Soldier Ministries
Gary Fox, a 25-year veteran of the United States Army, founded Soldier Ministries in 2003. Gary served in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm, Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and twice in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. The Army awarded him the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, and numerous other awards for his service as a Military Policeman and then as a Military Intelligence analyst.
Gary’s proudest achievement in life however, is answering God’s call to minister to others. God first called Gary to the ministry while he was 15-years old, but as a teen he turned his back to the ministry, but eventually after God worked more into his heart, he answered the call.
“When I was 15, I used to have the most vivid dreams. It was like watching a television show. Each morning I would awaken remembering each detail. I saw myself as an older adult preaching from a pulpit. I knew deep down in my heart God was calling me to the ministry, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do. I never told anyone then of those dreams, not even my Christian brothers and sisters at church and school. I was afraid some people would make fun of me, but what I was afraid of the most was being encouraged by others to answer the call because just wanted to ignore it and thought if I ignored it long enough, God would just change his mind. One night God gave me a revelation. In those dreams at 15, I didn’t see myself as a young man, but I saw myself as an older adult. That was a key I never recognized before. God was not calling me to go to college and seminary after high school like I thought. He was telling me in those dreams that He was preparing me for the ministry in later life. He was paving the way for me and making all the preparations.”
Gary has ministered to a great number of our military men and women while preparing to deploy to war and while in war zones. His story on his calling and how he finally came to accept it and act upon it as a Soldier of God is truly remarkable and will touch the hearts of your congregation. Acts 6:4 “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the World.”
“This may sound strange to some people, but God had blessed me to serve in war zones four different times. My soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq would remark to me how calm I always appeared to be whenever we came under a mortar or rocket attack. My response to them would always be the same, ‘I prayed God would keep me from being afraid so that as a leader I will be calm to help you be calm. I also know if God chose today my life on Earth to be over, I will be with Him for eternity. That gives me peace.”
Gary would love the opportunity to share his experiences with you and your congregation. For more information, contact him at (706) 348-1727.
