As 2024 draws to a close, we want to thank you for your invaluable prayers, generous giving and incredible volunteering over the year. We look back at some of the notable events.
PRAYING
Our mission is fuelled by prayer. We held a 12-hour prayer meeting in Catterick, Europe’s largest garrison town, as well as special Virtual Prayer Meetings to mark the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Day.
L-R: Warran Fawcett (Grace Church Catterick), Laura Reuter (Prayer Coordinator), supporter Janice Grace, Dave Hossack (Scripture Reader). ©SASRA
FUNDRAISING
We ran a fundraising appeal to help us recruit more Scripture Readers. Alongside this, we had many generous donations and sponsored fundraisers. Those of a sporty disposition chose to walk 1,000 miles in six months, finish a triathlon, run the UK’s longest underground marathon, cycle 205 miles in 14 hours, or complete the PARAS’10 ultimate endurance race. But it wasn’t all gruelling physical accomplishments. Fundraisers showed that support can come through other efforts, such as doing a sponsored hair cut-off. One of our SASRA Advocates also shared some of her tips on fundraising from home. Inspired to do your own SASRA fundraiser? Set one up now.
GROWING
The Lord has answered our prayers for more Scripture Readers to join this mission field. Alan Jordan started part-time in the British Army Training Unit Kenya, while closer to home, Steven Dougherty reflected on the opportunities he has at RAF Northolt. Patrick Steen, who started in Autumn 2023, completed his studies and on-the-job training this year and shared his testimony of coming to faith whilst serving.
We are delighted to have Peter Woodward – who was saved through SASRA – and David Jamieson join us as Scripture Readers, bringing our total number of RAF Scripture Readers to three.
Scripture Readers were able to strike up many conversations with performers at this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo rehearsals week. L–R: ASR Patrick Steen, ASR Paul Curd, ASR Steven Dougherty, ASR Gavin Dickson, ASR David Jamieson, ASR Peter Woodward. ©SASRA
SPEAKING
ASR Josh Fortune speaking at Co-Mission Revive in the Summer. ©SASRA
While summer is the season for conferences, we started in February with the Lurgan Baptist Missionary Convention, followed by Keswick in Devon. The clocks sprang forward and we toured the Isle of Wight in April.
Once summer came, we covered the breadth and depth of the United Kingdom, from Argyll Convention to Aberystwyth Conference, Co-Mission in Canterbury, the East Midlands Churches Day and the Edinburgh Convention. We set up stall in Keswick in Wales and Bangor Worldwide.
There are many modes of ministry our Scripture Readers use to get alongside serving personnel, be it running events to help military dads spend time with their children, arranging a sit-down meal at a long table, setting up a pop-up café, or sharing about spiritual welfare at a health fair.
We highlighted the importance of mental resilience in the military, shared five tools for mental wellbeing and wrote about how our Armed Forces overwhelmingly employ from groups most susceptible to suicide.
Yet in the face of this this mental health crisis, we believe the gospel, through our Scripture Readers, can transform lives. Certainly, the transformation of lives through the gospel are always a joy to read, and we shared ‘Mike’s’ testimony as he lives counter-culturally for Christ.
ASR Scott Witherick speaking to guests at the Long Table. ©SASRA
REMEMBERING
The Reading Room of Miss Sandes Soldiers Home in Curragh Camp. On the blackboard is Acts, XV.II: ‘We believe that thro’ our Lord Jesus we shall be saved’.
This year marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day. We looked at the important role prayer had to play in the miracle of Dunkirk and the D-Day Landings.
To appreciate the long-standing work of Sandes and Miss Daniell’s Soldiers’ Homes, we remembered the journey in ‘Project Home’; how it was started over 150 years ago by Elise Sandes and Mary Fry, continued through the years with Mrs and Miss Daniell before being passed onto the Jackson Club and SASRA.
