Air Force Captain Julie E. Jefferson is currently deployed in Iraq, leaving behind a family in Kentucky. Her husband, Len, is retired from the Air Force. Julie has a brother, Jerry Davison, who is also in the Air Force, stationed in Oklahoma.
Specialist Ryan D. Bedtelyon was deployed to Afghanistan January 12, 2007 from Fort Bragg, NC with the US Army 4th Brigade (4-73 Cavalry, 82nd airborne) for a 15-month stay. He is the son of Pastor Luke & Cheryl Bedtelyon of Alpena, Michigan; senior pastor of the Alpena Free Methodist Church. His sisters are Rachel & Erin Bedtelyon.
Cameron Martin is the son of President John and Kathryn Martin of Roberts Wesleyan College and Northeastern Seminary. He deployed in Oct 2006 to Iraq as an Arabic linguist with the 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry.
In addition, two other young men whose parents go to Pearce Memorial Church are in Iraq: Captain Brandon DaWalt, 1st Cav, son of Mrs Marilyn Dawalt, and Lance Corp Glenn Rapp serving with the Marines in Anbar Province, son of Todd and Kathy Rapp.
PFC Thomas Stafford is the son of Terry and Sarah Stafford of the Great Plains conference. Thomas is assigned to the 4th Infantry Brigade 10th Mountain Division and was deployed to Afghanistan in March of 2006.
Chaplain (Captain) Raymond Leach has returned from a 22-month deployment to Iraq in August of 2007 and has voluntarily extended to Fort Lewis, WA to train deploying sailors, airmen and soldiers. Prior to his chaplaincy, Raymond and wife Tammy have served in ministry since 1992, pastoring in churches in Brockport, NY, Avon, IN, Missoula, MT, Caldwell, ID and Toddville, IA. They have two children: son, Remington and daughter, Rebekah.
FM Air Force Chaplain Charles Mallory has safely returned from deployment in Qatar and is working at Andrews Air Force Base in MD, where he is stationed with his wife Jennifer and sons Jabin and Tristian. He thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns while deployed. It was a memorable and very affirming experience. He is a member of the North Central Conference where he pastored the Sioux Falls FMC in SD from 2002-04.
U.S. Marine Corporal Matt Hicks returned to Iraq in March 06. He is stationed at Al Taqaddum Airbase ( 35 miles west of Baghdad) He is protecting convoys. He is scheduled for a return home in November 06. Matt is a member of Open Door FMC in Noblesville, IN. Matt would like to thank all of his friends and family back home for always praying for his safety.
SSGT Laurie Miller is in Iraq with the USArmy. She is the daughter of David and Susan Miller of the Bedford, IN FMC. Laurie is a librarian by trade, but is now serving in military intelligence until at least Oct. 2006. She is encouraged by the support she receives from stateside via prayers and e-mails. We covet your prayers for her safety, and discernment in interviewing the Iraqi citizens.
U.S. Marine Corp. Lance Corporal Chad Weaver has served in Iraq since January of 2005 and will return in October 2005. Chad became a member of Glenn Street FMC in Washington, PA, after hearing about our 40 Days of Purpose campaign through a chat room. Although he had already enlisted, he joined a small group and was here long enough to accept Christ and join our church family. We look forward to having him home with us soon!
Army National Guard SSgt Dominick Mazza's unit was activated in December of 2004. He arrived in Iraq in June of 2005 for approximately a year's duty. Dominick, his wife Candi and their children, Kayleigh and Anthony, are members of Glenn Street FMC in Washington, PA. Dominick's parents, Janet and Lou Mazza, sister Valerie, and grandmother, Ruth Blacka, are also members. Nick serves on the church's Buildings and Grounds Committee (Trustee).
Spc. Josh Burlison, son of Keith and Shari Burlison, is serving in the U.S. Army somewhere in Afghanistan. Joshua and his family are members of the Rockwall FMC in Rockwall, Texas. Josh and his Texas Army National Guard Unit were deployed in April 2005.
Jesse Burlison, son of Keith and Shari Burlison, is serving in the U.S. Navy as a member of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department in Atsugi, Japan. Jesse and his family are members of the Rockwall FMC in Rockwall, Texas. Jesse has been stationed in Japan since November 2004.
