SASRA ©
SASRA’S COMMITMENT TO WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY – 10 SEPTEMBER
By Lt Col (Retd) Dr Martin Gliniecki QGM, Executive Director
As Christian-military evangelists, our Scripture Readers stand on the front lines of spiritual welfare and emotional support for our Armed Forces. As mental health challenges continue to impact military personnel at alarming rates, SASRA’s mission remains clear and urgent: to offer the hope of the gospel, strengthen the weary, and where possible prevent tragedy, including suicide among service members, the major cause of death among young men and our Armed Forces remain mostly young men.
Our Scripture Readers stand on the front lines of spiritual welfare and emotional support for our Armed Forces.
Military life often involves intense physical and emotional pressures — combat stress, long deployments, separation from loved ones, and the constant demand for resilience. These factors can create deep spiritual and psychological wounds. Some personnel struggle silently, burdened by guilt, trauma and isolation. Tragically, a few see no way out. However, help is possible because our Scripture Readers are within barracks and bases across the UK and overseas. They do not merely visit from the outside; they live among the troops, listen to their struggles, and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Through daily conversations, Bible studies, and one-to-one pastoral care, Scripture Readers bring light into some of the darkest corners of military life.
UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025
Our gospel ministry is transformational and can be deeply pastoral. By walking with soldiers and aviators in their lowest moments, Scripture Readers offer more than empathy — they bring the peace and purpose that comes through a personal relationship with Christ. For those battling anxiety, depression, despair or even considering suicide, this hope can be life-saving. It reminds them that they are seen, loved and never beyond redemption.
SASRA © ‘Our gospel ministry is transformational and can be deeply pastoral.’
However, SASRA’s work cannot continue without the faithful support of the wider Church. There is a growing need for prayer: for protection over Scripture Readers, for open doors among military leadership, and for hearts ready to receive the gospel. Every conversation, every Bible or tract given, and every life touched is accompanied in prayer, because without that spiritual foundation, the work cannot bear fruit. Alongside prayer, financial support is crucial. As a charity, SASRA continues to receive no government funding. The presence of each Scripture Reader is made possible through the generous donations of our serving members, partners, supporters, churches and trusts, who believe in the power of the gospel to transform lives. Funding allows for the training and deployment of new Readers — three this month alone — the distribution of Bibles and resources, and the expansion of the ministry into new military contexts.
But let me be clear. We are evangelists first, sharing the unchanging gospel by nature, because we believe it is the best starting point for all life’s ills, including crisis intervention and signposting. Moreover, our work is also about long-term discipleship, building a foundation of faith that strengthens individuals against future trials. In this way, SASRA contributes to a more spiritually resilient military, where personnel are better equipped to cope with the mental and emotional toll of service life. As the UK faces a rising tide of mental health challenges, including within its Armed Forces, our work has never been more essential. Through the gospel, through presence, through prayer, and the need for funding growth, SASRA stands ready to help save lives — not just physically, but eternally.
SASRA contributes to a more spiritually resilient military, where personnel are better equipped to cope with the mental and emotional toll of service life.
PRAY WITH US
- Give thanks for the work of our Scripture Readers and the role they play in the mental health and welfare of soldiers and aviators.
- Our Scripture Readers have relationships with many individuals who are facing a variety of difficulties, pray that they would be able to support these soldiers and aviators well and share something of the hope of Christ with them.
