A Precious Window of Time
Lessons from Mogadishu and Other Battles
Pastor Jeff Struecker is a former Army Ranger portrayed in the movie Black Hawk Down. He retired as a Chaplain after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jeff Struecker was a 24-year-old Army Ranger when he led a convoy into the fiercest fighting of Somalia. He was prominently featured in the movie, Black Hawk Down. But the quieter part of history is how this soft-spoken man committed himself to sharing the gospel that day. In his own words: “My faith was really strong in Somalia. But what the Lord overwhelmingly placed on my heart is a desire to see others have the kind of faith that I had.” When the battle ended, 19 troops had died and 73 were wounded. Fellow Soldiers clamored for Struecker to help them secure their eternal future.
But the quieter part of history is how this soft-spoken man committed himself to sharing the gospel that day. In his own words: “My faith was really strong in Somalia. But what the Lord overwhelmingly placed on my heart is a desire to see others have the kind of faith that I had.” When the battle ended, 19 troops had died and 73 were wounded. Fellow Soldiers clamored for Struecker to help them secure their eternal future.
“I spent years trying to share my faith . . . I didn’t think I was making any difference,” said Struecker. “Then, the events of Somalia happened, and I realized, ‘Oh! People were noticing. They were noticing all along.’”
Twenty-four years later, Struecker still feels the profound urgency of sharing the gospel. But he is especially passionate about building communities of discipleship for our military. “These men and women will go into harm’s way. Some will not come back,” he said. “You have a chance to reach somebody who may be facing eternity soon.”
After the Battle of Mogadishu, Struecker became a Chaplain. While serving in a basic training camp, he found the Military Ministry of Cru programs indispensable.
“A lot of young men and women who have never been receptive to the gospel before, when they go away to basic training, all of a sudden, there’s this brief period of time where they really become open. There’s a lot more ministry than the chaplain can do. This is where the Military Ministry of Cru steps in.”
But without Cru Military volunteers, many troops would not get their questions answered. Some would try to figure out God on their own or with their peers and become misdirected. A precious window for sharing the gospel closes. “One of my prayers, is that every initial entry trainee gets a chance to go through Cru Military’s program,” said Struecker. “I’ve seen thousands of lives transformed that way.”
“One of my prayers, is that every initial entry trainee gets a chance to go through Cru Military’s program,” said Struecker. “I’ve seen thousands of lives transformed that way.”
Since retiring from the Army, God is using Struecker as lead pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Georgia. With Fort Benning nearby, many members of the congregation are active duty or veterans. They are an example of how churches are vital to Cru Military’s community of caring. “The local church comes along the Military Ministry of Cru with people and money and with prayers, and Cru Military gets in the doors that the local church just can’t get into,” said Struecker. “It’s a great, complementary relationship.”
Struecker’s fervent desire is that no Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman will face the end of their life without a chance to accept the gift of salvation. He asks others to join him in supporting Cru Military, to reach more leaders who will make disciples who will make disciples. “It’s amazing to see what God is doing right now through this gateway ministry. If you have a passion for souls and you are willing to meet people at one of their greatest times of need, you should consider getting involved with Cru Military.”
“The local church comes along the Military Ministry of Cru with people and money and with prayers, and Cru Military gets in the doors that the local church just can’t get into,” said Struecker. “It’s a great, complementary relationship.” Struecker’s fervent desire is that no Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman will face the end of their life without a chance to accept the gift of salvation. He asks others to join him in supporting Cru Military, to reach more leaders who will make disciples who will make disciples. “It’s amazing to see what God is doing right now through this gateway ministry. If you have a passion for souls and you are willing to meet people at one of their greatest times of need, you should consider getting involved with Cru Military.”