UPDATE! Patience Avelson is the daughter of Darrell Arms, pastor of the Beloit (WI) FMC. She and husband Jason both serve in the U.S. Army. In June Jason was re-assigned to another year of oversesas duty, this time in Korea. Patience is in line for another promotion, and is raising Ashlyn and Jason Jr. in Ft. Hood TX. Thank you for your prayers!
UPDATE! Nathanael Richard Wills, SSgt., USAF has returned to his home base in Clovis, NM, after his second deployment to the Middle East, this last time in Iraq. This September he completes five years of service to his country. His dad is pastor of the Seekonk (MA) FMC and his brother is pastor of New Halls Ferry FMC in St. Louis. Nathanael is the sixth of eight children. (roll cursor over photo)
UPDATE! Major Brad Letner, US Army, says "I am happy to let you know that I am home and gratefully reunited with my family. Many thanks for the prayers and loving support from my FMC family. Warm regards, Brad Letner Southern California (Photo by Timothy Hansen)
Spc. Christopher Costa of Bowling Green, KY is currently serving in Baghdad with the US Army National Guard 617th Military Police Company. His unit has served in Iraq since November 2004, and their orders are expected to be for 12 months. Christopher believes their mission is important, and looks forward to getting back to college when he returns.
Private 1st Class Timothy Delaney was deployed to Iraq February 2, 2005 just two months after his wedding to Miranda. Tim is 23 years old and was raised in the Ferndale (MI) FMC. His family, Pat and Lois Delaney, of Hazel Park, MI, wait for him along with his siblings: older brother, Shaun, younger sisters, Elizabeth and Erin and younger brother, Dylan. Miranda and her family await his safe return.
Dustin Nash is currently serving in Iraq with the US Army National Guard. Dustin is a part of the Parkview Free Methodist Church in Vandalia, IL, where his wife, Jennifer, is Director of Children's Ministries. They have two daughters, Hannah and Shelby. His family appreciates your prayers for him.
UPDATE! Pastor Jeremy Smith returned to the United States from Uzbekistan in mid-December. He, his wife, Erin, and their son, Caleb celebrated Christmas together. At present, he is not scheduled to return to the mid-East. Thank you for your prayers concerning Pastor Jeremy.
Marine Lance Corporal Bryan Davis Miller is currently deployed to Iraq from Camp LeJune NC. Bryan is a member of Solid Rock Community Church in Schnecksville, PA. The son of Mitch and Debbie Miller of Allentown, PA, Bryan's older brother Marine Sergeant Adam Miller just returned from Iraq and is currently stationed at Camp LeJune, NC.
Army PFC Ronald Drumheller is currently stationed in Germany after finishing a deployment in Iraq. He attends the Central Michigan Free Methodist Church. His e-mail is rodrumhe-at-edzone.net
PVT Adam Claybaugh will graduate from Advanced Individual Training in the U.S. Army in Ft. Lee, VA, on November 17, 2004. He will be assigned to the 82nd Airborne in Ft. Bragg, NC. Adam attended the Central Michigan FMC in Mt. Pleasant, where his family is still active. He and his fiancee, Becky, (rollover image) will be married December 18. They appreciate the church family's continued prayer and support. Write him at: adam.e.claybaugh-at-us.army.mil
HM3 Dawn Elizabeth Hobbs USNR (Burlington, VT FMC) worked as a hospital corpsman in the postpartum unit of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, March-June 2003. She was able to give comfort and support to several military wives whose husbands were serving in Iraq and unable to be present for the births.
UPDATE! FM Army Chaplain (Capt.) Charles Burgess returned home to his wife Sandra and sons Dylan and Zechariah (pictured at left) in Vicenza, Italy on Feb. 20, 2004. He was deployed to Iraq near the city of Kirkuk for one year with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He asks, "Please pass this picture on to others. Let them see what really matters."
UPDATE! Sergeant Michael Davis thanks the FM family for all the prayers and support during his deployment to Iraq. "My unit, the 526 Forward Support Battalion, returned safely home to Fort Campbell, KY, on Feb. 21, 2004. God has been good to us; our unit didn't lose any soldiers, and I am thankful for His protection. Please continue to pray for all our service members still in Kuwait and Iraq and for their families. Thank you and God bless."
