefore, together with knowing that both Army and RAF acknowledge how SASRA’s charitable support has a direct impact on operational effectiveness and the delivery of Defence outputs, which in glorifying God, is why we exist.

By Lt Col (Retd) Dr Martin Gliniecki QGM, Executive Director

Prayer continues to fuel the work that our Scripture Readers do. © SASRA Copyright.

Take HEART

‘Take heart.’ Imagine hearing those two words, as the disciples often did, from the mouth of God Himself in the flesh. And yet how flat these words can fall when we say them to our own hearts. If only we could redirect our hearts. None of us wants to be down. Far too often though, our hearts seem to lie beyond our reach, outside our control.

However discouraged you may feel, your flagging heart never lies beyond the reach of Christ. No matter how troubled, how unsettled, how fickle, how disorientated, how despondent, Jesus can handle your ailing heart. ‘There are many sorts of broken hearts,’ says Charles Spurgeon, ‘and Christ is good at healing them all.’

Jesus knows the human heart. He made it, and then He took one Himself when He became man. He knows, as both God and

In every valley of life, Jesus offers hope and calls His followers to ‘Take heart.’

man, how to furnish courage to a fearful heart. He knows how to parcel joy to a sad heart. He is skilful at giving strength, in perfect measure, to a weak heart; peace to an anxious heart; forgiveness to a guilty heart; and wholeness to a broken heart.

And how does He choose, over and over again, to do so? He speaks. What would He have us do when our hearts are wilting? Rehear His words.

He made our human hearts and souls to respond to the touch of His words, with the aid of His Spirit. When our strength is low and our faith is failing, He means for us to receive the grace of His words. We are prone in our pain to underestimate the power of His words — to set His words aside for other comforts, whether entertainment, or food, or drink, or work, or human relationships.

‘No matter how troubled, how unsettled, how fickle, how disorientated, how despondent, Jesus can handle your ailing heart.’

© SASRA

‘He is skilful at giving strength, in perfect measure, to a weak heart; peace to an anxious heart; forgiveness to a guilty heart; and wholeness to a broken heart.’

When Jesus speaks to us, some of the most common and distinctive words we hear are, ‘Take heart.’ He doesn’t say, ‘Follow your hearts,’ but take them — take them from the pit, from the subtle and seemingly inescapable delusion they are under, and remind them of who He is, what He has done, and what He will do. He rolls back the stone and speaks into the tomb of our souls. He creates what He commands, as He says with sovereign sway, ‘Take heart.’

Matthew 14 describes one of the most stunning events in the ministry of Christ — a peculiar miracle reserved for His disciples. It was not a healing with an accompanying word, but simply a striking revelation of who He is.

He had sent His men on a boat to the other side of the sea, while He stayed behind to pray. On the water, the disciples were met with fierce winds and were unable to make headway. Then, in the middle of the night, Jesus came ‘to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and

they cried out in fear’ (Matt. 14: 25–26). Their hearts are deeply shaken. They are terrified. They cry out in fear. But Jesus speaks a word to them: ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid’ (v.27). Literally, His words are ‘Take heart, I am’ — which has a double meaning: ‘It is I, Jesus, whom you know,’ and ‘I am the Great I Am.’ As when Moses asked for God’s name, and He said, ‘I AM WHO I AM’ (Ex. 3:14), so Jesus now declares to His disciples, ‘I Am.’

When Jesus tells us to take heart, He does so as God Himself. ‘I am God, and there is no other,’ He says. ‘I am your Creator. I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I am God Himself, made human, dwelling among you — and I am for you. Do not be afraid. You are under my watch and care and no storm, however great, can match my power and protection. Take heart; I Am.’

By Rev Phil Parker, Ministry Director

A Peace THAT LASTS

We

celebrate another year of peacetime, but wars and rumours of wars remain.

At the end of the First World War, David Lloyd George stated, ‘I hope we may say that thus, this fateful morning, came to an end all wars.’ Twenty years later, the former Prime Minister’s hopes were dashed as World War II began.

Peacetime became a distant memory over those six years, where 384,000 British soldiers and 70,000 civilians were killed. When victory was declared in Europe on 8 May 1945, perhaps Britain dared hope, once again, that it would be the war to end all wars. Indeed, for eighty years, we have enjoyed a period of peace, won by the brave men and women who sacrificed so much and gave their lives in service of King and country.

It seems strange that just five years ago, SASRA planned the Peace 2020 campaign to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, where supporters were encouraged to have street parties in celebration of that occasion that marked the end of the conflict. Today, the global situation has significantly changed, so much so that in July 2024, the head of the British Army, General Sir Roland Walker stated, ‘Britain must be ready to fight a war in three years.’ Once again, the peace that Britain has enjoyed for eighty years is under threat.

‘Conflicts begin and end, and the world is left longing for an end of all wars, a peace that lasts.’

Questions arise of what was it all for? A period of peacetime only to be shaken by wars and rumours of wars once more.

Yet, global tensions and conflict should not come as a surprise, but a sobering reminder of the depth of humanity’s rejection of God and its devastating consequences. Living in rebellion against the powerful, sovereign Creator is to fight a losing battle where the result is unrest and destruction. Conflicts begin and end, and the world is left longing for an end of all wars, a peace that lasts.

The Christian’s personal experience isn’t dissimilar. If someone is following Jesus, their status before God is that they are forgiven and clothed with the righteousness of His Son. However, there is a daily battle with sin, an internal conflict where they do what they ought not to do and don’t do what they ought to do. And then the life of the Christian is marred by sickness, disappointment, stress, grief, uncertainty and fear.

© Crown copyright, WAAF armourer, based at Coningsby in Lincolnshire, belting up ammunition for a Lancaster, February 1944.

