Book Explores Christian Faith's Effects on Soldiers, Booming Iraqi Church
by Allie Martin
April 20, 2004
(AgapePress) - A Christian journalist says believers are making an impact in war-torn Iraq. Last year Sara Horn and photographer Jim Veneman spent time on the aircraft carrier, the USS Truman, as the Iraqi war started. Then, in November, they were in Baghdad, where Horn was working for Baptist Press.
Horn had many chances to witness inspirational moments as she spent time in these military settings, and to see the enormous influence of faith among U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq. She writes about the influence of Christians in the war in a new book called A Greater Freedom: Stories of Faith from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The author tells how believers are making a difference in Iraq. For instance, she relates the story of Christian chaplain Eddie Cook who prayed for his men during a sandstorm. "Chaplain Cook whispered a prayer to God to slow down the winds, and the winds did subside," she says, "but he felt convicted that he had not spoken that prayer out loud."
However, Horn notes, the chaplain got another opportunity to ask for God's protection during another sandstorm. "The men were actually asking the chaplain, 'Please pray for us.' And he stepped out in the middle of the tent and called on the name of Jesus to, please, protect them, and the wind subsided," she says.
The author points out that many of the Iraqi people have expressed gratitude for the sacrifices Americans are making for their freedom. She says the liberation of Iraq has had a major impact on Christian believers -- not only in the military, but also within the embattled nation.
"We didn't just see the greater freedom that Christians in the military have with their faith in God," Horn says, "but we also saw how that is being strengthened and expanded in the country of Iraq with the Iraqi Christians. There are churches springing up everywhere, and we really need to pray that these churches are able to stay aboveground and won't have to go back underground."
Former U.S. Marine Colonel Oliver North served as executive editor of A Greater Freedom.
