Pentecostal Turning Wounded Soldiers into Evangelists
Pentecostal evangelist and Vietnam veteran Dave Roever will open a new ministry for wounded soldiers on the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The Assemblies of God announced that on Sept. 11, 2007, a multi-million dollar ranch – Camp David Lodge and Resource Center at Eagles Summit Ranch in Westcliffe, Colo. – will be dedicated to the "worst wounded warriors" from the U.S. military, according to the Assemblies of God News Service.
The new ministry will provide emotional and spiritual healing as well as training toward becoming a preacher of the gospel.
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"I just have a great sense that these guys are going to be great evangelists," said Roever. "They're going to be world changers. Of course it's my privilege to pour into their lives."
Roever had served in the Navy at the height of the Vietnam War. He was severely burned and scarred for life by a phosphorous grenade that exploded in his hand during his tour of duty in Vietnam. He underwent numerous major surgeries and now travels the nation speaking at churches, schools, conventions and military installations as an evangelist. He is also called upon regularly to speak to troops deployed in Iraq and other locations around the globe.
The Department of the Navy awarded Roever a Purple Heart 34 years after his injuries and in 2005, he received an honorary doctor degree.
He now wants to see thousands of others experience the success he has had as an evangelist. Roever is aiming for 3,000 wounded warriors preaching the gospel or one evangelist for every victim of the Sept. 11 attacks. The official death toll from the terrorist attacks was over 2,700.
Evangel University, the Assemblies of God Credit Union, and KSGF – a Springfield, Miss.-based radio station – are partnering to help raise funds for the Eagles Summit Ranch. They will host the Helping Heroes Football Classic on Sept. 29 when Evangel goes up against MidAmerican Nazarene. Active and retired military personnel will be admitted to the game free of charge.
