El Paso County is home to five military installations; and, according to the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Military Snapshot, by 2013; Fort Carson alone is projected to have a population of 26,000 soldiers plus 39,500 family members.With military personnel dispersed across the globe, many military spouses and their families are left with a tremendous void, often without the support of local friends and family. FaithBridge Baptist Church of Falcon is a new resource to help families fill that void. Pastor Trevor Christian, also a former active-duty military member, and his wife Lindsay noticed a need for a support program this past Christmas season. “Lindsay shared with me the incredible numbers of spouses that came through the post office at the bank she works at,” Christian said. “She told me about all the moms she helped with their arms full of care packages and with kids in tow. Our hearts go out to them and the sacrifices that both are making, and we want to help them during this difficult time.”Christian’s plan is to assist families of a deployed military member as best as they can.Providing child care while a spouse runs errands, inviting a family to dinner or simply talking with the family are examples of help available from FaithBridge, Christian said.Christian and his wife spent 12 years in Missouri before moving to Colorado in 2006. While in Missouri, he was a bio-environmental engineering journeyman at Whitman Air Force Base and also served as a youth minister. “I still have a passion for students and especially value the opportunities I have to mentor young men,” Christian said. “The same can be said for Lindsay and guiding young women.”Christian has been the pastor at FaithBridge for one year; in February, the church relocated from Black Forest to Falcon. “The church is three years old, but I am officially re-launching it with a new vision and focus,” he said. “I’m really trying to use my experience in the military to best minister in our community and its unique needs.”The new ministry at FaithBridge isn’t limited to military families; any family who has a loved one living overseas as a civilian contractor or families of individuals who travel for their work for extended periods of time are welcome. “We are about going out into our community and doing, rather than insisting that people come to us before we recognize their needs,” Christian said. “We want to be proactive in our approach to serving the needs of all our neighbors.”Visit www.faithbridgebaptist.org for more information.
