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USAFA Cadet Sponsors Ministry
For over 30 years, the US Air Force Academy has supported
a program that permits local area families to "sponsor" cadets during their four
years at the Academy.
Goals of the Academy's "Cadet Sponsor Program":
- Provide cadets with a host or sponsor family that will provide a positive role
model
- Give cadets a place to relax away from the cadet wing
The Pikes Peak church of Christ conducts a similar, complementary ministry for
Academy Cadets.
Goal of the Pikes Peak Cadet Sponsor Ministry:
- Encourage and support cadets who are members of the Lord's church to continue
worship and fellowship as they begin military service
A Pikes Peak Cadet Sponsor should first become an official sponsor for the
Academy Sponsor program.
- Call Cadet Services at (719) 333-2727 and request a Sponsor package; you
can read more in the
Cadet Sponsor's Handbook.
- Complete a short training program to become familiar with certain rules
pertaining to cadet life and the Sponsor program.
- Notify John Eriksen, the Pikes Peak church of Christ Cadet Sponsor Coordinator
that you have completed the training and are ready to become a cadet sponsor;
the Pikes Peak congregation can then assign a cadet to you and your family.
Your duties as an official Academy sponsor, and Pikes Peak sponsor, vary
depending upon the cadet's year at the Academy and the individual cadet.
- In the first two years at the Academy, cadets are not permitted to have a
vehicle; they will depend on you to provide transportation to and from worship
services, to your home, and to and from the Colorado Springs airport around
holidays.
-- Freshman ("4th Classmen" or "Doolies") are often restricted from
leaving Academy grounds except for purposes of worship
-- Sophomores ("3rd Classman") have more liberty and may call you
more frequently for rides and are permitted to engage in activities other than
those solely related to worship.
- In their third and fourth years, cadets are permitted to keep cars on campus
and will normally provide their own transportation to and from services and your
home.
- Be prepared for short-notice visits during the week or even the occasional
overnight stay since upper classmen are permitted more liberty and often wish to
escape the Academy at every opportunity.
In addition to formal sponsorship, you can also host a cadet at any time
for a lunch or dinner or other activity. Sponsor families would appreciate help
from time to time, to host a meal for example, and sponsor families sometimes
have to miss services due to travel or illness. In these cases, any member of
the Pikes Peak congregation is welcome to fill-in and assist with sponsor
duties.
If you are interested in sponsoring a cadet please contact John or Chun Hui
Eriksen. They can fill you in on your responsibilities and opportunities in
becoming a sponsor.
American Military Evangelizing Nations (AMEN)
AMEN: American Military Evangelizing Nations
Ministry is under the sponsorship of the elders of the White's Ferry Road Church
of Christ in West Monroe, LA.
The mission is to serve Christians in the United States Military encouraging
them to remain faithful, evangelize their friends and plant churches where they
are.
Pike Peak church of Christ's AMEN Key Man is Tim Hawkins, USAF (Retired).
When notified of a service member in the Colorado Springs area, Tim initiates
contact to encourage them to be a part of our church family.
Family Support:
Our congregation is blessed with many
military members--some single, some with their families, all important.
They are a vital part of our Christian family, adding their strength, enthusiasm
and determination to our own. They often carry the special burdens of military
service--frequent deployments, family stresses and even combat injuries. We are
sensitive to their unique struggles and provide the support and encouragement to
help them through the tough times.
Packages for deployed
servicemen: Non-perishable food items
are shipped twice annually to servicemen and women from our congregation as well
as those related to our members such as children, grandchildren, nieces and
nephews.
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