‘We do not know what the future holds, but we do know that the majority of those who are preparing to lay their lives down in the event of a war have very little understanding of who Jesus is.’

Somewhat paradoxically, the Christian delights in their peace with God won through Christ and takes comfort from God-given peace amid adversity, but they long for peace that lasts.

The peacetime that has been enjoyed and the peace a Christian has with God ultimately provide a foretaste, a glimpse of the lasting peace found only in God’s new creation, where He will make all things new.

The call for readiness made by General Walker must not only encompass the physical, emotional and mental readiness

holds, but we do know that the majority of those who are preparing to lay their lives down in the event of a war have very little understanding of who Jesus is. And yet there is an openness to know more. Each day, military personnel are confronted with the reality of life and death as they train to fight, questions about faith rise and a hunger grows. While the Lord alone knows what lies ahead, as our military readies itself, let’s make sure they know about the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Join our Special Virtual Prayer Meeting as we commemorate eighty years of peacetime and pray for members of today’s Armed Forces.

Thursday 8 May 14:00 & 19:30 For details, email: admin@sasra.org.uk

© Crown copyright Paratroopers during a live firing exercise.

Heartened in the DAILY TASKS

Finding encouragement while working from home.

As a Major in the Army Reserve, I recently attended the Army’s ‘Op TEAMWORK’ training day in my unit. Across the Army, regiments stopped what they were doing to focus on teamwork and cohesion. A useful activity in a military setting, it gave me reason to pause and consider my role in SASRA, and how blessed I am to enjoy a supportive working environment and colleagues who epitomise these values.

In recent days, I have been developing the online event, ‘Sharing Your Faith’, which will have aired by the time you read this. When you work from home, in the physical absence of friends and work colleagues, it is so easy to feel isolated, listless and even demoralised. A task can easily become daunting, but I have found this not to be the case at SASRA. The staff in HQ have a variety of different character traits, abilities and strengths, all of which are utilised to help each other, both across the virtual domain and in Havelock House. I’ve enjoyed fellowship, encouragement, guidance, direction, assistance and prayer in support of this and other tasks. The most readily available resource I

‘As a home worker, the fellowship and assistance of my colleagues in HQ make my daily tasks enjoyable.’

enjoy is an abundance of individuals who selflessly offer their best to make each other’s project or event succeed.

In 1 Corinthians 12:24(b) – 26, the Apostle Paul states, ‘But God has so composed the body, giving greater honour to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together’. Although clearly speaking about the church, I have found this model to be exemplified in my friends and colleagues, not just within the headquarters, but across the Scripture Readers and our supporters in the church. As a home worker, the fellowship and assistance of my colleagues in HQ make my daily tasks enjoyable. With their support and encouragement, I have plenty of reasons to be heartened.

By Andrew McMahon, Regional Manager North

New Heart NEW START

Jim left SASRA in 2022, but following a successful heart transplant, he has returned as a part-time Scripture Reader.

In November 2022 I very reluctantly left the work of SASRA through ill health.

Having been sent to Papworth Heart Hospital twice for possible heart transplant assessments, I knew my heart failure was getting worse, but I still hung onto the gospel account in John 11:4 where Jesus told his disciples, in relation to Lazarus, ‘This sickness is not unto death but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it’ (NKJV).

The Papworth assessments were unsuccessful, and I wasn’t listed for heart transplantation. Both my wife Shirley and I came to the conclusion that the transplantation door was closed.

On our return to Stoke-on-Trent, my cardiac consultant requested a second opinion, so I was sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham for assessment. This time it was successful, and I was put on the routine transplant list in December 2023.

On 22 April 2024, I was awoken from a nap with a phone call from the hospital. The transplant nurse asked how long it would take me to get to hospital if they called me. There was a possible heart available, and she would call me back once she had spoken to the surgeon. She called back. We were on our way.

Our journey there was serene; we were both perfectly calm, remembering our prayer that if God was to give me a new heart, it would be a perfect match and that all would go well. We had asked friends and family from all over the world to hold us in prayer.

We arrived at the hospital at 19:00, by 23:00, I was prepped for theatre

By ASR Jim Henderson

and by 01:00, after saying goodbye to Shirley, I was in the care of the anaesthetist. Shirley was in the waiting room until 04:00, when she was told the operation was going ahead. The procedure went well, and I came through it okay. Everything was not plain sailing, however, and the following months were a rollercoaster of emotions, but the Lord was our strength through it all.

I always felt that my time as a Scripture Reader ended too soon, so I approached SASRA’s Executive Director and asked to be considered again as a part-time Reader. I am thrilled to have been reaccepted into the work and am looking forward to starting in May.

Jim had a heart transplant in April 2024 and is looking forward to returning to SASRA as a part-time Scripture Reader.

Nailing Colours TO THE MAST

On 2 February, three recruits were baptised at the Chapel of the Light Division, ATR Winchester.

Recruit ‘D’ started enquiring about baptism at a parade service in December 2024. He asked if you could have believer’s baptism after being christened. He went on to inform me that as a young man, he had drifted from his faith; but now that he had come back to it, he wished to nail his colours to the mast.

I sought to find out if there was some sort of official service that allowed people to reaffirm their faith in a public way. Thankfully, after a little research, my Chaplain came up with an ‘Affirmation of Faith’ service.

‘S’ was another trainee who had started attending my midweek Bible studies and prayer times. At the end of January, she too mentioned that she’d like to publicly reaffirm her faith, and so I passed her name onto the Chaplain.

At the same time, recruit ‘P’ also requested that she be baptised; she had come to faith while in basic training. Things had started to gain momentum, and preparations went into overdrive as two of the trainees were due to be discharged. We wanted to facilitate their public witness before they left — time was of the essence.

