Special Forces | Oliver Springs, TN | October 24-29, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

A few months ago I attended the IFFB Conference in Orlando, Florida. There I heard  Pastor Garvan Walls preach. I was struck with the blessing of God on his preaching. He connected with me that week and asked us to come to Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Oliver Springs, Tennessee where he is pastor. We were excited about this opportunity … Read More

Special Forces | Urbana, OH | October 17-22, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

A few years ago I met Pastor Aaron Samples at a camp in Indiana. I immediately felt a kindred spirit. This is the second time our team has had the privilege of being at Grace Baptist Church in Urbana, Ohio to conduct the War of Special Forces. This church has a very effective ministry to public school teens as well … Read More

Special Forces | Fairfax Station, VA | October 3-8, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Several years ago, my wife and I had the privilege of going to Central Baptist Church in Greeneville, Tennessee for revival meetings. There we met Pastor Todd Abbey. Pastor Abbey is now the pastor at Fairfax Baptist Temple in Virginia. It was neat to reconnect with him and his wife. The War of Special Forces team has never been to … Read More

Special Forces | Edinburg, VA | September 19-24, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Valley Baptist in Edinburg has been a special place since the Lord providentially brought us there in 2003. As a result of Hurricane Isobel in 2003, the team had to relocate and as a result of a cancellation near the coast, we conducted the War of Special Forces at the academy there. I remember that week well. It was a … Read More

Special Forces | Beaver, WV | September 12-17, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

By the very name Beaver, WV, many would think we were in the middle of nowhere, but actually we were quite close to Beckley, WV. Our team has been to Victory Baptist Academy many times and has always been encouraged by what the Lord does in hearts. The students at Victory are all in from the moment the week begins! … Read More

Special Forces | Martinsville, IN | September 5-10, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle is a thriving church south of Indianapolis. Pastor David Zempel has been there for several years and the church has grown under his leadership. Our team considered it a privilege to be there for a week of ministry in the Christian school. Although there was a spiritual battle in lives, the Lord gave us a marvelous week! … Read More

Special Forces | Matthews, NC | March 21-26, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Pastor Ron Allen of Bible Baptist Church and I graduated in the same class in 1982. It was great to be with him again. I am thankful for what the Lord is doing there! Our team has also been with his principal, Brad Parker, before when he was a principal up in Maryland. The Lord gave us a great week … Read More

Special Forces | Spartanburg, SC | March 14-19, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Back in early 2021, we had a late cancellation for the second week of March. I sent an email to Pastor James Wooten at Westgate Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC. Although our team had been at Westgate before, we had not yet been with Pastor Wooten. Pastor Wooten graciously asked the team to come at the “last minute”. In fact, … Read More

Special Forces | Greer, SC | March 7-12, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

March opened with our team in Greer, SC at Calvary Baptist Church. We have come to love and appreciate Pastor Nathan Thomas and his staff. The Lord gave us a wonderful week, and we had some record attendance. There were 135 different teens who came to the rally nights with a high night of 107. Brendan, the Seal team captain, … Read More

Special Forces | Deltona, FL | February 7-12, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Over the years we have had the privilege of coming to Faith Baptist Church and Deltona Christian School often with the War of Special Forces every two years. Each time is always a blessing. We have come to love the leadership and people. There are many good memories of working together, and this year was no exception. We had 120 … Read More