Image: Recruits attend a baptism service to show their support. © SASRA 2025
Just two years ago, SASRA employed 13 faithful Scripture Readers, all committed to sharing the life-changing gospel with our Armed Forces. Inspired by God’s Word, we stepped out in faith to grow our ministry. Veterans stepped forward, ready to be trained and deployed, and today we have 21 Scripture Readers, serving across the UK and overseas, reaping a harvest in what many are calling a quiet revival—ours being within the military.
We stepped out in faith to grow our ministry.
One remarkable example of this movement is unfolding at the Army Training Regiment (ATR) Winchester, where new recruits undergo their 13-week basic training. Alongside marching, shooting, map reading, fitness and fieldcraft, trainees are encountering something even more powerful with the help and commitment of our Scripture Reader, Lee Philipson: the gospel.
God is clearly at work.
Only eight weeks into their training, 15 recruits were baptised and two confirmed their faith at a Sunday morning church service in the Light Division Chapel. Over one hundred people filled the chapel to witness the service, including their colleagues who voluntarily attended to show support. This is not a one-off event—this year has seen a string of baptismal services at ATR Winchester, where Lee continues to share the truth of Jesus Christ, without compromise. God is clearly at work.
Image: The recruits and the Scripture Reader at the service. © SASRA 2025
And we are building on this momentum at the other two Army basic training centres. Johnny Crawford has just joined Dave Hossack in Catterick, and Lee McDade will deploy to Pirbright next year. As these young believers move from training into active service, our Scripture Readers will be ready to disciple and support them, wherever they are posted. We know they will be tempted, Scripture tells us to expect opposition for our faith. But as God’s Word assures us, salvation is by faith alone:
‘They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’
None of this would be possible without you—our faithful supporters, donors, volunteers, churches and trusts. Your prayers, time and generosity are fuelling this gospel ministry to our Armed Forces, at a time of spiritual awakening and great need.
If you are new to SASRA, we invite you to join us. Pray. Volunteer. Fundraise. Give. Together, we are sharing the greatest story ever told with those who serve us!