‘The three recruits were able to publicly declare of their faith in Christ before seventy-one individuals who had assembled that morning.’

By ASR Lee Philipson, ATR Winchester & Perham Down

And so, on 2 February, the three recruits were able to publicly declare of their faith in Christ before seventyone individuals who had assembled that morning. At the end, I was privileged to present them all with a personalised Bible and a reading booklet entitled 100 Days from the Armed Forces Christian Union.

The following week, ‘D’ was discharged from the Army. Please pray that he will attend a church that will encourage him and build him up in his renewed faith. At the time of writing, ‘S’ is waiting for her discharge and is job hunting. Please pray that she might find similar support. ‘P’ has moved on to her phase two training and on to her unit. May she ‘let [her] light shine before others, so that they may see [her] good works and give glory to [her] Father who is in heaven’ (Matt. 5:16).

The three recruits publicly declared their faith in Christ before their peers.

If you’re not online, you can give by cheque (made payable to ‘SASRA’) or over the phone by calling 03000 301 302 and using your debit/credit card.

If you are able to gift aid your donation, or would like to give regularly, please get in touch and we will provide further details.

Saved For GOOD WORKS

‘For

we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.’ – Eph. 2:10

I used to work as a hod carrier on a building site. On 4 July 1985, I was just about to load some concrete blocks and stood on the bottom of a slope. Suddenly, someone shouted, ‘Watch out!’ As I turned, I saw a JCB rolling down a hill towards me. It pinned me against a stack of concrete blocks; I could not move at all and was stuck for about five minutes. There was no driver; it became clear that the JCB had a faulty handbrake. When the driver returned, he reversed the machine and saved my life. My intervertebral discs, muscles and nerves were left damaged, which caused a great deal of pain. It also took nine long years for the compensation to be settled.

In the years that followed, I continued to suffer with my back and battled with depression. After I suffered a breakdown, my wife divorced me, and my doctor sectioned me for a month in a psychiatric hospital. While my time in hospital was helpful, it did not solve any of my problems.

I was later discharged and lived with my parents, who were a reliable source of comfort, but I wanted my family back. One Sunday in September 1994, I was walking past the Coign Church, and something prompted me to go in while the meeting was in progress.

The pastor took me under his wing, and I learnt of the importance of having a relationship with God. After some time, I asked the Lord Jesus into my life and the healing process began. All my worries and problems became easier to cope with, and when there were hard decisions to be

made, Jesus was faithful. He helped me to quit smoking after eighteen years without any withdrawal symptoms and wonderfully removed the suicidal thoughts I’d battled with. Since giving my life to Jesus, I have been able to cope much better with the problems that arise. I began attending the Coign Church regularly and worked for Age Concern before becoming a carer with Home Instead. During my time with them, I injured my back badly and had to stop working.

After moving house, I began attending Emmaus Road Aldershot where I met SASRA’s Finance Director Phil Rush. He asked if I wanted to volunteer to do some archiving there and so I jumped at the opportunity. Over six months, I created a searchable archive of the historical SASRA publications so that it would be easily accessible to HQ staff and Scripture Readers. I did this by scanning all the books going back to the 1870s and I have now started scanning photographs. I learned that SASRA has been going since 1838 and that they have a rich history of speaking the Word of God to military personnel, both in this country and abroad. I have enjoyed volunteering for SASRA and have found that all their staff are very welcoming and friendly. I encourage anyone to volunteer for the Association and help spread the Word of God.

By Armindo Lago, SASRA Volunteer

Share our mission and prayer needs with your church, inspiring your church to partner with us in this vital gospel work.

A Better LIFE

Our newest Scripture Reader found a better life in Jesus and wants to tell others ‘behind the wire’ to do the same.

‘If there was a God, then I was blaming Him for what had happened.’

I grew up in East Belfast in a Christian home. Despite all the trouble in Northern Ireland, life for our family was good. My parents’ desire for my two sisters and I was that we would come to saving faith in the Lord Jesus. I remember my father bought us a very large and colourful illustrated Bible, which he would read to us each evening.

In April 1979, our world fell apart when my father passed away following an accident at work. My mother, two sisters and I were totally devastated. I was only eleven at the time and I remember asking my mother whether God loved us. ‘Of course, son’, was her reply. ‘Well, why has this happened mummy?’ My mother put her arm around me and just whispered in my ear. She said that there are things in this life that we can’t explain but that we always remember that God’s ways are best. This was just something I couldn’t even begin to understand. If there was a God, then I was blaming Him for what had happened. So, at that young age, I no longer wanted to hear my mother read from our illustrated Bible and I no longer wanted to attend church; I was looking for an escape from everything.

‘Life was good again, but I had made so many wrong choices, which had led to the wrong company.’

At sixteen-years-old, I joined the Royal Irish Rangers and trained at St Patrick’s Barracks. I loved the Army way of life and the camaraderie. After training, I was posted to the 1st Battalion who, at that time, had left Chester and so a six-year posting to Osnabruck in West Germany began. I did two MedMan Exercises in Canada and then I was off to Northern

UK MOD © Crown copyright 2019

Ireland for the Op Banner Tour in Co. Fermanagh. Life was good again, but I had made so many wrong choices, which had led to the wrong company. Very soon I faced criminal charges, all related to the difficulties in Northern Ireland. At the close of my week-long trial, I changed my ‘not guilty’ plea to ‘guilty’, which resulted in serving a ten-year prison sentence.

With my Army background, I settled into prison life and just got on with it. But in a block of a few hundred men God had His man — a prisoner who had committed his life to the Lord Jesus. Along with others, I mocked and ridiculed this lad, we went out of our way just to make life difficult for him. But no matter what, that lad still spoke of his faith and trust in the Lord and how a change for the better could take place in our lives. After several months, I was having a wash and shave at the sinks and a thought came into my mind. Why didn’t I just try going along to church with this lad?

