To All Veterans

A Message Looking Forward to Veterans Day

I sit here thinking about how “tough” life is being at war for a back to back of 12 months and then a 15 month combat tour. I miss my wife and dogs. I miss not being able to pick up and get a McDonald cheeseburger when I want to. I miss a real bed where when I get up I don’t have to travel a block to use the facilities or don’t have to check your shoes for what might be in them. Than I feel ashamed as I remember how fortunate the Soldiers of today really are. I know that I am basically whining when I take a look at what other veterans have done for our country in the past 70 years. I have it easy and want to thank each and every one of our veterans for their job well done.

I have been asked to address all of the men and women that I consider my heroes. What an honor to be able to address you. Regardless of whether you volunteered or were drafted and this also includes the spouses and those who supported “their” Soldier. You stood up for your country and the people of American. You did a job that so many were afraid of and you never ran off to Canada or Europe to hide. During World War 2 they estimated that 97% of the United States was involved in some way or another with the fight for freedom. Everyone knew someone that did not come home either directly or in directly. Due to everyone being involved our military personnel, our Hero’s both male and female came home and went to work trying to rebuild a life that for many was gone. I have talked with Soldiers of that era and asked them why they did not put their story to paper? They responded this way…”Cliff, everyone did it or would do what I have done. I was not special, I was called and I went, I did what was expected of me.” So many of our unsung heroes of that day have gone to their graves with many heroic stories and many unhealed pains and memories of friends lost. Why; because they believed they were nothing special. I DISAGREE.

It did not end there. Uncle Sam was not done. The huge war machine of WW2 was winding down, but many of our Service men and women did not get to relax for long. We went to a War with a country many never heard of: Korea. However, something different for us to deal with this time…It was called a military conflict and was never classified as War. To those that were involved it sure seemed like war. There were dead and dieing yet Congress never declared war. In fact they have not since WW2. The horrors of war did not stop just because a group of men were unable to see it for what it was. It was war with stories that could make a grown man cry. The Soldiers came home and many never talked about their experiences. Why? Because it was not a war. It was not a victory; it was considered a draw. Oh sure, there were semblances of a war, but many felt it was just a mop up conflict following WW2. We were nothing special; we did what we were called to do and did what was expected. Many to this day hold the pains inside because they felt that they were nothing special…I DISAGREE!!

A new generation of Soldiers came of age during the next war that we call Vietnam. They were raised on the battles of WWII and Korea. They watched TV where “Rat Patrol” would win battles in 30 minutes time and John Wayne traded his horse in to lead a Battalion of Soldiers to victory in some battle. They heard stories of victories and trials that “made a man out of you.” Though the beginning of this conflict is argued, the trials, deaths and hurts were and are still very real today. It was a war that tore our country apart. While a loud immoral minority condemned the war and those involved (including the Soldier), A Moral Majority sat back confused. While thousands marched on Washington in disagreement, the numbers grew of our dead and the hands of our military leaders were tied by the political leaders of the time. As not to condemn the protestors because that is their right, we must understand that this protesting was not new. Even in WWII the protesters marched on Washington in large numbers, but because of lack of media during the 1940’s, the world in the 60’s and 70’s thought they were doing something completely new. Something in which they thought could change a mind of a nation’s leaders.

Indeed, something new was taking place but not by the media and protestors, but by the men and woman of this generation that set them apart from all generations. Yes, they were called, they went, they did what was asked of them and yes, many did not come home. However, the difference was they survived even when they were told that they weren’t special by those that sent them. They were expected to deal their feelings by themselves. You see in the previous wars, it took time to get home (up to 3 months) and in that time they were able to talk to others with many of the same experiences and they were welcomed as heroes. Vietnam was a 24hour turn around from the jungles to any street in the United States and there was no parade, no thanks, just forget about what happened and move on. No wonder our men and women felt so rejected and worthless. I am one individual that would like to publicly say I am sorry because I DISAGREE!!! Each and every one of you are special and we thank you for the job and sacrifices all of you made.

