House of Prayer Christian Church Fayetteville, NC
On three occasions, Fayetteville has been honored by the National Civic League with the distinguished All-American City Award. Time Magazine recognized Fayetteville for its support of military families and identified it as “America’s Most Pro Military Town.” It has been named as one of the best places to retire and live in the U.S. by Where to Retire magazine. Other awards include #1 Job Market in the country for recent college graduates, The Daily Beast; #2 Highest Per Capita Income Growth in North Carolina, the Bureau of Economic Analysis; #3 Most Affordable Housing Market in the Nation, BusinessWeek Magazine: #3 Job Market in the nation, Manpower, Inc.; #5 Strongest Housing Market in the US, Bloomberg BusinessWeek; #7 America’s Strongest Building Market, Business Week; Top 5 for defense Industry Development in U.S., Expansion Solutions Magazine; #14 Top 25 Uniquely American Cities and Towns, Newsmax; and #18 Best Performing City in America, the Milken Institute.
This city also has a rich history summed up in its motto of “History, Heroes, and a Hometown Feeling.” Yet as a placid lake can mask the dangers lurking below the surface, so are the problems facing Fayetteville. Ranking sixth in the nation in human trafficking, second in the top five of the Army’s largest non-training bases for suicide, and where 19% of homicides are attributed to an intimate partner or domestic violence, Fayetteville is in great need of help. That help can be found in House of Prayer Christian Church Fayetteville, NC, which stands as a moral bastion against all the social evils plaguing not just this city but America as a whole. Desperately in need of a change in the standards of behavior and character, everyone must adhere to a conduct of excellence. With that said, the question can be asked, “How?” By taking and practicing the same example of House of Prayer Christian Church Fayetteville, NC, where civilian or soldier, old or young, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, all are welcomed and instructed in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though they provide diverse first-rate services to Fayetteville and the surrounding counties of Cumberland, Hoke, and Harnett, two outreaches to focus on right now are the military and family.
Military Outreach (Ft Bragg and Pope Army Airfield)
When a nation goes against cultural and moral practices, it can have a devastating effect, especially when it pertains to the military. This is shown throughout history and in many cultures and is evidenced in children under the age of nineteen having been extensively involved in military campaigns; civilians murdered, mistreated, or tortured; or cities and towns with no military importance being wantonly pillaged. Many aberrant behaviors can be identified and rectified by reaching out to soldiers in their youth before they explode from the pressure building up inside. Attending House of Prayer Christian Church Fayetteville, NC, and living the principles of Christianity, which is to deny oneself, is a release valve. It changes the outlook from one’s self and creates compassion and a desire to help others. When a soldier is looking out for others in their squad, platoon, or company, there is more cohesion and less anxiety and tension. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous (Romans 5:19).”
House of Prayer Christian Church Fayetteville, NC Service
Life as a service member is full of many challenges. Often, they are young, single men and women leaving home for the first time, going to a new place without the comfort of family, and experiencing the loss of interaction with childhood friends. They are forced to “start over” – at times over and over throughout their career – and make new friends. To some, this places a heavy burden upon them and causes mental stress. In addition, they experience the pressures of deploying to war zones, responding to national disasters and civil unrest, and having large amounts of money at their disposal for the first time in their life. This has led to a 30% spike in suicides among all active-duty soldiers, particularly taking its toll in the Army. Three times more soldiers have died this year at Ft. Bragg by suicide than were killed by the enemy.
One soldier shared how at her first duty station in South Korea, the Command Sergeant Major took his own life over the Thanksgiving holiday. He was found four days later after not reporting for work. The source seemed to be the marital troubles he was going through. The soldier stated it caused her to see that neither rank, time in grade, age, money, or social position and standing mattered – everyone has a breaking point. This event had a lasting affect where now she enjoys helping fellow soldiers by volunteering to cook for single soldiers at the House of Prayer Christian Church Servicemen’s Home.
In understanding the great need in-service member’s lives, House of Prayer Christian Church Fayetteville, NC, has adopted these lonely military men and has provided a Servicemen’s Home for them. This is a special place – a home away from home. It is a place to get away from the barracks and lay their head down and get a good night’s rest. A place where Bible reading and prayer is prevalent. Over and over, when asked what they like about the HOPCC Servicemen’s Home, young soldiers claim there is peace and tranquility. It helps to free them from unpleasant thoughts and emotions and to restrain youthful passions. There is access to a preacher to help guide them in spiritual matters and godly fellowship. “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friends (Proverbs 27:17).”
There are home-cooked dinners prepared and Q & A (an informal Bible Study with participants asking the questions) for all the military personnel. For many, the HOPCC Servicemen’s Home has become family to them.
Uniting Families (Strong Marriages)
House of Prayer Christian Church Fayetteville, NC, engages in an outreach to single soldiers, but they also reach out to families. Lack of parenting and partner support with childcare and household chores are the number one causes of serious child injury and marital problems among military families. Tensions may be increased further by social stresses due to inadequate finances or other such problems coupled with frequent deployments and absences.
House of Prayer Christian Church Fayetteville, NC helps military families recognize and prepare for the unique challenges of a military lifestyle by first producing a strong scriptural foundation through inspirational preaching, dynamic Bible studies, personal Bible reading, and prayer meetings. Building upon this, there are teachings given concerning various duties and responsibilities of marriage as prescribed in the Word of God (Ephesians 6 & Colossians 3). Following this, the church looks after the physical needs such as financial guidance, help with child-rearing, and interpersonal communication. In conclusion, with all the problems facing the city of Fayetteville and the military community, there is a beacon of hope – House of Prayer Christian Church Fayetteville, NC.