LifeBox initiative shows soldiers that churches care

By Polly House

Baptist Press

Michael Krause, a second lieutenant Marine deployed in Afghanistan, said he was buoyed by the LifeBox he received from Baptists back home.

BP photo

BP

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - For some soldiers serving far away from home, mail time is one of the most anticipated times of day. And for those whose only mail is one of the thousands of magazines sent by adult-oriented publishers, it's a day to remember how lonely they really are.

For the soldiers who receive LifeBoxes from their home churches or associations, it's a day for celebration and a continued commitment to their Christian values.

In the fall of 2006, the church resources division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention began working with Baptist associations to create the LifeBox initiative.

For example, 22 churches in the New River Baptist Association in Jacksonville, N.C., packed and mailed more than 800 LifeBoxes to deployed soldiers from their area for the 2007 Easter Sunday LifeBox mailing goal.

"I can't remember a time when the churches of the New River Baptist Association have been as excited as they have been with the LifeBox project," said Sandy Bain, the association's director of missions. "Many of our churches are having 'packing parties' with GAs, RAs, youth and adult Sunday school classes. Needless to say, there is an excitement in the air."

A LifeBox is packed with items such as a personal note to a service member, gum, socks, small candies, stationery supplies, homemade goodies and wet wipes, plus a LifeWay magazine. Christian music CDs and books also are appreciated.

"LifeBox is a way that LifeWay can work with local churches and Baptist associations to make a positive contribution to our Armed Forces personnel," said Rhonda Buescher, director of LifeWay's magazine advertising and circulation.

"LifeBox is a simple way to offer a good alternative to secular magazines that are readily available," she said. "Christians serving in the Armed Forces have said that mail and Christian magazines are greatly appreciated, and now we have an opportunity to have a positive impact on their lives through LifeBox."

Addresses of individual military personnel or chaplains can be collected from churches or from web sites that house names of military personnel who wish to receive mail. Personal notes should be written and packed with other items in a flat rate mailer.

Churches and associations need to mail their boxes about three weeks prior to the targeted receipt date. Holidays are an especially meaningful time for military personnel to receive packages, but they are appreciated anytime.

For more information, visit www.lifeway.com/lifebox.