Marines receive Strength for Service devotionals

Marines from the Naval Air Station in Fort Worth, Texas, stand with Larry Copock (left), Mary-Sheba Graves (center) and the Rev. David Adams (right) after being presented with copies of the Strength for Service devotional. A UMNS photo by Mike DuBose.

By Deborah White*

FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS)-A group of Marines based in Fort Worth received copies of the devotional book Strength for Service to God and Country in a presentation during the 2008 United Methodist General Conference.

The marines, members of Marine Aircraft Group 41, received the books from United Methodist Men and Gathering of Eagles, a national group that supports military troops.

"It's an honor to be respected and supported," said Sgt. Dean Williams of Louisville, Ky., holding a stack of the devotionals for friends at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. He was among seven Marines on hand for the presentation.

The event took place on May 2 at the Fort Worth Convention Center, where the United Methodist legislative assembly was meeting. The soldiers had attended a breakfast earlier sponsored by Good News, an organization that works for evangelical renewal in The United Methodist Church.

"We are partnering with other organizations to help distribute this book to the military," said Larry Coppock, national director of scouting ministries for United Methodist Men.

Presenting the books were Coppock; the Rev. David C. Adams, chief executive of the men's organization; and Mary-Sheba Graves, Texas education project coordinator for Gathering of Eagles. Graves' son serves in the Air Force.

Republished book
Strength for Service is a revision of a book carried 60 years ago by Eugene Hunsberger during World War II. Hunsberger was given the book while serving in the Navy, and he continued to read from it for the rest of his life. In 2002, his teenage grandson, Evan, spearheaded a project to republish the book for his Eagle Scout project.

The Commission on United Methodist Men supported Evan's work, and with the Pentagon's approval, began raising money to give copies to members of the military. United Methodist Publishing House is a partner in printing the books.

"We just topped $1 million raised," Coppock said. "We have more than 4,000 donors for this project. We have given out about 300,000 copies."

Adams said the ministry has taken on a life of its own. "The money comes in and we buy new books," he said.

Evan Hunsberger will be recognized at the Duty to God breakfast during the national annual meeting of the Boy Scouts of America, set for May 21-23 in San Diego.

"He is Catholic, his troop is sponsored by the Lutheran church, and The United Methodist Church is distributing the book," Coppock said. "It's true to the spirit of this book.

*White is associate editor of Interpreter magazine.