God at Work in the Military

2007 brought many exciting ministry moments to the Savannah River Baptist Association. One of those moments was the opportunity to enter into a ministry partnership with David and Linda Aspden as representatives of Campus Crusade for Christ, Military Ministries. This partnership involves the use of the Port Royal Ministry Center (formerly the Seafarers’ Center) as the location for a new ministry outreach to military personnel and their families.

David and Linda Aspden have been married for 29 years. David is a Kentucky native and Linda is a native of Ohio. They have one son, Luke, who lives in Bluffton.

Before entering into Military Ministry, David spent most of his professional career in the field of Automotive Manufacturing Management. He also worked for three years for Pulte Home at the Sun City Hilton Head location.

Linda has a professional background in Sales/Marketing and Financial Industry. She is currently the Real Estate Account Executive for the Beaufort Gazette/Island Packet.

Their prior missions experience includes over 10 years working with inner city homeless missions and the Directors of Faith Line Ministries, which mainly focused on strategic coordination between corporate donations and areas of ministry in need, by providing distribution of food, clothing, medical products, and personal hygiene products. The focus groups reached by Faith Line Ministries were diverse but included Native American Indians, Military family Ministries, and Baptist Centers.

A few years ago, Luke joined the U.S. Marine Corp and went through Parris Island, SC for his basic training. He then spent four years stationed at MCAS Beaufort SC attached to VMFA AW-533 Air Wing. It was during this time the Lord began to burden the hearts of both David and Linda for military ministry.

David and Linda completed their staff training with Campus Crusade for Christ in May 2003 and are currently serving as Directors of Military Ministry Religious Education operating under the Chaplaincy of Parris Island Marine Corp. Recruit Depot.

After a few years of working with recruits, drill instructors, local church volunteers and others, they have been blessed to watch this ministry grow. And as usually happens, when the ministry begins to grow, God begins to grow our vision as well. Over the past year and a half, God gave the vision to David and Linda for finding a place off Parris Island that could become a place of ministry to military personnel and their families. Through this vision, as mentioned above, a partnership between the Aspden’s and SRBA has developed regarding the use of the Port Royal Ministry Center. Through a variety of events and the use of local church volunteers, the message and love of Christ is being shared and this vision is becoming reality.

The Port Royal Ministry Center has many ministry opportunities available. If you or your congregation feel God leading you to be involved in this growing ministry, please contact David Aspden @ 843-271-5305 for more information.

February 2008 Schedule of Events Open to all Military Personnel.

Sunday February 3rd Super Bowl Party 6:30 pm Lowcountry Boil provided
/Bring snack
Tuesday February 5th Mens Bible Study 6:30 pm
Tuesday February 19th Mens Bible Study 6:30 pm
Tuesday February 26th Women's Book Club 6:30 pm

Now is your opportunity to join with us in this God- sized
mission! We are excited about the growth and expansion of this outreach.
"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the
harvest, therefore to send out workers into his harvest field." Luke 10:2. Now is your time to sow into the harvest. "I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." John 4:35

David and Linda Aspden
Directors
Military Ministry
Parris Island, SC