Through
the technology that we have at our fingertips today along with social media
that is part of our everyday lives, we can easily learn someone’s story.
Viewing someone’s Facebook page, allows you a glimpse into his or her life. Of
course you are only able to see the pieces they are willing to share, but we
find it helpful nonetheless. You may wonder why on earth are we talking about
social media?
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| Amy and I with Marty and Liz as we played golf together at the staff conference. |
Social
media has become the vehicle through which we can communicate with the masses
and share our story. It has been helpful for us personally to close the gap and
keep our families updated on our adventures. Another way it has been helpful
for us in ministry in that it allows us to push information out to parents
regarding Club activities and events, and also to our ministry partners with
specific prayer needs and financial support. We can post something to Facebook
and in an instant be able to spread the word with a global reach. Not only does
Facebook allow us to communicate with others around the globe, but also it
creates a history book with a record of all that you have ever posted.
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| The group of U.S. Club Beyond staff at our conference. |
In
November at the US MCYM Field Staff Conference held in Melbourne, Florida, we
had an opportunity to gather with our colleagues that are on mission to reach
military teens at installations in the United States. Our time together
included celebrating victories and sharing concerns. We had an amazing speaker
for the week that spoke refreshment into our souls and we had time to rest and
recharge our batteries so we can continue serving these teens and their
families. Every year the Zane Biddle award is given out during the conference. Everyone
casts their vote for the staff member they feel is the most deserving according
to certain criteria. This year, our MCYM peers felt we were the most deserving.
It is such an honor to be put into the same category as this great servant of
God that worked to reach military teens with 101% of everything he had and was.
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| Rog (right) who is our coordinator, presenting us with the award. |
Sadly,
we didn’t have the opportunity to work alongside Zane in ministry before his
sudden passing in 2010. We’ve listened to stories told by our peers and those
that knew him and worked alongside him. They told of the amazing man that he
was and how he fervently served the Lord through his work with Club Beyond
reaching military teens and their families. Thanks to Facebook and the
Internet, we were able to review his personal history book that was documented.
What we found confirmed the stories of those we heard. The joy on his face and
in his heart was perfectly captured as we looked through photos of him with his
family and students.
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| Zane Biddle |
Zane
Biddle was a loving husband, father, and Club Beyond Community Director at Fort
Rucker, Alabama. He served our country as a member of the United States Air
Force. His mission in life was to live each day for Jesus and to reach others
for the Kingdom of God. His life on this earth ended after only 40 years. He
lived every second as a reflection of Christ and had a spirit that was so
contagious. We speak as though we knew him. Although we weren’t able to know
him here during his time on earth, we are confident that we will see him in
Heaven one day. Through Facebook, we were able to learn Zane’s story, which
makes receiving the award and honoring his memory all that more meaningful. This
year our theme at Club has been to “Live Like You’re Dying”. Zane Biddle
certainly did just that up until the moment he took his last breath. We’re trying to teach our students of the
importance of loving God and loving others by living boldly and courageously
through their faith in Jesus Christ and make their story count.
By being
awarded the Zane Biddle Award, Zane has now become a piece of our story, of our
history. Though we were recognized as the reward recipients, the truth is, none
of this recognition would be possible without each and every one of you. No
different than a World Series Championship Royals baseball team coming home and
thanking each and every one of their fans that made it all possible, and
uniting a city after 30 years, we also want to thank each and every one of you.
This award belongs to you.
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| The award given to us. |
For
those that stepped out in faith as I began raising support to join this mission
back in 2010 as a single guy just dipping my toe into the waters of military
youth ministry, I thank you. For those that made financial commitments in order
so that I could be fully funded and get on the ground here in Southeast
Georgia, I thank you. For those that prayed hours and hours for me and God’s
call upon my life to come together, I thank you. Many of you poured into me and
spoke wisdom and truth into my life that helped transform me into the man,
husband, and servant of God I have become today with God’s grace. Thank you to
all of you that continue to be a part of our story here at Fort Stewart and
Hunter Army Airfield. Your continued prayers and financial support as ministry
partners together on this mission make it possible for us to hear the stories
of our students, to share our story with them, and weave God’s story into their
lives. Thank you for being a part of our story and for staying on mission with
us. As this year comes to a close, we reflect on how God has and continues to bless
us as we continue to serve Him.
