Former military teens, now grown, hope to ignite faith in others

Published: 2007-03-15

GAMING, Austria (CNS) -- As a former "military brat" in Naples, Italy, Eric Heckman credits his participation in Club Beyond, the high school and middle school outreach mission of Military Community Youth Ministries, with spurring him on in the faith. "It was a catalyst in making the faith important to me," he said. Now Heckman and his wife, Jonie, hope to provide that same catalyst to others as two of the 50 staff members of Club Beyond in Europe. The mission of Military Community Youth Ministries is to "celebrate life with military teens, introducing them to the life-giver, Jesus Christ, and helping them be like him." The organization provides missionaries to fulfill U.S. government contracts for junior high and high school youth ministry services on more than 80 Army, Air Force and Navy bases in 13 countries. Through Club Beyond, an ecumenical program which began in 1980, teens gather weekly for fun and to hear about God's love through small-group discussions and Bible studies. Outreach programs such as camps and retreats also are part of the program.

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