Sure, if nothing else, it would get me out the block for an hour. Seconds later, the thought was gone but that lad passed the sinks, looked at me and said, ‘I know why you’re up early this morning. You’re coming to church with me!’ So off I went to church that morning — it wasn’t what I expected! Over fifty were there and when the prison Chaplain began to speak, no one said a word — all listened. For a number of months, I was off to church on Sunday mornings and like the rest, just sat and listened. The prison Chaplain was a friendly man who always made time to speak to us. When on the block, he always popped his head into my cell and asked if he could come in for a chat. He’d sit on the end of the bed and before he left, he’d ask to read some Scripture and to pray. I never objected. Deep down, I knew I was under conviction of sin.

‘As I considered my life, I acknowledged there was certainly no rest nor peace.’

From what my parents had told me, I knew that there was a God who had sent His Son into the world to take the place of sinners. I knew that if I continued to reject God, I’d be eternally separated from Him. I knew my lifestyle was wrong but there was no way I was becoming a Christian. What would the others think? For months, I kept putting up excuse after excuse. But as the excuses were going up, the Lord was taking them down. As I attended church again one Sunday, the Chaplain spoke of Christ’s love and how it was a first love and a forgiving love. I remembered a little song my father sang to us as children:

—— o

Let the Lord have His way

In your life everyday

There’s no rest there’s no peace

Until the Lord has His way

Place your life in His hands

Rest secure in His plans

Let the Lord let the Lord Have His way.

—— o

It was ringing in my ears and that morning, Isaiah 53:5–6 became so real: ‘But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned — every one — to His own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.’ As I considered my life, I acknowledged there was certainly no rest nor peace. It was a total mess, all because I didn’t know the Prince of Peace, the Lord

John remembers the prison Chaplain, who always made time to read from God’s Word with him and the other prisoners.

‘It has been a long journey with many twists and turns but a road knowing that God hears and answers prayer.’

Jesus Christ. Following that service, I knelt in my cell and simply called upon the Lord for His mercy. I asked that He would take this mess of a life and change it. I asked that He would forgive me for the wrong choices and actions and make me a new person in Christ.

Shortly after becoming a Christian, I wrote a letter to SASRA telling them of my conversion. I asked that they’d pass this onto Scripture Reader Paul Somerville who I’d known from secondary school. SASRA wrote back and sent some books to read, which would help me in my walk with God. Paul also wrote and on occasions, visited me while in prison.

The Northern Ireland peace process brought in some changes, and I was released under the Good Friday agreement.

Now we’re into 2025. It has been a long journey with many twists and turns but a road knowing that God hears and answers prayer. Any man in Christ is a new creature; the old has passed away, he has been made new.

In the coming days, I’m looking forward to rolling up the sleeves of a barrack shirt and serving the Lord in Leuchars Army base in Fife, Scotland. I’m excited to work alongside faithful men and women and to be present as one who can tell others that there is a better life to live by simply following Jesus.

By John Miskelly, Scripture Reader

John looks forward to serving soldiers ‘behind the wire’ as a Scripture Reader.

Doors of Beloved Institution CLOSE AFTER 40 YEARS

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that the Jackson Club closes its doors this month.

The Jackson Club is the surviving legacy of the network of Miss Daniell’s Soldiers’ Homes launched in 1863.

I joined the team at the Jackson Club four years ago during the COVID-19 outbreak. It was a sad time for both the soldiers and staff, not being able to freely engage in the regular day-to-day activities of the club. The Jackson Club had been forced to close for trade.

After the full reopening of the club in April 2022, our missional engagement recommenced with much vigour. Mike Blackstock was appointed as our resident Scripture Reader and together, we ran several Christian-themed food campaigns accompanied by fully stocked resource tables with Bibles, tracts and other Christian literature. We teamed up with the Chaplaincy at Gibraltar Barracks to co-host a Remembrance Day event which expanded to include several additional events at Easter, Remembrance and Christmas. Also, Mike was able to run Bible studies and counselling sessions in the club for soldiers.

For me, one of the most impactful moments in the Jackson Club was at an Easter reflection last year. Fourteen soldiers joined us for a special meeting where we reflected on the significance of several symbols of the crucifixion. There were opportunities for worship, prayer and the sharing of an Easter devotion. Even now, I thank God that the club was used for this event.

While we would greatly love to continue running the Jackson Club, it is not possible in the current economic climate. For several years now, the Jackson Club has been subsidised by charitable giving to support the wellbeing of soldiers serving and training in Minley. Over the last decade, the running costs have grown to an unsustainable level and a declining footfall at Minley has further challenged the efficacy with which we fulfil our charity’s mission and priorities.

‘The

Jackson Club is a much-loved welfare facility, a unique space where soldiers of all ranks have gathered to eat, to relax, to connect with others and to find support.’

In our lifetime, many have used terms like ‘beloved institution’ to describe the Jackson Club, favoured by The Royal Engineers (past and present) and all other regiments based at Gibraltar Barracks. On the surface it looks like a regular high street café, but it is more than that. The Jackson Club is a much-loved welfare facility, a unique space where soldiers of all ranks have gathered to eat, to relax, to connect with others and to find support. A plate of cheesy beans on toast is an absolute must, a rite of passage for every soldier.

The staff exude friendliness, a willingness to listen and provide practical support, especially to those who have run out of cash. We have celebrated with many soldiers who have passed driving tests, married, become parents and advanced in their military careers. Our patrons are more than customers;

they are participants in an experience that will never be forgotten.