A1C John Castle graduated from Air Force Basic Training this month. He is in tech school now and has recieved his first assignment. He, his wife Amanda, and their three boys: Payton, Dawson, and Camden, will be moving to Spangdahlem AFB, Germany. This is their first time overseas. Please pray that they will cling to God, each other and reach out to new friends and experiences beyond base life.
Tom Castle is an Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) serving in the Defense Attache Office in the U.S. Embassy, Seoul, South Korea. He served in Desert Storm with the 493rd Fighter Squadron. Tom and Darcy and their four boys (rollover picture) are members of Clio New Covenant Fellowship in the East MI Conf. They will retire from the military and make Clio their home in three years, after well over 20 years of service in both the Air Force and Army.
Lieutenant Colonel Steve Wilson has been deployed to Iraq with the Washington Army National Guard. He's chaplain to the 3,600-member 81st Armored Brigade. Steve is the pastor of Post Falls Light & Life Christian Fellowship (Free Methodist), and is expected to be overseas for up to 18 months.
Captain Eric Klooz was raised in an FM church in Nebraska and is currently serving with 167th Cavalry in Bosnia. He began his service in the Army National Guard as a junior in high school. While gone, Eric requests prayer for his wife Becky, daughter Reagan, who just turned one, and son Lincoln, born this summer. Mom has her hands full, but he is thankful that she looks to God for her strength.
Ellen Krulatz was deployed on May 30th from Fort McCoy to an undisclosed location in the Persian Gulf. She is a member of the National Guard 829th Engineering Unit. She and her family are from the Richland Center (Wisconsin) Free Methodist Church in the North Central Conference.
Captain Rick Winchester is a Free Methodist Chaplain in the U.S. Army, serving with the 86th Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade, — the "Thunderbirds." Rick was stationed in Afghanistan shortly after 9/11 and then Baghdad (he and FM Chaplain Chuck Roots had a Providential meeting at Camp Doha in Kuwait). He is currently stationed at Camp Humphreys in Korea. He is scheduled to return to his family in South Carolina around July 2005.
Sgt. Daniel Douglas was recently deployed with his National Guard unit and is currently awaiting orders. He hails from Akron Cornerstone FMC.
Chaplain Don Bridges (Capt.) is another one of our deployed FM chaplains. A member of the Genesee Conference, he is currently serving the U.S. Air Force at Fairchild AFB, WA. Don requests prayer for his wife, Connie, and three children — Ana, Madison and Mackenzie — while he is away.
Navy Chaplain Stephen Coates and his family (rollover image) are stationed in Iwakuni, Japan, where he is assigned as chaplain to the Marine Base Chapel. Coates writes that initial worship attendance was 18, including five of his family. Even though their assigned time for worship is 8 a.m., the attendance has now increased to around 140.
Matt Chupp, son of Steve and Lois Chupp, is serving in the United States Marine Corps in an undisclosed area of the Middle East. Matt and his family are part of the Richland Center (WI) FMC family in the North Central Conference. Matt was deployed from Camp Lejeune — Jacksonville, NC — on February 10. He is with the 2nd Marine division.
Chaplain Assistant Allen (last name left out intentionally) is part of the Tacoma (WA) First FMC in the Pacific Northwest Conference. He is currently serving with Air Force Special Operations Command at an undisclosed location in support of the war against terrorism. Pictured at left: airborne — 1,250 feet up at the back of an open C-130 aircraft — and up the hill from his chapel tent (rollover).
Chaplain John Hubbs formerly pastored in the Gateway Conference and does a mean Elvis impersonation. Following a three-month assignment in the Middle East (pictured at left), he is currently serving at McConnell Air Force Base. Click here to read a story about him from the March 8 edition of The Wichita Eagle.
Chaplain Chuck Roots was called away from the Ripon (CA) FMC to active duty as a Navy Chaplain to Marines. He was sent to Kuwait on May 1, after spending six months Camp Pendleton in Southern CA. Chuck has been writing columns about his experiences for his hometown paper, the Ripon Record. These "Roots on Deck" columns are also featured on our site. Roll your mouse over the picture at left to get an idea of his jovial side.