by Jocelyn Green, author of Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives
Allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite ministries for veterans and their families: Point Man International Ministries (PMIM) has chapters, or outposts, all over the country. PMIM is run by veterans from all conflicts, nationalities and backgrounds. The primary focus of Point Man has always been to offer spiritual healing from PTSD, but Point Man today is also involved in group meetings, publishing, hospital visits, conferences, supplying speakers for churches and veteran groups, welcome home projects and community support. All services offered by Point Man are free of charge.
The mission of Point Man is:
“To connect the hurting veteran as well as their families and friends with others who have already begun the transition home after war. With Jesus Christ as our focal point it is our desire is to provide spiritual and emotional healing through our existing Outpost and Home Front system.”
Point Man also has “Homefront” groups lead by Christian mothers, wives and friends of both active duty military and veterans. They provide an understanding ear and caring heart that only those left behind at home can understand. They have experienced the stress of dealing with deployments and the effects of a loved one returning home from war.
Find an outpost or Homefront group near you by clicking here.
I attended my first Homefront Retreat in Kansas City, Kansas, this spring, and I was blown away by the supportive environment and the incredible messages (thanks to keynote speaker Marshele Carter Waddell). Every single woman who attended benefited–even those who were hard at work organizing and running the show.
I can tell you from my own personal interactions with both Point Man and Homefront leaders, these people care, they get it, and they really and truly want to help. They bend over backwards to help bring healing to veterans and those who love them, whether that’s a military wife, mom or friend. If there is a group in your area, I highly recommend checking them out for yourself.
Other ministries focusing on PTSD are covered in the following articles:
- “When the War Never Ends” (Christianity Today, July 14, 2009)
- “Ministries pave a spiritual path to help veterans with PTSD” (USA Today, August 5, 2009)
For further reading, I recommend the following books:
- Two Wars: One Hero’s Fight on Two Fronts–Abroad and Within by Nate Self. Good for anyone who wants to understand PTSD.
- The Combat Trauma Healing Manual by Rev. Chris Adsit. For veterans dealing with combat trauma.
- When War Comes Home: Christ-centered Healing for Wives of Combat Veterans by Chris and Rahnella Adsit, Marshele Carter Waddell. Workbook for veterans’ wives.
Other resources for PTSD include:
- Campus Crusade for Christ’s Military Ministry. They offer several resources, including the Bridges to Healing program, which is training for churches about how to minister to those with PTSD.
- The Sanctuary. This is an impressive ministry, providing a retreat of refuge for veterans in several states where they foster trust and healing.
