Today I flew to Tampa, FL to share in the retirement ceremony of my dear friend, Col. David West. His good and distinguished service has been an inspiration to many and I know a grateful nation is stronger for his uncompromising stand on the Word of God. He is retiring from his assignment as Command Chaplain with Central Command. This assignment afforded David the opportunity and responsibility to stand alongside General Tommy Franks during the initial difficult days of the War on Terror in Iraq. I'm proud to know David in this position and am personally grateful that those days of military service will be completely behind him on 31 December 2010.
My gratefulness for this closure in David's life is fed by the knowledge that David will once again now become a full-time part of our GEM work globally. While God used him in good ways to share the gospel with a particular strata of people over the past several years, but the declining spiritual and moral condition in our national leaders and placed an unfair burden on those who are trying to share the Truth of Jesus in a broad sector. With this retirement, David will be more passionate, more personal, and more powerful in His gift calling.
In a matter of a few weeks, I am convinced that David will be with us again on our projects in Ghana, Czech Republic, and other, yet to be mentioned, opportunities for service. This are going to be the best of times.
I hope you will take a moment to pray on Friday for David, his dear wife Faye, and his entire family as they begin to adjust to a return to civilian lives. They will be moving from Tampa to South Carolina in the next few days. Also, please take a moment to thank a member of the military when you see them for the wonderful sacrifice they are making in keeping our nation free.
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