Marines, Sailors drawn to night Bible studies

OJOJIHARA MANEUVER AREA, SENDAI, Japan -- “These meetings have been spreading through the company like a wildfire, and I’m very thankful for that.”

These are the words of Cpl. Michael Anderson, team leader, 2nd Platoon, F Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

He spoke those words while his head was bowed, eyes were closed, and hands were interlocked with two other Marines during a prayer offering at a recent Bible study meeting.

When Marines and Sailors of F Co., 2/6, stepped foot on the training grounds for Exercise Forest Light, a small group of Christian Marines began what they planned to be nightly classes discussing the Bible and how that information could pertain to their current situation. But as the exercise progressed, the number of attendees did as well.

According to Anderson, a Baltimore native, the Bible studies started out with an attendance of 20 and climbed to more than 50 a night in a matter of just one week.

“I think the reason so many Marines have started coming is because it helps them to get closer to God,” Anderson said.

“It helps them to deal with problems they have on a daily basis because if they know God is taking care of them, they get through them.”

According to Cpl. Shaun Oates, F Co., 1st Plt. rifleman, the Marines and Sailors also come there to learn about, or become better acquainted with God.

“They want to learn more about the Word of God and see what the Lord has to offer them,” said the Charlotte, N.C. native.

“It can build a lot of people’s faith during an exercise and also help them to become better Marines.”

Lance Cpl. Danny Brannon, team leader, machine guns, F Co., Weapons Plt. team leader, said he came out of curiosity.“Someone came up to me and told me about it and I figured I’d see what it was all about,” said the Fentress County, Tenn. native. “This was my first time going to something like this and I’m glad I did because I learned what the Word of God is about.”

According to Sgt. Aaron Zielinske, F Co., 3rd Plt. squad leader, one of the goals of the Bible studies is to help those who are unfamiliar with the Bible and Jesus Christ to become more aware.

The Bible studies also offer fellowship and association among Christians.

“There are a lot of Christians in this company and it is important to have fellowship all the time,” Zielinske said.

“Hanging out with other Christians helps them get a closer relationship with God and offers better associates.”

He added one of the most important reasons to have Bible studies in the field is patience.

“Studying helps us to become more patient and cope with our problems,” he said. “If we ask God, have faith and act according to his will, it will happen.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Photo Details:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OJOJIBARA MANEUVER AREA, Sendai, Japan - Pfc. Vince Borca, forward observer, Weapons Platoon, F Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division (right), and Pfc. Kevin Moore, rifleman, F Co., 2/6, look and listen in attentiveness as another Marine explains the message he got from one of the scriptures read. Borca and Moore were two of 48 Marines and Sailors who were in attendance for that particular bible study.

Photo by: Lance Cpl. James J. Vooris
Official Photo Archive : US Marine Corps.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------