As a result of the closure, we will be saying farewell to Scripture Reader Kevin Wadsworth after eighteen years of service. Kevin is highly regarded by the Chain of Command, the soldiers (past and present) and the Jackson Club staff. Other notable farewells include Rebecca French, Louise Grinton and Sharon Strachan who have served soldiers for twenty years, seventeen years and fifteen years respectively.

It has been a privilege to serve the soldiers at Gibraltar Barracks for the past forty years.

By Colin Williams, Facilities Director PRAYER POINTS

» Praise God for the Jackson Club and all who have passed through its doors over the past forty years.

» Pray that the love and care shown and gospel seeds sown at the Jackson Club would still resonate in the hearts and minds of military personnel, past and present.

» Give thanks for the utter commitment shown by ASR Kevin Wadsworth and the Jackson Club staff. Pray the LORD would provide them with what they need and grant them peace as the club closes.

The Jackson Club has provided food, Christian literature and a ‘home from home’ environment for service personnel.

He Hears US

It can feel as though the Lord doesn’t hear our prayers at times, but He always hears, always listens and always answers.

Sometimes, when we pray, it feels like God’s just not hearing us.

We cry out to the Lord to bring healing to a sick loved one who never gets better. We plead with Him to bring an unbelieving relative to salvation, but they remain indifferent. We pray for a spouse or a family of our own, but our circumstances don’t change.

It can be so easy to doubt that God is in control, to doubt that He is good, to doubt that He is listening. We pray and we pray and we pray, but it’s as though our prayers aren’t going anywhere.

But take heart and pray on! For the LORD of the universe does hear us. Not only that, He listens to us and He always answers us, according to His good purposes. This is easy enough to say, but in the pit of a valley, it can be hard to trust that any good will come out of our afflictions. It’s reassuring to look at Job and others who have gone before us and wrestled with these things. And to see that despite appearances, the Lord was and is truly in control and good all the time. His ways are higher than our ways

(Isa. 55:9) and we can trust that He cares for us and knows what is best for us.

Over the last four years, SASRA staff and supporters have faithfully and persistently prayed for so many different people and situations. To highlight a few:

» For more Scripture Readers

» That God would grow our work within the RAF

» That we would meet our 2024 fundraising target

» For good working relationships with the Chaplaincy and Chain of Command

» For the provision of security clearance for our Readers

» That God would open doors for the gospel at the Edinburgh Tattoo outreach

» That serving Christians would partner with us as SASRA members

» That soldiers and aviators would repent and put their faith in Jesus.

‘Over the last four years, SASRA staff and supporters have faithfully and persistently prayed for so many different people and situations.’

To some of these things, the Lord has said, ‘yes’ and we praise Him for His kindness!

Wonderfully, God used the generosity of supporters to provide the funds we needed to reach our fundraising target last year. This, in turn, has enabled us to recruit more Scripture Readers (read more on page 7). We now have more RAF Scripture Readers posted to stations than we have done for many years. Our Readers continuously share stories of military personnel surrendering their lives to Christ and growing in their knowledge, fear and love of Him. The answer and outcome to other matters we pray for remains, for now,

unclear. It could be that the Lord is saying, ‘no’ or that He is simply saying, ‘wait.’ Whatever the outcome, we can take heart and pray on persistently and expectantly, trusting that the Lord absolutely hears us, that He cares for us and that He loves to give His children good gifts. We are so thankful for your ongoing prayers for the work of SASRA and hope you are encouraged to see how the Lord is so marvellously answering them.

For regular updates on how the Lord is answering our prayers for the work, join our monthly Virtual Prayer Meetings or sign up to receive our Daily Prayer Updates.

By Laura Reuter, Prayer Coordinator

Hear from Scripture Readers and pray with the team at the

First Thursday of each month on Zoom at 14:00 and 19:30

Farewell to JOHN SURTEES

After exactly ten years with SASRA, we bade farewell to John Surtees in the first week of February.

John began his time with SASRA as our Area Representative for Scotland in January 2015. He spent many years establishing good relationships with churches and individual supporters there.

Once it became obvious that COVID would cause us a lengthy absence from churches, the Area Representative role was made redundant and John joined SASRA Headquarters as our first dedicated Communications Officer, working from home near Edinburgh.

As churches remained closed and supporters grew in confidence online, it became clear that our Communications

Last POST

team needed expanding. The team grew and developed, and John capably established our eNewsletter as the cornerstone of our monthly communications — his faithful stewardship of the Ready magazine also enabled us to continue with our flagship publication well, as John maintained the quality of the work that Maureen McCormack had established before him.

As we now look to develop in other areas, we remain very grateful to John for his decade of service and his help in establishing our Communications team, and we thank him for all his hard work and dedication to the cause.

We remember SASRA Vice President Richard Llewellyn.

SASRA is saddened by the recent loss of our longest-standing Vice President, Major General (Retd) Revd Richard Morgan Llewellyn CB OBE, after a short battle with cancer. Revd Morgan became a SASRA Council member while still serving in 1987, having come to faith late in his military career.

In 1996, five years after retiring from the Army, and by then an ordained minister in the Church of England, he became a Vice President of the Association and remained in appointment until his recent call to glory.

Condolences have been sent from the Association to his wife Elizabeth (Polly) and their five children. Following a telephone call with Revd Morgan, SASRA’s Executive

Director Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Dr Martin Gliniecki QGM commented:

‘I am grateful to have had a little time talking to Revd Llewellyn on the telephone recently, and was honoured that he felt able to share the sad news of his terminal illness with me, and while terribly saddened by it, I also felt inspired by his peace and the trust he had placed in the Lord’s hands — it was very, very encouraging. I thanked him for being a Vice President, for his love of and prayers for the Association and its mission, and all while suffering.’

PRAYER POINTS

» Give thanks for Revd Richard Llewellyn’s life and service to God, our nation and the work of SASRA.

