EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — The Eglin Chapel Center at 202 N. 8th Street is offering a marriage seminar to base couples, individuals, active duty soldiers, civilians and contractors.

The "Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Seminar is described as "hilarious, practical and no-holds-barred marriage training."

Times are 12:30-1:30 p.m. Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30. Lunch will be provided to attendees.

For more information, call 882-2111.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: "Laugh your Way to a Better Marriage" program is Sept. 9 on Eglin

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE — Eglin Chapel is hosting women's Bible study sessions starting Sept. 9. Attendees will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the West Gate Chapel Annex, 202 N. 8th Street.

The theme for the study is, "Worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth." New topics will be presented each week. The meetings are open to women with base access. For details, contact Janette Gregg, 863-4264.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Women's Bible study group begins Sept. 9 on Eglin

CRESTVIEW — Shelly Serrano knows what it’s like to be a military mom and spouse, and she uses that experience to help Army spouses facing the same challenges.

As president of the Protestant Women of the Chapel's 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) chapter, she’s able to share the same support and comfort she’s found in the organization.

“I had four children all under the age of 6 and my husband was about to be deployed,” Serrano said. “I joined PWOC just to get support from the other women. Just to build that bond with other women is a tremendous tool that God has used in my life.”

The summer opening of a PWOC chapter at the 7th Special Forces Group cantonment brings a resource to local Army families that is already available on most other Army bases.

Working with chaplains at the cantonment’s Liberty Chapel, Serrano and her group offer outreach and in-reach programs, including social events, Bible studies and spiritual and emotional support, especially for group wives whose husbands are deployed.

ALL FAITHS

The new chapter has about 30 members, but it has already made an impact with well-attended August outreach programs, Serrano said.

Events have included a Movie on the Lawn night, a Prayer Walk in Crestview’s Twin Hills Park, and a barbecue lunch fundraiser.

“A member of our board’s husband loves to cook,” Serrano said. “We had Mexican beans and rice and his barbecue chicken, and we raised almost $1,000 that day.”

Though the organization’s name says “Protestant,” Serrano said PWOC is open to Army spouses of any faith.

“It’s all the different Christian denominations coming together, breaking down barriers, learning about the Bible and loving each other” Serrano said.

“No judgments are made. Our (PWOC) leadership team simply loves on these women,” battalion chaplain Capt. Kevin Mucher said. “They listen to their stories, offer a shoulder to cry on and provide biblical counsel when invited.

“It is especially rewarding when women come in broken, upset, confused and depart refreshed, revived and restored.”

REACHING OUT AND IN

PWOC centers on its guiding goals: “To lead women to Christ; To teach women God’s Word; To develop women’s spiritual gifts; (and) to involve women in chapel ministries.”

“That’s what it’s all about,” Serrano said.

Outreach programs include hosting social functions and family events, child sitting, and matching “buddies” with newly arrived Army spouses.

In-reach includes PWOC “secret sisters” who surprise each other with anonymous gifts. Members provide Thanksgiving food for needy Army families and bake cookies for deployed soldiers.

Meetings include presentations by Army support groups, advice on finding services and assistance, and social events including meals and games.Free childcare is always provided to allow spouses undistracted time with other women.

“Women who attend our weekly Christ-centered studies receive more than theology, doctrine and religious application,” Mucher said. “They receive much needed fellowship and adult conversation with women from our staff who are trained and gifted to provide pastoral care, counsel and authentic friendships.”

‘BE KIND AND COMPASSIONATE’

For the fall semester, regular Bible study days will begin with a devotional before the women split into groups that delve into faith-based parenting, studying David Platt’s book “Radical,” or a study of the book of Philippians.

“For most of these ladies, PWOC is the highlight for the week and has served as a critical support system to assist them in enduring through deployments and navigating motherhood and military life,” Mucher said.

Serrano said this year’s PWOC theme, “Loving Others Like Christ,” drawn from Ephesians 4:32-5:2, perfectly expresses the organization’s goals: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love.”

Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Protestant Women of the Chapel help 7SFG(A) spouses through life's challenges

CRESTVIEW — St. Mark United Methodist Church  at 2250 PJ Adams Parkway in Crestview will honor first responders this Sunday at all four services, two at 9 a.m., one at 10:15 a.m. and one at 11:30 a.m.

A St. Mark spokesperson said, "We are thankful for the daily sacrifice they make to serve us in the community and we want to pause to honor and celebrate them.

"If you are or know a fireman, policeman, EMT or other first responder, invite them to attend."

For more information, call  850-682-5280 or visit the church website.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: St. Mark church honors first responders Sept. 7

When Justin Mozina was growing up in Crestview, he was not serious enough about preparing to go on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission.

He says, “I was one of the most unprepared missionaries to serve a mission in the Zimbabwe Harare South African Mission.” Nevertheless, serve a mission he did. This was an answer to a prayer; he was struggling to decide if he should serve or not, so he got on his knees to pray.

The first thing that he remembered was something his sister had told him after returning from the LDS Young Women’s Summer Camp. She said to him, "If you have a problem, pray and then open the scriptures, and you will find your answer."

He continues, “So I opened my scriptures and there was Doctrine and Covenants 4: 2-4, and I read: 'Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work.'

"I knew that was the answer to my prayers and that I needed to go. And I had no idea what I was getting myself into!”

Typically, young folks looking forward to a mission attend four years of Early Morning Seminary, where they learn their scriptures from the Bible and the Book of Mormon, as well as church history. These classes take place every high school day at 5:45 a.m. Also, many go out teaching with the missionaries, and also use the guide called "Preach My Gospel."

According to Elder Mozina, his most important preparation was having a strong testimony of the Restoration and the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Justin had many spiritual experiences, but the one which touched him the most was when he was reading the Book of Mormon to his investigators. He states, “We were in 3 Nephi 17 when Christ is among the native tribes and he heals the multitude of all their afflictions. That day, I felt the spirit testify to me that Christ is our Savior and redeemer of us all and that through his atonement, we all can be healed. And I knew that our listeners knew it too, at that very moment.”

While on his mission he learned many valuable lessons. He said, ”The most important thing I learned was that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that he truly did atone for our sins.

"All of the knowledge I gained on my mission was important, but nothing can be more important to me than the strong testimony that was forged through teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Zimbabwe. I will be forever grateful to my Father in Heaven for giving me the opportunity to discover that.”

He added some advice for those contemplating a mission, “There will be ups and downs on your missions, but not one second of it will you ever regret if you wholeheartedly serve the Lord with all your might. I loved every second of my mission and I loved the people that I served, and I know you will too.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man serves as elder, missionary in South Africa