By Megan Miller, Editor
TRUSSVILLE – Two years ago, the Crosspoint Military Missions Ministry began.
“The idea began with the church minister of adults, Chris Howell,” Don Basner, facilitator of the program, said. “He asked because he always took note of the fact that I’d always been an extreme advocate of the military and the sacrifices that have been made to secure the freedom that we enjoy as a country like no other country in the world.”
Basner has been a member at Crosspoint for 16 years, and also served in the U.S. Army.
This year, the ministry isn’t asking for monetary or supply donations, but rather input from local veterans.
“Veterans can be of assistance by offering time and effort and contact leads to those fellow veterans that need our help, someone’s help,” Basner said.
The church provides the ministry logistical support, meeting places and administrative support including compiling listings, advertising and reaching out to veteran members and non-members.
There’s a construction ministry included, which has offered to help with building work, including wheelchair ramps, handicapped revisions to bathrooms, doorways and more. A transportation group provides assistance with transportation needs when they arise. The church also provides child care assistance when needed, and they send Christmas packages to active deployed personnel through donations of the church membership.
“Our motivation stems from being members of the military ourselves, from much of the news reporting that surrounds the treatment of veterans today, plus a lot of first hand reporting from other veterans in and out of the church and persons involved with other military ministries through the local and regional area,” Basner said. “If we can play even a small part in the benefit of one or two or more veterans, and try to improve their place in life after having served in the military and find it hard to adjust, it will all be worth it. They gave what they had to give. Now we need to give back to them because what we have and where we are today is because of these brave people.”
