Overwhelmed With Gratitude for Your Help

Kevin begins, “Any time you're in a warzone, there's a possibility that anything could happen. So, whatever feelings or whatever fears I might have had, I had to suppress that and make sure that I be strong for my soldiers. If I had to die so they can come back to their families, then I was willing to make that sacrifice.”

For Army Sergeant 1st class Kevin, placing the warriors who served under him first was always his priority. He deployed multiple times to war zones like Bosnia, Albania, and Iraq— each time, leaving behind his wife Richa and their children.

Richa says, “Is that going to be the last time I talk to him. You think about your children. You think about things that you don't want to think about. Everything has to be in order when they leave, just in case if they don't come back.”

Richa relied on her faith to sustain her through the multiple separations that ranged between six months to a year. 

“Prayer, it helped me stay grounded," says Richa. “It helped me not to worry. It helped me to have peace.”

After 29 years, it was time for Kevin to retire. The couple felt God was calling them to start, and pastor, their own church. But they had to get through some financial hurdles first. After leaving the army, paying rent was a challenge since they no longer had free military housing. Then, both of their vehicle needed major repairs, totaling several thousand dollars.

Kevin explains, “Where's the money gonna come from? What if we don't have enough? You know, all those different things.”

Despite the challenges, Kevin felt God would provide.

Kevin says, "My faith in God in His Word, has helped me to stay calm and to keep my sanity. So, for me, it's everything."

Richa says, “I believe I’m able to sit here and smile and not worry because I believe that God is gonna' get us through this!”

The couple confided in their Pastor, Tommy Leonard, with New Season Church in Anchorage, AK. He immediately contacted CBN’s Helping The Home Front to ask if we could assist. 

Pastor Tommy explains, “When they first presented the situation to me, it was a bit overwhelming. I knew this was something that as a church, we couldn't just write a check for. But to be able to have a resource like Helping The Home Front it's a dream come true!

Pastor Tommy sat down with the couple to share some big news.

New Season Christian Center, in partnership with CBN, want to help with some of the pressures you are feeling right now in your transition. So, we are going to take care of the first two months of your rent.

Kevin says, “Wow."

Pastor Tommy continues, “We don’t want you to get to a point of getting things done, we want you to get ahead. And then, since you have an issue with your vehicles. We're going to take your vehicles to Alaska sales and service, and we're gonna take those and get them repaired for you today.”

Richa says, “This is overwhelming. Like I said, thank you. Thank you.”

Pastor Tommy continues, “The bible says God is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him. And this is part of His reward package for you.”

Their vehicles were fixed right away. CBN paid their rent for two months. And Kevin and Richa’s dream came true. They now pastor their own church in Anchorage.

Kevin concludes, “I’m, I overwhelmed with gratitude thanking God for New Season Christian Center and CBN.”

Richa adds, “It changes a lot right now, it does. Thank you, CBN. It's worth trusting and believing God. I'm so thankful to God for this blessing today.”