» Praise God that Revd Llewellyn had entrusted his circumstances into the Lord’s loving care and was at peace ahead of his promotion to glory. Give thanks that he is now home with his Saviour.

» Pray for Elizabeth Llewellyn and the wider family as they process and grieve their loss. May the Lord make His presence known to them and may they experience His comfort through this season.

Maj Gen R.M. Llewellyn (L) addressing Gurkhas at a meeting. Ready

Eternal VALUE A of LEGACY

In an extraordinary 2024, the gifts received by SASRA from the wills of supporters contributed some 30% of our total income.

Yet even with the new Scripture Readers added last year, and the two new ASRs we are due to employ in May, we must recruit a further six to be at full strength. In recognition, we will be launching a new initiative for our valued supporters: starting in April, we will be trialling a partnership with the Free Wills Network for those who would like to plan ahead.

for your continued

Called HOME

William Donnell served as a Scripture Reader between 1999 – 2009.

Late on Wednesday 23 October 2024, I learnt of the home call of William Donnell. William’s health had been deteriorating over the recent weeks and at 17:30 in the Antrim Hospital, only a short distance away from his home, William was called into the presence of his Saviour. A service of thanksgiving was held in his home church, 1st Antrim Presbyterian on 29 October. William was called to service as a Scripture Reader after the then Area Representative for Northern Ireland, Jim Moore, visited 1st Antrim to speak about the work of SASRA. William loved soldiering; he had been a Sergeant in the Army during the dark days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and had endured the stresses of working within the military intelligence community. By his own admission, back in those days he had relied on his own strength and used alcohol to cover up and forget his problems. His wife Joan and their five children were

By ASR Paul Somerville, Northern Ireland

ever supportive but with the long hours, the stresses and strains the job brought, he felt that his family were missing out.

William said that on the night he was saved, ‘I surrendered and confessed my sins, leaving my burden at the cross and accepted Jesus Christ as my own personal Saviour. All my old desires flowed away and now through peace and joy a new person was born’.

A short time later William suffered a heart attack, and though he recovered he was medically discharged from the Army. He had a thirst for the Word of God and now with time on his hands, he set about completing a series of Bible correspondence courses that led to him attending Belfast Bible College for two years. He taught in Sunday school and was actively involved in his home church. Then Jim Moore arrived to speak about the work among HM Forces.

William heard the call from God to his heart to serve once again in uniform, but this time as an evangelist to the military. His love for the Lord was paramount and this spilled over towards his love for service men and women.

William joined the Northern Ireland team in 1999, serving the Lord as a part-time Scripture Reader. He spent time visiting

‘William will be remembered by his godly life and fervent evangelism.’

Antrim Camp (Royal Engineers), then in 2002 he drew alongside the Royal Irish Rangers at the training depot in Ballymena. After a very short spell of ‘retirement’ in 2005, he returned to serve the Lord at RAF Aldergrove for a further three years. William was most at home talking to service personnel about his Saviour, and it didn’t matter whether the person he chatted to wore a Royal Engineers’ cap badge, an Irish Ranger caubeen or a RAF beret, he saw them as precious souls. With his health beginning to fail, William stood down as a Scripture Reader in 2009. Throughout those years he was greatly supported by his dear wife Joan. William had a fine sense of humour, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him share his reports of his visits at our monthly prayer meetings. He was welcomed wherever he went, whether it was in the barrack blocks, the cookhouse, the Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ mess, the crew rooms or indeed even the custody centre. But William would often remind us that the work of a Scripture Reader was not easy and of the necessity of prayer. William did have his discouragements along the way, but as he often said, ‘the Lord always provides me with a source of encouragement to carry on.’

William will be remembered by his godly life and fervent evangelism. He will be sorely missed, and our thoughts and prayers are very much with Joan and their family.

Photos top to bottom: William served as a Scripture Reader for ten years in Northern Ireland; William photographed with his wife Joan; William loved the Lord and telling military personnel about Him.

‘Will was a big blessing to me as a young officer in Ballymena Barracks in 2004. William mentioned me (discreetly) in the 2004 edition of Ready, and I like to think that I was blessed through the prayers of the saints, prompted by that mention (along with three other serving Christians). I remember one of my Corporals (now a Late Entry Officer in the RIFLES), walking into a room, only to see Will and I crouched over in prayer. He did a quick about turn and left us to it. The recruits loved William. A faithful man, literally known as, “Bible Billy.” An excellent example of service to the King.’

Andrew McMahon, Regional Manager North

Supporter LETTERS

It is good to see the SASRA team each month for the prayer meeting. I find it very helpful.

SASRA supporter

Thank you for the Daily Prayer Updates and for the encouraging work that all of you at SASRA do.

SASRA supporter

I read ‘SASRA in the Troubles’ in the Autumn 2024 issue of Ready, which I’d picked up at my local church. I read it with interest, particularly the section on the 1970s. While I appreciate that not every Scripture Reader can be mentioned by name, it would be remiss of me not to mention the late ASR Len Cooper. During my two years at RAF Aldergrove between 1971–1973, he was a great support, opening up his home, taking me on church visits, introducing me to other Christians and just being an encourager. He was one of the most godly men that I have ever met.

Robert Sharp

Thank you for the information you provide to our missionary secretary, which is displayed on our missionary table in the church. Our recent SASRA visit was really enlightening and encouraging. We got an insight into the impact of the organisation and the individual lives blessed. It’s really great to see God at work in difficult circumstances. We continue to pray for SASRA, its workers and volunteers, both in the UK and further afield.

