Naval Officer Russell Bennett* served on a mine countermeasures ship during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He and his crew hunted and neutralized Iraqi mines.

Early in the deployment, Bennett recalls, “As I considered the small size of my ship compared to the size of the explosive blast from those detonated mines, I felt fear for the first time in my naval career. It was a prime opportunity to trust the Lord for the safety of me and my crew, and for the welfare of my young family at home.”

At that time, Bennett was a relatively new Christian. He had committed his life to Christ while in the Naval Academy. He was given a Bible and began meeting weekly with other believers in the school to study the Word together.

On the ship, in his small stateroom, Bennett made time very early each morning to study Scripture and seek the Lord.

“God’s Word in the psalms, in particular, ministered daily to me in the minefields,” Bennett explained. “And it still does.” Verses like Psalm 56:3-4 provided daily reinforcement: What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me (KJV).

When Bibles are provided to our military men and women, they equip Christian Service Members with Scripture they can easily carry with them, and give others who don’t know the Lord — but are suddenly thinking about eternity — an opportunity to place their trust in Jesus Christ.

Thank you to our valued partners for your continued dedication to this mission!

*Name changed for privacy