What about the soldiers that entered their service to our country after Vietnam. Well, let’s think about this for a second. All the wars and rumors of war that took place all over the world didn’t get much Media attention, but people still died. I am sure that I would forget some of them, but let me try. Beirut, Grenada, other South American countries fighting drugs and dictatorships. The different embassies that were bombed throughout the world. Our Navy being shot at, the war that is still going on in Korea, Cuba and other fronts during the Cold War. The Gulf War, fighting in Afghanistan and of course those who are home after fighting in this war on Terror. Our forces of National Guards, and Reserves being used in ways they were never intended, but they are always at the ready to move.

For anyone that has worn any of the uniforms in defense of our precious United States of America, I rise to salute you and the commitment that you have shown to our Great nation. At times, it is correct that many do not understand the things you have gone through, but please understand that you are the Select, you are the heroes, and you are the guide to the next generations of Americans. In your Special and Unique way, the nation is once again calling on you because you have something that many are looking for. Yes, it your experience, but it is also knowledge and relationship that you have with the Lord Jesus Christ and that is what so many people today are lacking, sadly, even within our churches It is no longer time for any of us to take a passive role in showing the world that they need the Lord. It is time to remember yesterday and strive with perseverance in telling the world just how special we all are in the eyes of the Lord. The blood that was shed throughout our nation’s war history is impressive, but it is time for us to teach the world about the blood that was shed upon a tree by our Savior, for our sins…
My friends, you have your orders:

“Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end
of the age."
Matt 28:18-20 NIV

Thank you and God bless,
In HIS service,
CH (CPT) Cliff Neuman
1-4 CAV, Squadron Chaplain

Military Chaplains Stage War Service at AGTS

Military chaplaincy candidates staged a mock pre-battle field service Tuesday at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. The chapel platform was transformed into a military camp.

Chaplaincy candidates conducted the service as they would in an actual war situation just before a battle. President Byron Klaus stated that AGTS prepares more chaplains-in-training than any other seminary.




Col. Scott McChrystal, head of military chaplaincy for the Assemblies of God, spoke.

Veterans Day Is Coming

Go to agmilitary.blogspot.com to leave a note of appreciation for veterans and/or those in active service. Watch for a special edition of Today's Pentecostal Evangel for Veterans Day, featuring our military.

Meet Danny and Martha Morales

I want you to meet Danny Morales. Danny has been instrumental in helping TPE get blog literate. He has taken a lot of time, long distance to help me learn a lot of things I didn't know. Thanks, Danny for all the time you have put in to help the ministry of TPE.

I consider Danny my first "reverse mentor." This is what my friend Dr. Earl Creps calls the young guys who help the older guys learn young stuff. He has been an immense blessing to me.

Danny has been doing this long distance from his home in Hawai'i where he is in the military and ministry. I wanted to know more about him. Here is part of what he shared with me:

"Martha and I are church-appointed missionaries to young adults based out of Christian Life Center (A/G) of Douglas Arizona. Our missionary field are young adult military members and their families. Since entering the Navy in 1999, we have evangelized and discipled many who are now active in ministry. We have two boys, Danny Boy and Michael David, who are missionaries-in-training. Martha is a teacher at a local Southern Baptist preschool where Michael attends and is actively involved in chidlren's ministry at First Assembly of God Hawai'i, where we have been attending since arriving in late December 2005. I am a Ranger Kids Commander at First Assembly and have taught Danny Boy and now Michael for the last year and a half. Martha and I both work under Pastor Cari Hurst as military points of contact for The Reef, the Young Adult Ministry of First Assembly. We help Pastor Cari and her missionary husband Russ in any way we can and consider our involvement with them, our military friends-in-discipleship, and our boy's spiritual development the highlight of our tour."

Thanks, Danny, for all your help! May the Lord bless your ministry.

Vietnam Memorial Vandalized

The Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., was vandalized, the Associated Press reported today. (Read the story here.) Who would do such a thing?

Protest this disrespect of America's veterans by leaving words of appreciation for them and active military at the new site agmilitary.blogspot.com.

Military Personnel Appreciation Site Launched

A cooperative venture of Assemblies of God Military Chaplaincy and Today's Pentecostal Evangel has launched a brand-new Web site intended to bolster our troops' spiritual and emotional morale, as well as that of their families.

On agmilitary.blogspot.com, anyone can leave a note of appreciation.