SASRA supporting church

Send your letters to:

SASRA, Havelock House, Barrack Road, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 3NP

Correction:

In the previous Ready magazine, Autumn 2024, page 9, an assessment was made that the late Scripture Reader Johnny Neill suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder in 1979, based on the effects of his previous abduction and release by the IRA and IRA events in 1979. We withdraw that assessment and any other inference concerning Johnny Neill’s mental health.

Announcements

It is with sadness that we announce the deaths of former Finance Secretary Laurence Woodcock and Ruth Barbour, the late wife of former Scripture Reader Bob Barbour.

Part of the Eternal SASRA LEGACY

We remember former Scripture Reader Alan Mace.

Former Army Scripture Reader

Alan Victor Patrick Mace peacefully passed to glory on 12 October 2024, aged ninety-five, having battled with cancer for some time.

Alan was born in Norwich, grew up in Essex and trained as a sign writer towards the end of the war. He married Wendy in 1951 and became a Christian following a Billy Graham event in 1954. Alan spoke all over the Essex countryside about Jesus and became a lay preacher.

On 19 January 1973, Alan — a former Royal Engineer during his National Service — joined SASRA as a part-time Army Scripture Reader before becoming a full-time Reader in 1977. He worked in Colchester Garrison and then Aldershot, evangelising soldiers and their families while supported by Wendy. This was to prove a wonderful ministry to our troops and perfect preparation for

Alan’s next calling to full-time preaching ministry in 1978, which he went on to commit to for the next thirty-six years. Alan is survived by his four children: Jem, Clark, Liana and Owen Mace, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

So, take heart, no matter their length of service and where God calls them subsequently, all Scripture Readers remain part of the eternal SASRA legacy. It was a privilege for our Executive Director to attend Alan’s thanksgiving service last year, along with other SASRA supporters, and for Alan‘s family to choose SASRA as the beneficiary of the thanksgiving service collection.

By Lt Col (Retd) Dr Martin Gliniecki QGM, Executive Director

‘No matter their length of service and where God calls them subsequently, all Scripture Readers remain part of the eternal SASRA legacy.’

Alan and Wendy Mace supported troops in Colchester and Aldershot Garrison.

Who Do You Say THAT I AM?

‘Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”’ Matt. 16:13–16

‘Everyone here is in the military for a reason. A lot of the time, that reason is that they want to find purpose, they want a sense of belonging or they are looking for identity. And a lot of the time, they find that it is just not satisfying. It satisfies to a point, but then they need to look for the next thing: the next promotion, the next course, the next achievement. It is always, “What’s next?”

‘When you come in as a Scripture Reader with the gospel and you’re talking about peace, joy and hope, most of them are craving exactly that. You offer the gospel, and they realise that there is real peace, joy and hope in this.

‘A lot of the time, I think people in the forces find the gospel message hard to receive because it is so counterintuitive to their lifestyle. Not just in their life outside of work, but culturally in the military, everything is earned. Everything is about climbing the ladder and getting somewhere, and if you work hard and long enough, eventually you’ll achieve some sort of status.

‘Whereas the gospel says, “No, you don’t work towards status, you work from status.” As a Christian you’re not working towards acceptance. That is striking in any culture, but in the military, with the nature of competitivity, rank structure and everything else, the gospel can seem even more prolific.’

ASR Steve Curley

Since 2021, ASR Steve Curley has been working and ministering to the people based at RAF Brize Norton, the largest RAF station with nearly 6000 service personnel as well as civilian staff and over 1000 contractors.

As we expand our work in the RAF, it is incredible to consider that over the past 200 years, hundreds of Scripture Readers have been able to sit down with service personnel and break down barriers of rank and culture to seek God together. Despite the shifts in culture and an increasingly multi-faith and even no-faith society, something deep in the human heart cries out for truth

By God’s grace, Steve has had countless opportunities to share the good news of Christ with those located at this vital station.

He shared that as his ministry has developed, there’s one question he often asks individuals once he has built a relationship with them.

‘I have a go-to question which is, “Who is Jesus to you?” I will know everything I need to in terms of supporting that person by the answer they give me.’

Recently an individual came to the Chaplaincy centre at Brize Norton. Jake (name changed) said that he had recently become a Christian and wanted to learn more about faith.

Steve welcomed him into his office and said, ‘Well, can I ask you, who is Jesus to you? I know it’s a straight up question, but I’d like to understand where you’re coming from.’

Jake was a little taken aback by the question, but after a few moments he

‘Hundreds of Scripture Readers have been able to sit down with service personnel and break down barriers of rank and culture to seek God together.’

answered, ‘I see Jesus as a figurehead, someone who can guide me through life.’

‘Let’s look at Scripture together,’ Steve suggested, and they began to meet weekly. After their first meeting, Steve told Jake to think about who Jesus is in relation to what they read in the Bible. The next week when Jake came back, he told Steve, ‘Jesus is God.’

‘So, you’ve reflected on who Jesus is, and I agree with you. Jesus is God and that’s an amazing statement, but the question is now, “What are you going to do with that knowledge?” Knowing who he is and responding to it are two different things.’

When Jake came back the next week he told Steve, ‘I think I need to get right with God…and I think the only way to do that is through Jesus.’

‘I agree.’ Steve and Jake worked through some more Scriptures and Steve told him, ‘This week, think about what is holding you back. If you know Jesus is God and the only way to find forgiveness is through him, then what’s stopping you?’

Steve served in the Army but has worked with RAF personnel since 2021.

‘“You often feel that urgency to share the gospel, but it was really on my heart in that moment to give it time, to let him think about these Scriptures”’

When Jake returned the following week, his answer was, ‘Nothing.’ And he gave his life to Christ.

Steve shared that it was a long process, but it showed God’s grace. ‘Usually, I would like to give all the knowledge I have in one sitting, but God gave me patience and grace toward the individual

and wisdom to leave it for a week. You often feel that urgency to share the gospel, but it was really on my heart in that moment to give it time, to let him think about these Scriptures and then to come back and discuss.’

