| In
1952, the United States Army realized the need for an elite force
to help oppressed nations help themselves. This unit became informally
known as the Green Berets. The average American has at least
heard of the legendary Green Berets; however, few understand how
the elite soldiers are forged. Fewer still recognize the similarity
between the men of Special Forces, or SF, and Christ’s anointed
ministers. Both Special Forces training and ministry training are
broken down into three phases: Selection, Training and Simulation.
To
earn the coveted Green Beret, an above average soldier must complete
grueling training. The 1st phase of this training is known as the
Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course. In this course,
soldiers will be “tried by fire” as they are expected to master
physically demanding challenges. The Assessment and Selection course
is intended to evaluate a soldier’s complete makeup. Likewise,
Christians must go through rigorous hardships in life. God initiates
these hardships for the sake of developing character. One
of the best examples of this principle is the comparison of Saul
and David. Both were anointed kings of Israel; however, the
difference between them was character. Israel demanded a king, so
Saul was immediately anointed king with no testing or proving of
character. David, on the other hand, was anointed as Saul’s successor,
but spent years hiding from Saul as an outlaw. Even when he
was presented with an opportunity to kill Saul, he never usurped
his authority. When he was made king, David became the greatest
king in Jewish history. The difference was not in will or ability,
it was character. In the selection of both Special Forces soldiers
and soldiers in Christ, character is vital.
The
2nd phase of Special Forces training is the learning of basic skills.
This phase has two sub-phases: general training and specialized
training. General training encompasses many different skills
- from basic weapons and patrolling, to learning different languages.
These skills are critical to the success of a SF team. In Specialized
training, soldiers will learn 1 of 6 Military Occupation Specialties,
or MOS. The soldier’s interests and abilities determine the MOS
he learns. Christians must complete the second phase of their training
by learning such skills as communications with God and with others,
and spiritual warfare. In addition to this, Christians must
learn the duties and responsibilities of their individual ministries.
Most people believe that surrendering to God means He will force
them to be something they are not. God created every person
with unique talents and interests; He has fitted every person for
specific tasks. When a person
surrenders to God’s perfect will, He will fulfill
the desires of his heart.
The
3rd and final training phase is the culmination of all phases.
In an unconventional warfare exercise, 12 specialists come together
and are expected to operate as a fully functional team. The
operations are as real as possible, with local civilians playing
the role of guerilla fighters, whom the SF soldiers are required
to train and lead in combat. In ministry training, God will place
Believers under the authority of a developed ministry to exercise
their skills in a controlled environment. In this phase, both
SF operatives and ministry candidates must put head-knowledge into
practice. Only on completion of this phase will believers enter
into their God-ordained ministry.
Even
though the men of SF can be called upon to execute almost any type
of mission in the world today, their primary purpose is to act as
Force Multipliers. As such, the SF teams infiltrate hostile nations
and organize, train, arm, and lead indigenous forces in the fight
for freedom. This is the same mission Christ gave to the Church
before he ascended into Heaven. “Go therefore, and teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost...” Matt. 28:19). Sometimes Christians
get so involved in battling Satan, that they forget their true mission
- to teach others of the salvation of Christ. The men and women
who are called into this ministry can be called upon by God to accomplish
any task. They are elite, a breed apart. They are God’s Special
Forces.
Written
by Tyger Lyons |
