From a recent letter from Chaplain Alan Dong

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement this past month!  Most of it was spent in central CA for my annual Army training.  Here are some of the highlights:

June 10th-29th was spent at Camp Roberts in central California with my Army National Guard unit for annual training.  I am thankful for God’s protection and strength during this time.  It is always my prayer that all would make it home safely, and God graciously answered those prayers.

One night, soldiers were sleeping in a field when a cadre member drove through their area in a tactical military vehicle (“HMVEE”).  He drove right over a soldier, but the wheels were such they straddled the soldier, and he only sustained lacerations on his forehead when he was startled and sat up, hitting his head on the vehicle’s drive shaft.

Another soldier brought his own ammunition and suicide note, planning to take his life on the final day of training.  However, over the three weeks, he felt prompted to reach out to someone and get help from behavioral health, abandoning his plans.

These two stories are a testament to God’s gracious intervention and answer to prayer.  I also held daily devotion/prayer with a faithful group of 5-7 soldiers in my field chapel tent, and I had the privilege of baptizing five soldiers in the Nacimiento River.

Praises/thanks:  1). God’s protection and strength during annual training. 2). Open doors for ministry. 3). Good health. 4).  God’s continued provision

Prayer requests:  1). Adjustment as I return to PeaceHealth. 2). Patience/peace as I balance school, work, and family.  3). Spiritual growth for myself and my family. 4). Continued health

Quote of the Week:  “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”  –Matthew 16:24

Thank you for journeying with me as we serve the Lord together!

Sincerely in Christ,

Jason Alan Dong

Join us in thanking God for Chaplain Dong’s steady, faithful, and fruitful ministry. As one of a handful of VCN Chaplains who hold a “dual-endorsement” – full-time civilian hospice chaplaincy (PeaceHealth) and part-time National Guard chaplaincy – Jason “changes” ministry hats routinely.

For more stories by and about Venture Churches’ chaplaincy opportunities, military and civilian, visit Chaplaincy – Venture Church Network (venturechurches.org). For endorsement information, email Randy Brandt, Director, at r.brandt@venturechurches.org.