THE STORY BEHIND THE TRACTS

In January of 2006, God put the idea of this project into my mind in an unusual way. While on temporary active duty with the military, I spent much time in airports traveling to the various assigned duty stations. Several times I came in contact with other military men and women while they were traveling as well. Our times of communication with each other were short as we hurried off to our respective gates for departure. Being called by God to be a chaplain has given me the passion to minister to every soldier I see. And after wishing them God speed, I was always disappointed that I did not have time to share the gospel with them. So I set out to find a tract specific to military personnel. I researched all of the well known tract companies but could not find a tract that I felt would truly grab the attention of the troops. It was at this time that the Holy Spirit began to impress upon me the thought of writing a tract myself.

Over the next few months, the burden began to grow and the Lord gave me direction as to how to begin this overwhelming task. My desire was to make a different tract for each branch of the armed services. The reason for this was to capitalize on the pride and the traditions that are inherent within each branch. As a Marine, I understood the importance of recognizing the uniqueness and the necessity of each branch to the total force of the United States Military. Instead of writing a generic military tract, I felt an individual tract for each branch would increase the potential effectiveness of the tract. So the decision was made to write a series of tracts for the military. There would be a total of six tracts in the set; one for each service branch, and one for families who have lost a loved one in the war.

In July, 2006, I stepped out into unfamiliar territory as I sat down in front of a computer and began to write the text for each tract. The process began with a prayer that God would give wisdom and insight to me as I sought for the exact words. The task ahead was overwhelming as I pondered the potential that these very words would impact the eternal destiny of every man and women who read them. This thought was frightening to me and I had to constantly remind myself that God was in control and that He would give me the words to write and the effectiveness of the tract was ultimately in His hands and not mine.

When God calls a believer to a specific task, especially one that will impact eternity, the Devil begins putting plans together to destroy that process. I never imagined the spiritual battle that would take place during the process of writing, designing, printing, and ultimately distributing these tracts. Sometimes it was a mental block of how to word a sentence or a phrase. Other times it was determining which version of Scripture to use so as to be understood by the spiritually uneducated reader. Spiritual warfare as spoken of in Paul’s epistle to the church at Ephesus became very real and personal to me and my family. I personally experienced temptations that I had never had before. My wife and I had to work harder at our own relationship and the relationship with our children. There were specific times when communication with close friends seemed to break down causing a strain and a lack of trust in the relationship. All of these things were efforts by the Evil One to stop the writing of these needed tracts. But God is faithful, and will not allow His children to be involved in a battle that He hasn’t already provided the strength to fight and the victory to overcome.

Much thought and research went into the design and content of the tracts. It needed to be high quality in order to stand out and cause interest to military personnel who are accustomed to “high tech” supplies and equipment as well as appeal to the nature of excellence that is the hallmark of the U.S. military. My desire was to immediately catch the eye of the soldier by using the specific emblems of each service branch on the cover or front of the tract. From the day each member raises his or her hand and swears an oath to support and defend this country and that specific emblem, internal pride is born that will only grow over time. The content of each tract is specific to the branch promoted on the front cover. The content inside begins with the traditions of that branch and the role it plays in making the U.S. military the greatest fighting force in the world. It then reminds the reader of the specific Core Values that are unique to each branch and to which every member has sworn to live by. The text then continues with an admiration of the great sacrifice that all military members make on a daily basis and the indebtedness this country has to them and their service. The tract then transitions into the Gospel explaining that even in spite of being American heroes; they still fall short of a Holy God and are in need of the Saviour for eternal security in heaven. The power of these tracts will be in the multitude of Scriptures used to explain the earnest need for Salvation. A sample “sinner’s prayer” is given and then an invitation to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. The tract concludes with verses for encouragement and assurance of their Salvation.

The sixth tract in the series is for families who have had a loved one killed in action.

As a chaplain, one of my duties is to conduct funerals and memorial services for soldiers killed in combat. I have had the honour to stand beside many flag draped coffins as the distraught family looked on, often still in shock. I would leave every service longing to reach out to these family members and share the comfort that can only be found in Jesus Christ. These experiences are what prompted the final tract in the series. This tract is a source of practical as well as spiritual council; providing several verses of peace and comfort from God’s Word.

The final step in the completion of this military series of tracts was the actual production or printing of the finished product. Having no experience in the graphic design field, God would use a special individual in my life to assist in this area. As the providence of God would have it, my own brother is an accomplished graphic design artist who was eager to be apart of this project. His talents as well as learned skills helped to bring into reality what had only been a mental picture in my own mind. I truly believe that one of the many reasons for God giving my brother those talents so long ago was for this specific tract project, knowing the potential impact they would have for eternity. Another hurdle presented itself as the finances needed to print became apparent. As the family prayed about this need, God had already worked in the heart of a retired Navy man who desired to be of great financial assistance with this project. Along with a few dear others sent by God, the project was paid in full and the initial printing of the tracts was complete.

This tract project, now being complete and the tracts already being passed out and used around the world, the one thought that continues to humble me is this: In God’s abundant grace and mercy he chooses to use us, sinful mankind, to do His providential work. We must simply be willing vessels, submissive to His direction in our lives, and He will do amazing things to us and through us – His children, joint heirs with Christ. Praise be to God!