From the site:

The United States of America is blessed to have many brave men and women serving this country in the military. This site was born on September 11, 2007, the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attack on America. It is intended to show our support, as Americans and Christians, of these courageous individuals and their families.

Please leave positive comments of support. Express your appreciation and/or tell them you are praying for them. You may address a particular branch or command or all the Armed Forces. You may even leave a message regarding a particular individual, as long as it does not convey personal or secure information. (Click on "comments" below to begin your message. Please leave your name rather than using the "anonymous" option. You may feel free to just leave your first name and your city or state of residence if you prefer.)

To our military personnel: Please read through the comments to see the support you have. And feel free to leave your own comments, or send news. Photos may eventually be posted on a separate site.

Col. Scott McChrystal adds a personal note:

In my role as Representative for the Assemblies of God to our military, I continue to search for ways to support our brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. Having served as an infantryman in Viet Nam, I can vividly recall what it feels like to fight a war that our nation didn’t support. As I am sure you agree, our military men and women today deserve much better for the enormous sacrifices they, along with their families, continue to make. They need our encouragement.

Together, let’s seize the opportunity. Please join us in our attempt to convey our love, appreciation, and support for their heroic efforts. Please take a few moments to express how you feel about them and the service they are providing to our nation. You can make a huge difference!

Scott McChrystal
CH (COL), USA Ret.
Mil/VA Rep & Endorser
Assemblies of God Chaplaincy Ministries
(417) 862-2781, Ext 3281

Visit agmilitary.blogspot.com to leave your comments and read those left by others.

AG Pastor Refuels With Air Force

I just received this email with these photos from Pastor Dennis Huenefeld in North Pole, Alaska. We have mentioned him once in the blog. I was with him awhile back for an upcoming story in TPE. These are some amazing photos.

"I flew a few weeks ago on an Air Force KC 135 to do a refueling run
over W Alaska and refuled some F-22 Raptors (the new planes in the Air Force). Here is a shot from the 'service station in the sky'."

Mount McKinley (Denali)

A Slow Journey on a Chosen Road

Editor’s note: Since publication of the following article in the Nov. 14, 2004, issue of TPE, much has happened in Steve Kramer’s life. While itinerating in January 2005 to raise missionary funds, he met his future wife, Julie, in Medford, Ore. They wed in June 2005. The couple arrived in the Netherlands in July 2006.

The Kramers completed a year of Dutch language school while simultaneously pastoring a Chi Alpha group in their Leiden home each week. The group eventually grew to 25 students. Then the missionaries began helping a church in Groningen with a new Chi Alpha chapter, handing leadership of Chi Alpha Leiden to missionary associate Emma Hansen. In the summer of 2007, the Kramers accepted an assignment as the first national directors of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries in the Netherlands.



A Slow Journey on a Chosen Road

By John W. Kennedy

When Steve Kramer entered the world in 1973, doctors gave his young parents little hope for survival of their first baby, born 11 weeks premature.

“If he lives, you’ll be fortunate,” a physician told Randy Kramer, 21 and in the Air Force, and his wife, Linda, just 18. It was an era before medical technology could do much to save small-weight infants. Steve’s weight dipped below three pounds and repeatedly he suffered breathing apnea because of underdeveloped lungs. When his heart monitor stopped, a nurse vigorously tugged on a string tied to his leg to jostle the boy into breathing again.

Those touch-and-go early days also put a strain on Randy and Linda, who lived in Arizona. They were visiting Linda’s parents in Placerville, Calif., when she went into premature labor. The closest hospital that would treat preemies was in Sacramento, and for the first two months they had to make a 100-mile round trip to see their son in a hospital incubator.

When Steve turned 6 months old, the family moved to the Azores, a group of islands 800 miles west of the coast of Portugal. The parents grew concerned when their 9-month-old baby couldn’t sit up and had difficulty grasping toys.

The mounting pressures of marrying young — Linda had been 16, Randy 19 — the growing medical concerns over Steve and the rigorous military life took a toll on the Kramers. The couple separated for 6 months and contemplated divorce.

