Ranger Chaplain Jeff Strueckershares the freedom found in Christ with those fighting for our liberty
By Adam Miller
“I love the military. My heroes are soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. When I see what they’re willing to do to serve their country, it absolutely blows me away.”
Ranger Chaplain [Cpt.] Jeff Struecker began his journey into ministry on the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993, fighting in a mission that was eventually captured in the movie “Black Hawk Down.”
“When people were being killed to my left and to my right and I was absolutely certain I was going to die, God gave me a sense of peace,” says Struecker. “I had a very strong faith in Jesus Christ before I went to Somalia. And immediately afterwards I was starting to become very sure that God was leading me into the ministry.”
God used Struecker’s love for the Army and his love for soldiers to guide him to become a military chaplain.
“This is the best church I could pastor. These are my heroes,” says Struecker, who himself has seen every front line of battle since Panama. “The Army has a tendency to confront people with who they are physically, mentally, and spiritually. The more difficult the circumstances, the more receptive the average person becomes to issues of faith and spiritual matters. I have the opportunity to help them grow spiritually as they undergo these harsh conditions.”
Last year Struecker led 30 Ranger cadets to Christ in Ft. Benning, Georgia. Most of these soldiers already have been in combat. And the ones that haven’t will soon be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. “There’s a very real urgency for me to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Chaplain Struecker deployed this summer with the 75th Ranger Regiment, leaving behind five children and wife, Dawn, as he seeks to minister to “the best congregation in the world.” Pray for Jeff as he serves overseas. Pray that God would keep him strong and filled spiritually. Pray for the protection of his battalion as they serve on the front lines. OM
Adam Miller is associate editor of On Mission.
Action Item Visit www.NAMB.net to view the Monthly Missionary Focus video on Jeff Struecker’s ministry.