14 SEPTEMBER 2025 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition IN THE WORD I'm in Alaska for our 14th season of Operation Heal Our Patriots. Every Sunday we bring in a new group of wounded veterans and their spouses for a weeklong marriage retreat led by former military chaplains. Couples are greeted by a cheering, flagwaving crowd of residents, staff, and volunteers. It is always a privilege for Jane Austin and me to welcome them as they step onto the gravel runway. They go through daily, biblically based classes designed to strengthen their marriages. They are also able to enjoy wilderness excursions in God's beautiful creation, including fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Some of them have wandered far from God. Some are angry at Him and at each other. Couples often bring up tough issues that have severely strained their relationship. We always share with them truth from God's Word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the only hope for salvation and true change. And when the Lord changes hearts, He heals hurting marriages. So far this year, 56 people have made decisions for Christ, turning to the Lord in repentance and faith. We give God all the glory. On Fridays, we wind up the week with a time for marriage rededications and baptisms in the cold waters of Lake Clark. We rejoice that 37 couples have renewed their marriage vows before God, and 54 individuals have been baptized during the first seven weeks. Army Sergeant First Class Ben Creek served over two decades in the military, deploying twice to combat in Iraq and once to Afghanistan. He and his wife, Amy, had recently quit years of alcohol abuse and came to Alaska seeking a new start. We praise God that they both found new life in the Lord Jesus Christ. Amy said, "We've learned how to bring Christ into our marriage and our lives. It's a new beginning." Will you please join me in praying for the nearly 170 military couples who are traveling to Alaska this summer? We're trusting the Lord will do great things in the lives of these American heroes who have sacrificed so much. SamaritansPurse.org, July, 19, 2025; ©2025 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; used by permission, all rights reserved. Operation Heal Our Patriots: "It's a New Beginning" - Franklin Graham - President and CEO Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Carlos and his wife, Marcy, received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior while in Alaska. Franklin Graham prays with couples. Couples are greeted as they arrive by plane each Sunday in the summer Photo Credit: BGEA Photo Credit: BGEA Photo Credit: BGEA
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