But a trip to a U.S. military hospital in West Germany unified them. Upon hearing physicians diagnose his son with cerebral palsy, Randy, who had been raised in a strong Christian home, recommitted his life to Christ and thus preserved the marriage. Doctors told the Kramers that their son would never walk.

From that point on, the Kramers stuck together.

Steve’s parents always included him in family activities. They let him go at his own pace, which resulted in him becoming more independent-minded. And Steve didn’t set limits on himself.

“My family never treated me like I was disabled,” Kramer says. “My parents knew that the limitations others set on me weren’t what God planned. God knew before I was born what purposes He had for me. God doesn’t look at the doctor’s chart before He calls you.”

Today, Kramer is one of 764,000 people in the United States with cerebral palsy. Usually the condition is caused by brain damage during fetal development, affecting a person’s ability to adequately control body movement and muscle coordination.

But overcoming difficulties has been something Kramer has done with great regularity. In fact, his impressive career almost makes it seem as though he had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. The handsome, articulate, good-natured, extroverted young man has pursued and realized his dreams of becoming a television news anchor, associate pastor and now, itinerating missionary.

Certainly an upbeat attitude and stick-to-itiveness have contributed to his achievements. But more importantly, Kramer’s faith in Christ has helped him accomplish goals rather than despair about limitations he faces.

PAINFUL CHILDHOOD

The Kramers returned to California just after Steve’s first birthday. By age 13, Steve had undergone a dozen surgeries on his legs, knees and hips in attempts to loosen stiff spastic muscles. Sometimes he would be in a body cast up to his chest, hospitalized for months at a time. At night his legs would be in splints.

When it came time for Steve to enter school he and his parents had a new battle to fight: prejudice. His parents vociferously, and ultimately successfully, argued for Steve’s inclusion in a public school program. Steve’s teacher, counselor and superintendent had all sought to place him in a school for the disabled. Because of the cerebral palsy, Steve’s movements appeared uncoordinated, prompting classmates to tease him cruelly and even throw rocks at him. Unlike God, people often tend to judge mental capacity by physical appearance. Steve did need to repeat kindergarten, but it was primarily because he spent most of the first year in hospital rooms rather than the classroom.

Steve lived most of his childhood in a wheelchair, on crutches or using a walker. After completing intensive and painful physical therapy, he would improve — only to face another operation which doctors deemed necessary.

Although Steve committed his life to Jesus as his Savior at age 5, four years later he felt overwhelmed as to why God allowed his pain and suffering. “My dad told me, ‘You can know God is good, whatever you go through,’ ” Steve recalls. “That has been the foundation of my life.”

His parents were a constant encouragement. “I would never trade a bad set of legs for a bad set of parents,” Steve says. “God has always blessed me with incredible favor even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.”

“It’s always been amazing to me that Steve did not become embittered,” Randy says. “Instead of getting angry at God when bad things happen, he has allowed the Lord to build his character.”

The Kramers ultimately found the operations to be more experimental than helpful. When Steve was 13, he had a wedge removed from his left femur and replaced by a steel plate. Immediately afterwards, medical specialists told the family that Steve needed a similar operation on the right femur or he would never walk. At this point Steve’s parents allowed their son to make a life-changing decision.

Steve had recently sensed a specific call by God to become a missionary to the Netherlands. He believes that sense of divine leading helped him focus on a difficult choice. “I believe God knew I would need it to carry me through the tough times,” he now recalls. At 13, Steve determined he would consent to no more operations.

Randy asked members of Highland Assembly of God in Bakersfield (now Canyon Hills Assembly) to pray for a healing so that yet another corrective surgery wouldn’t be necessary.

Six weeks later, X-rays revealed that the right femur had returned to its socket. Doctors couldn’t account for the reason.

“One of my regrets is that I should have prayed more instead of automatically conceding to surgeries,” says Randy, whose faith increased from that point. He went to Bible college and spent 15 years as a pastor.

Soon after the femur healing, the Kramers were at the beach and a giant wave came ashore. The receding water washed Steve’s crutches out to the ocean, never to be seen again. Steve saw it as divine intervention. Since then he has walked on his own ability.

