RFront line Scriptures

RAAF Chaplain Flight Lieutenant Joe Bove is often asked - ‘Padre, can I have one of those Bibles too, please? They are so cool!’ You don’t often hear young women or men in their 20’s saying this sort of thing anywhere, let alone in Australia’s Defence Forces. But that’s exactly what has been going on in some of Australia’s critical overseas deployments, when they encounter the special Defence Force edition of the Bible.

They have camouflage patterned covers, and inside are specially selected prayers for Defence Force members for their deployment, families and loved ones, and peace. It’s a complete Old and New Testament CEV (Contemporary English Version). It also includes a mini-dictionary for the Bible, as well as a 100 day Bible reading plan. The size of the Bible was specially chosen to fit camouflage uniform pockets worn by ADF members in the field and on deployments.

Insert Right: Chaplain Warwick Cuthbertson with the Defence Force Bible, ministering to a crew member of HMAS ARUNTA on a six month deployment

Insert Below: Chaplain Atsushi Shibaoka and RAAF member Mike with their Defence Force Bibles beside an Australian P3 Aircraft in the Middle East

Alice, a member of the Air Force, when faced with the uncertainty of deployment, recognised the need for guidance and reassurance. She says –‘I was relieved when I arrived and the Padre offered me a camouflaged copy. It’s been there when I needed help the most.’ A member of the HMAS Arunta crew on six month deployment in the Middle East says – ‘I am so grateful that the Bible Society continues to have the forethought to make God’s Word available to our armed forces personnel no matter where we happen to be deployed.”

Last year, Bible Society distributed 9,000 copies of the Defence Force Bible to members of our forces both in Australia and overseas – and there is an urgent need for more.

If you’d like to see more of the Defence Force Bible in action go to our website, www.biblesocietynsw.com.au Will you partner with us to ensure that personnel in the Armed Forces continue to receive the Defence Force Bible? Please send us your tax deductible donation with the coupon on the back page of the magazine, phone our donor line 1300 552 537, or donate online using your credit card at www.biblesocietynsw.com.au.

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