Today in the United States we celebrate Veterans Day, honoring all who have served in our nation’s armed forces. Thank you to our veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. Within the Global Methodist Church, this service extends beyond the borders of one’s country and into the world. Through endorsing ministries, clergy are authorized to represent Jesus Christ and the Global Methodist Church in the military and other settings. In this special Global Messenger testimony, Army Chaplain Bradley Bruce shares about how the call to serve Christ aligns with the call to serve one’s country and beyond. As we remember the veterans in the United States, we also acknowledge those serving and spreading the gospel in other countries through chaplaincy ministry. The Gospel knows no borders, and no life is beyond the reach of God’s grace. The World is My Parish: A Military Chaplain's Perspective by Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Bradley V. Bruce (Retired) Military Chaplaincy is a unique subset of endorsed ministry in a setting where the world is truly your parish. Over the course of 24 years in the United States Army with travel to over 20 countries and many parts of the continental United States, it has become evident that endorsed ministry to the military is one of the most blessed and diverse settings to serve in. Endorsed ministry is simply ministry beyond the local church. It is an important part of who we are as Methodists and for sharing the gospel to the very corners of the earth. The church is always our home and place from where all are sent to carry the gospel—some further than others, like missionaries to other countries. A life as an endorsed clergy member is an adventure with Jesus for those God has called and equipped. Other than perhaps serving as a university chaplain, it’s hard to find more opportunities to engage young men and women who are seeking to understand life and the world around them as you have in the military. The military is a mission field with people from all walks of life, socio-economic statuses and cultures. From waking in the morning and joining your team on the field for physical training, to being present in workspaces, joining in training, participating in ceremonies and following your people into battle, the chaplain represents the Lord in all places. Like the prophet Jeremiah, an Army chaplain walks where soldiers walk. There are many opportunities to share the love of Christ with those you serve, some more overt than others, like in chapel, field services or impromptu Bible studies. From the earth-shattering and horrifying moments to the tender times of brokenness, it is a sacred journey to bring the light of Christ into a secular setting that is often portrayed as evil, and yet there is nowhere we will not go to share the gospel. As I was serving in my first appointment, I thought God was certainly calling me to the global mission field since I had served in the Army previously in the Ranger Regiment and trained for the most austere conditions. I just knew God was going to use me in a less permissive missional area. This was of course before a group of military chaplains surrounded me at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Durham, NC and told me that they believed God may be calling me to the military again. They said they had observed my love and compassion in service to veterans and were certain through the Holy Spirit that this was my calling. Naturally, I was hesitant and took the time to dip my toe in the water as a pastor volunteering first to cover a weekend for a reserve unit meeting for training, called drilling. The next week was the beginning of clarity in my call to endorsed ministry. This was where God was truly calling me. It of course would mean going back to military training again as well as preparing for military ministry in the Army. Things seemed to happen fast with packing lists, physical training prep, the Chaplain Officer Basic Leadership Course, and months of learning to be a soldier again. After onboarding, I was asked to deploy with a Special Missions Unit (not the missions you’re thinking). In Jalalabad, Afghanistan, I served my unit, prepared them spiritually every day for the grueling throes of war. Combat settings have a way of accelerating bonds due to the threat of loss of life. It was an honor and privilege to provide worship in any way I could for my unit to include worship, Bible study, and communion each week. What was equally important was just being there for soldiers to pray and ask questions. I was their pastor in a place where humanity was waning. For me this routine would happen off and on for nearly 10 years. In all the time spent in military ministry, the most precious times were those spent on my knees with others before the God of the universe in the war zone. There is something sacred about a space where men and women are willing to die for those they do not even know. To serve them and be their pastor was an honor like no other. As you might imagine, there was no shortage of daily miracles and many who accepted Jesus as Savior. Today, I am happy to support our endorsed ministers and those not requiring endorsement as they move like John Wesley across this planet to bring the gospel to the very corners of the earth in every secular setting imaginable. It has been an honor to serve alongside a diverse mix of anointed leaders from every sector of endorsed ministry on our GMC Endorsing Board. The work we do to encourage and equip our colleagues continues to echo the words of Wesley, “I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty, to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that his blessing attends it.”