OVERCOMING DIFFICULTIES

Kramer lives independently, but he isn’t against practical help. “A shoe lift didn’t come out with me when I was born,” he says. And there are limitations. He becomes fatigued after a mile of walking. Stairs are difficult to negotiate because of trying to keep his balance.

“I am disabled,” says Kramer. “It’s noticeable when I look into a full-length mirror. But God can be glorified through weaknesses.”

Kramer graduated from the University of Oregon with a broadcast journalism degree. He served sports reporting internships for NBC affiliates in Yuma, Ariz.; Eugene, Ore.; and Seattle.

God then opened doors full-time in television, a medium not known for welcoming the physically disabled. Kramer spent two years as a news anchor for the CBS affiliate in Coos Bay, Ore.

Kramer had hoped to become a professional sports announcer, but his desires were changing. He saw how much ministry transformed his father’s life.

When Kramer heard David Lee, then-director of International Media Ministries, speak at a church missions convention, he felt God calling him again to missions. At Lee’s invitation, Kramer left a promising future in television news and went to work for IMM in Belgium for 15 months. He wrote scripts and narrated videos for IMM. In his spare time he ministered to refugees and homeless people in Brussels.

“In spite of his training in the TV and radio profession, Steve’s number one passion has always been evangelism,” says Lee, now U.S. Relations director for Assemblies of God World Missions. “He is bold about sharing the gospel one-on-one on the streets.”

After his stint with IMM, Kramer moved to Springfield, Mo., where he graduated from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in theological studies in 2002. His thesis, based on Philippians 1:29, explored how suffering can be a gift from God.

Kramer served as associate pastor for a year and a half at Abundant Life Assembly of God in North Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Steve has a real good heart for starting ministries that most people don’t really care about,” says Abundant Life Pastor Alex Lucero. “He started helping at a rescue mission here and passed that ministry on to someone else when he left.”

PREPARING FOR MISSIONS

Kramer is now based in Jefferson, Ore., where his parents live. The Kramers have three younger children, all born without complications.

“I always saw great potential in Steve,” says Linda, a county sheriff’s correctional sergeant. “We never wanted him to think he couldn’t do anything, mentally or physically, that he set his heart to do. Other people see that he’s disabled. We don’t see that.” Linda Kramer went to college, even though she never finished high school.

In 2004, Kramer received approval to become an Assemblies of God world missionary in preparation to work with Chi Alpha and church planters in Amsterdam.

“Steve will find a place where there is a real need and that’s what will drive him,” says Lucero, who has been pastor of Abundant Life for 16 years.

Already, Kramer has led three Chi Alpha short-term teams to the Netherlands. Being robbed at knifepoint the first week of his first visit didn’t deter him.

“I’m the last guy who should be leading a street evangelism team through the red-light district,” Kramer says. “I walk half the speed of everybody else.”

Greg Mundis, Europe regional director for Assemblies of God World Missions, recognizes that Kramer takes longer to do some tasks but says that’s not a problem.

“Steve has exhibited an incredible amount of tenacity in the face of obstacles,” Mundis says. “He demonstrates a positive attitude in facing the challenges of life that most don’t experience. He will bring a dimension into his missionary career that few of us have because he knows what it means to endure.”

Mundis finds it especially fitting that Kramer will be living in Holland, which in 2001 became the world’s first country to legalize euthanasia, in part as “mercy killing” for the disabled. “That will provide an added dimension to what Steve can contribute to that society,” Mundis says.

Kramer works out regularly in a gym and believes he’s in the best physical shape of his life.

“But if I have to go back into a wheelchair someday it won’t dampen my testimony,” he says. “The eternal things are more important.”

John W. Kennedy is news editor of Today’s Pentecostal Evangel.

Terror Threat to Common Missionary Hub

The AP reported today: "Three men were arrested on suspicion of planning attacks on the U.S. military base in Ramstein and Frankfurt's international airport, the German defense minister said Wednesday.

"'There was an imminent threat,' Franz Josef Jung told Germany's ARD broadcaster."

I have flown connecting flights through the Frankfurt airport several times, as have many AG travelers, especially missionaries. A threat against such a high-profile location is a reminder to pray for our military, including our brave chaplains, and our missionaries, many of whom face danger almost daily in far more vulnerable spots than Frankfurt.