An unknown host of individuals have contributed to the vision, birth and establishment of the Military Missions Network. The basic idea behind the network has been in the hearts and minds of countless numbers of Christians associated with the military, as well as, many who minister to those in the military. Let me summarize the story…

The story of the Military Missions Network (MMN) is about thousands of Christians scattered across our globe who have a heart for those within the military and are thus reaching out and ministering to the men and women in the armed services of our many nations. These individuals are connected through three primary streams of Christian ministry, which flow through the militaries of our world. These streams of ministry are: the chaplains' corps; the para-church ministries; and the local church, all three being collocated in military communities.

This is the story of an informal network that has long existed but which now, at least through the MMN, is being formalized for greater effectiveness on the part of many who are seeking to minister to those within the military. The MMN has emerged to facilitate connections between Christians within the domain of the military culture and relationships, partnerships and networks between those involved in the domain of military ministry.

How did the MMN actually come into being? The creation of this particular network was first formally discussed in April of 2002 at a leadership conference in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania sponsored by the Military Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. While attending that conference I was given the opportunity to share my dream that churches collocated in military communities be more intentional and strategic in ministering to those within the military, and to do so as a way of impacting the whole world. Also, something that I had long desired to see, especially among the like-minded, missional churches collocated in military communities, was for more communication and cooperation regarding ministry to those within the military who moved from city to city where these churches are located.

I also felt that there was a great need for more of a partnership mentality and philosophy between like-minded local churches, chaplains and para-church leaders. Hence, the need for some type of network to facilitate relationships, partnerships and networks between Christians involved in military ministry. Too, through the years I had talked with a lot of Christians serving within the military who had experienced frustrations in finding churches which would whole-heartedly embrace military families.

Having completed twenty years as a senior pastor I am now serving as a catalytic military missionary as President of the Military Missions Network. As a missionary in residence, I also currently serve as Minister of Military Missions at First Baptist Church of Norfolk Virginia. Both of the churches in which I have served as senior pastor had large contingents of military. During my first pastorate, I served a short time as a chaplain in the Army National Guard. Also, during my college years, the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ had a great impact on me.  My past experience has prepared me to have some understanding of all three of the main ministry streams of military ministry – the local church, the para-church ministries, and the chaplains' corps.

In that first meeting of April 2002, the idea of some type of ministry network was discussed by a number of interested individuals. After that initial meeting, a small number of individuals, mostly connected with the Military Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ and Gateway Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama, met to dream, plan and organize what came to be the Military Missions Network. From the beginning, it was the desire of each individual involved in the development of the MMN that it be something beyond one or two of the para-church ministries or a few groupings of local churches. The MMN is built upon the premise that all major streams of military ministry are good and beneficial and that a greater sense of partnership between these various evangelical entities will bring about a greater effectiveness in accomplishing the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

The following individuals served on the first Board of Directors and have been instrumental in the birth, development and implementation of the MMN: Bo Bohanan, Alan Cross, Kris Bauman, Jay and Laurie Lorenzen and Chuck Macri. In addition, the following individuals have made significant contributions: Ronna Bauman, Tom and Beth Blase, Charley and Martie Elgin and Nancy Jinright. Many individuals have sacrificed or have given feedback along the way. These include spouses of the above, pastors, chaplains and others presently serving in the military. Gateway Baptist Church of Montgomery, AL, the Military Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ and First Baptist Church of Norfolk, VA have all made significant contributions in the early days. Thanks to all who have helped to make this dream become a reality! 

The MMN is emerging as a network of evangelical Churches, Chaplains, and Para-church Ministries fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ by reaching, equipping and ministering to military members and families worldwide. The vision is to see as a reality an expanding global network of kingdom-minded movements of evangelism and discipleship reaching the world through the military of the world.

The MMN was officially incorporated in the State of Alabama on March 12, 2004 as the “Military Missions Network”.