On November 1, 2026 churches across the Global Methodist connection will observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) to unite in prayer for our brothers and sisters who suffer for their faith. According to the Open Doors 2026 World Watch List, an estimated 388 million Christians worldwide face high levels of persecution and discrimination because of their faith. “The Church is so much bigger than our own congregation or even our own country,” said the Rev. Dr. Ashley Goad, International Ministries Chair for the Trinity Annual Conference and Pastor of Missions at the Woodlands Methodist Church. “We belong to one Body of Christ. When one part of the Body suffers, we all suffer.” Established in 1996 by the World Evangelical Alliance, formerly known as the World Evangelical Fellowship, IDOP is observed on the first Sunday of November. The day of prayer coincides with the church’s observance of All Saints’ Day as we remember saints and martyrs on that Sunday. An alternate day of observance is November 8, 2026 and believers are encouraged to continue praying throughout the month of November. Within the Global Methodist Church, many Christians, particularly in African and Asian countries, experience intimidation, injustice, oppression and violence because of their faith. “In nations where Christianity is monitored or restricted by the government, simply gathering for study and prayer could result in ruinous social, financial, and physical consequences,” said Heather Carter-Young, the secretary for the Kingdom Advancement Commission. Carter-Young also serves in the areas of missions mobilization and unreached people groups for the denomination. “GMC believers and churches have experienced legal challenges, police interference, threats of harm, disruption of worship services, false allegations of forced conversion, social pressures and exclusion, physical violence, attacks by armed militants, arrest and imprisonment,” she shared. The GMC supports persecuted churches through prayer, pastoral encouragement and counsel, solidarity with affected congregations, and humanitarian and financial assistance. Annual conferences and regional disaster response teams provide relief to persecuted and crisis-affected communities while also helping their local churches Annual conferences also help their own local churches understand and pray for the challenges conferences in persecuted areas face. “We hear the word ‘persecution,’ and it feels like something from the early church. But it is happening right now. To people we know. To people we pray with. To people who are part of our Methodist family,” Goad said. Through her work with the Trinity Annual Conference, Goad has connected with partner conferences across the world to meet monthly and pray together. The partnerships serve as an example of how annual conferences come together to support one another in their triumphs and times of need. “We hear what's happening in their churches, celebrate what God is doing, and lift up the challenges they're facing. This isn't just something we do once a year. We're praying together throughout the year,” she said. “We've built real relationships with these leaders. We know their names, their families, and their stories. When one of them shares that they're facing persecution or that their church is struggling, it becomes very personal.” IDOP is an opportunity for churches and believers to stand in solidarity with the persecuted church as we pray alongside them. By intentionally setting aside a day to remember and pray, churches and believers are awakened to the very real and raw experiences of the persecuted church. Local churches are encouraged to participate in IDOP by setting aside time during worship on November 1 to pray for and bring awareness to the persecuted church. “It doesn't have to be complicated,” Goad shared. “A pastoral prayer, a Scripture reading, a moment of silence, or sharing a story from one of our global conferences.” In addition, churches can offer opportunities to learn more about the persecuted church through Sunday school and small group studies, children and youth activities, sermons, prayer guides, special events and social media campaigns. Through these studies and discussions, the global church can learn from the faith and leadership of persecuted Christians. As a global church, we aim to embody the words of Hebrews 13:3, “Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.” View the prayer points below for specific ways to pray for the persecuted church and use the resources listed to share about the persecution around the world with your church and community. Prayer points for the persecuted church: Pray for God's protection, wisdom and comfort for pastors, families and worshippers, for the grace to forgive, and for the strength to remain steadfast, courageous and discerning Pray that the Lord brings comfort to those overwhelmed with grief and rescue those who are in harm’s way Pray that God brings healing, restoration, and good amid suffering and injustice Pray that people come to faith in Jesus Christ through the faithful witness of believers, even amid persecution Pray that the Church strengthens its resolve in the face of pressure Pray that prison doors are opened for those who are unjustly behind bars Pray for the families of pastors who have been imprisoned or killed Prayer points for the Global Methodist Church family: Pray that God will touch the hearts of those who persecute Christians, leading them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ Pray for lasting peace and restoration in persecuted GMC communities and reconciliation between communities of different religions and different Christian backgrounds Pray for just and accountable governance, religious freedom, and equal protection for all people Pray for those who are vulnerable because of poverty, social discrimination, tribal identity or limited access to legal and social support Pray that the GMC will remain faithful to its calling to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe even in challenging circumstances Pray for house churches and believers gathering quietly, that God would protect them and give them courage Pray for Christian schools, seminaries, and ministry organizations facing government investigations and increasing scrutiny Pray for our brothers and sisters in places where violence and religious hostility threaten Christian communities Pray for wisdom for Christian leaders who have to make incredibly difficult decisions about how to continue ministering while protecting their people IDOP Resources: Open Doors USA International Christian Concern Voice of the Martyrs World Evangelical Alliance Multilingual resources Map of the top 50 nations where Christians face persecution How to pray for our persecuted family As we gather to pray, we invite you to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ facing persecution not just on November 1, but continuously throughout the year. Share the resources and prayer points with your local church, annual conference or small group to support and remain connected to the persecuted church.