Jesus’ question, ‘Who do you say that I am?’ is one of the most important questions we could ever answer.

May we hear many more accounts of men and women in the Armed Forces who are able to say in response, like Peter, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’

By Sandrina de Klerk, Communications Assistant

‘Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” is one of the most important questions we could ever answer.’

To the ends OF THE EARTH

ASR David Jamieson’s home church held a commissioning service as he and his wife were sent to serve military personnel in Inverness.

I sat in the congregation as David and Laiyee Jamieson performed a song they had written about trusting God when we don’t know what’s ahead. As I listened, I pondered how utterly appropriate it is that this couple have been entrusted with the mission of reaching soldiers and their families for Jesus in Inverness and Kinloss.

Lambhill Evangelical Church was abuzz with folk from various churches who were obviously sorry to see David and Laiyee leave. The pastor reminded us that the Great Commission is for all of us ‘disciples’ to go out and make more ‘disciples’, and so we were encouraged to send this couple off to do exactly that; nevertheless, it was

By ASR Paul Curd, Edinburgh Garrison

work of SASRA, which inspired those present to support and pray for David and Laiyee as they go out to Inverness or, as the pastor joked, ‘the ends of the earth.’

GLOSSARY

ASR Army or Air Force Scripture Reader. Scripture Readers are military veterans who live and work on military units, serving the spiritual welfare of the Armed Forces alongside Chaplaincy and military welfare.

ATR Winchester Also ATR(W). The Army Training Regiment, Winchester. A phase one training establishment for Army recruits.

Aviator An individual serving in the Royal Air Force.

Barracks An Army base.

Basic training The initial instruction of new military recruits.

Battalion A large Army unit of several hundred soldiers, comprising two or more companies.

Chaplain Chaplains are qualified religious ministers (or equivalent) who deliver pastoral care, provide or facilitate spiritual support and give moral guidance to the whole force and their families irrespective of faith, world philosophy or status. Chaplains wear military uniforms and provide leadership but do not command, are non-combatant and do not bear arms.

Chain of Command Also CoC. The succession of leaders through which command is exercised and executed.

Company An Army unit comprised of platoons that makes up part of a battalion or regiment.

Garrison A large Army base or group of smaller bases or barracks.

ITC Catterick The Infantry Training Centre, Catterick. A phase one training establishment for Army infantry recruits.

MCTC The Military Corrective Training Centre. An establishment that provides corrective training for service personnel sentenced to periods of detention; it is not a prison.

MOD Ministry of Defence. The UK government department responsible for the Armed Forces.

NCO

Non-commissioned officer. A military officer who does not hold a commission. NCOs earn their position by promotion through the enlisted ranks.

Officer A person holding a position of authority, especially one with a commission, in the Armed Forces.

Padre See Chaplain.

Platoon

Phase one

Posting

An Army unit comprised of sections that is part of a company.

The first few weeks of basic training, when recruits are introduced to military life and basic military skills.

An assignment to a post, command or location.

Regiment A military unit made up of smaller units; the specifications vary across different branches of the military.

Reserve Forces Part-time military personnel who have civilian jobs but are available when the military requires additional personnel.

Reservist A member of the Reserve Forces.

Section Commander An NCO who commands a small group of around seven soldiers or aviators.

Sgts Mess Sergeants’ Mess. A designated area where senior NCOs socialise, eat and live.

Squaddie A slang term to refer to a soldier of low rank.

Squadron An RAF unit of similar size to an Army Company. In some Army Regiments, squadron is used instead of company.

Station An RAF base.

Unit A group of specific size and role within a larger military organisation.

Veteran Someone who has previously served in the Armed Forces.

Warrant Officer The highest NCO rank.

Welfare Service The military’s professional welfare provider.

HEADQUARTERS STAFF

ROLE

Executive Director

Operations Director

Ministry Director

Finance Director

Facilities Director

Finance Officer

Prayer Coordinator

Support Officer

Donor Relations Officer

Admin Officer

Communications Officer (P/T)

Communications Assistant (P/T)

Regional Managers

NAME

Lt Col (Retd) Dr Martin Gliniecki QGM CEng

Mr Warren Berdo MBA

Rev Phil Parker

Mr Phil Rush

Mr Colin Williams

Miss Jacqueline Thomas

Mrs Laura Reuter

Miss Sophie Pomeroy

Mrs Sandra Stockwell

Mrs Sian Lewis

Miss Olia Mitskevich

Miss Sandrina de Klerk

Mr Andrew McMahon, Mr David Malam

SCRIPTURE READERS

Our Scripture Readers are all believing Christians and ex-Forces, called into the work in order that the serving personnel of the British Army and Royal Air Force all hear the gospel during their time of service.

Serving alongside the Chaplaincy, our Scripture Readers work to introduce soldiers and aviators to a practical experience of the Christian faith by living and working alongside them ‘behind the wire’

Paul Somerville, Northern Ireland

Scott Witherick, Northern Ireland

Jim Henderson

John Miskelly In Training

Steve Curley, RAF Brize Norton

Tiaan de Klerk, MOD Lyneham

Patrick Steen, Salisbury Plain

Lee Philipson, ATR Winchester and Perham Down

Alan Jordan, British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK)

David Jamieson, Kinloss & Fort George

Paul Curd, Edinburgh Garrison

Dave Hossack, ITC Catterick

Chika Onugha, Kendrew

Steven Dougherty, RAF Northolt

Gavin Dickson, Colchester Garrison

Josh Fortune, London

Peter Woodward, RAF Benson

Michael Blackstock, Aldershot Garrison

Kevin Wadsworth, Jackson Club, Minley

Kenya