Winning Wars
01 Winning Wars
2026
This coming April, I will turn 69. My mother is still alive and turns 90 in February. Mom is still very active. She looks like she is in her 60s, still works part-time, goes to church, and attends several Bible studies every week. She loves to travel and is very active in life with friends and family. Like my mother, I have always been high-energy and still have a lot of endurance. Truthfully, I do not feel much different than when I was in my 40s, but I am training the next generation of men to take over. I have no plans to retire, but I want the men I have chosen to be running most of the operations in the next three years. I have watched many ministries where the founder held on too long, and the ministries just fell apart. Once these men start running the operations, I will watch and work with them until I can tell that they can handle the ministry.
Far Reaching Ministries (FRM) has grown so large that we could divide the ministry into four or five ministries, and they would all still be large. Right now, FRM is in 43 countries. Between chaplains, pastors, and missionaries, we have over 700 individuals in the field whom we support. We have five main areas that will need strong leadership: Africa has the chaplain base, the Bible school, and Christ Crucible school for 700 children in Uganda. In Ukraine and Moldova, we are training chaplains, building orphanages, and a home for the elderly. Also, in Russia and Georgia, we are training Calvary Chapel pastors and building churches. Ghost Operations comprises pastors and missionaries in nine of the ten most dangerous countries in the world. From Mexico down to South America, we are supporting pastors and building churches. Finally, Dreadnought is designated to rescuing believers and the persecuted in countries like Afghanistan and Syria.
We have discovered a lot of new information in Syria over the last few weeks. For one, Hala does have extended family in distant parts of Syria. What we are learning is that many people who provide information are not well-informed because everything is highly volatile, which creates a breakdown in communication. We have also been told about 150+ children who have lost their families and relatives and have no one on the ground to care for them. The need on the ground is still very real and urgent.
FRM has offered to build an orphanage in Israel and relocate the Syrian children so they can be cared for. It will be a logistical nightmare, but we have experience in these situations and are willing to do the work to care for these kids.
During the Holocaust in Nazi Germany, history tells us that very few did anything to help the Jewish community. Yes, there were brave rescuers. But by comparison, only a small number of people risked everything to hide families, move children, forge papers, and pull people out of the fire. They were the exception, not the rule. Most looked away and remained silent.
STRENGTH IS ONLY GREAT WHEN IT IS ANCHORED TO SCRIPTURE...
FRM has offered to build an orphanage in Israel and relocate the Syrian children so they can be cared for.
Right now, Syria’s leader is trying to convince the international community, especially the United States, that they have turned a corner and want to be seen as a serious, recognized government in the Middle East, but it is entirely for show. The Druze have been recently bombed again with the loss of many civilian lives, and, to my knowledge, it did not even make the news.
When President Trump ordered missile strikes on ISIS in Nigeria on Christmas Day, he was the first president in 30 years to do anything to stop the massacre of Christian believers.
This March marks the 30th year that I have been serving in South Sudan, and I can tell you that believers connected to our work in Nigeria are rejoicing that they finally have a reason to feel hope again. We have 100 missionaries in Nigeria, all former Muslims who have come to Christ.
I have always felt like everyone should have the right to vote, but I have also thought that they should be required to take a small test to see if they even know what they are really voting for. Several years ago, Ami Horowitz interviewed about 30 young people who were Bernie Sanders’ supporters. She told them about President Trump’s accomplishments—but said they were Bernie Sanders’. These college-aged kids raved about Bernie’s so-called many achievements. Then they were told the truth: The accomplishments were actually Trump’s, making them look incredibly ignorant. They did not even have a basic understanding of what Sanders believes or really stands for.
In another interview, she told young people that certain quotes were things President Trump had said, and they mocked them and said they thought President Trump was stupid. Then once again, they were told the quotes were not Trump’s—but Kamala Harris’.
Today, people are often elected because they are attractive or able to deliver sharp, cutting soundbites, when we should be looking at what the individual has actually accomplished.
We need leaders who are not hesitant, timid, or weak when atrocities are being committed against the innocent and defenseless. We understand that peace requires strength, and weakness empowers predators.
Here is my point: Strength is only great when it is anchored to Scripture and moral clarity. When a government is asking the world to recognize it, like the current Syrian government, the real test is simple: Do they protect the innocent, or are they wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing with a suit and tie?
This is where this gets personal for FRM. We will not watch from the sidelines. My team is in the field with the vulnerable—the ones nobody is guarding, protecting, or caring for. The ones who cannot fight back.
Recently, my neighbor referred to me as a pastor. I shared with him that while I function in the role of a pastor, I am really a soldier, and Christ is my Commander. I had lied about my age when I was in the tenth grade and joined the Marines. While I was well-trained, I was still a kid.
When we, as believers, work together, we are a powerful weapon against deep darkness. When believers choose to be weak and disobedient, lives are lost. The spiritual and physical cost of “not our problem” always shows up later. And it is always paid for in human lives.
In Indonesia, it has been raining for weeks with no end in sight. Right now, people are desperate for food and aid. Many have been living on the roofs of buildings or, if available, on the second floor. Luke went there to give $5,000 to a friend who had lost everything.
We are taking donations to help these people who are in desperate need. Every penny you send will be given to those in need, and FRM will not keep any of the funds, even those associated with administration costs.
Lastly, I want to share with you that we recently purchased a new Calvary Chapel in Russia. And, to date, we have purchased, built, or partially built eight Calvary Chapels in Russia. We have two more in the works right now.
Wes Bentley
Far Reaching Ministries
Old, Alone, Scared and Unloved
As we have previously shared, Pastor Fedor has a church in Odessa, Ukraine, with 200 elderly grandmothers and grandfathers who have been abandoned and often robbed of their homes. These people are afraid and have no way of caring for themselves. The heart that I believe the Lord has for these people is that in old age, they will not have to live in fear, worry about where their next meal will come from, or if they will have to live in the streets. Far Reaching Ministries wants them to know that if they become ill, believers will take them to the doctor and make sure they get proper medical treatment. Most importantly, they will not die alone and scared but will be loved and cared for by the body of Christ.
You can sponsor a grandmother or grandfather for $25, $50, $75, or $100 per month. Though automatic debit is the preferred method, all donations are needed.
If you would count it a privilege to be part of this huge blessing, please indicate “Pastor Fedor’s Elderly” on the enclosed gift card along with your donation.
Food & Aid for Indonesia
Indonesia has had torrential rains for weeks, triggering floods that inundated cities and major roads, with no end in sight. People are desperate for food and aid. Many have been living on roofs of buildings or, if available, on the second floor.
Far Reaching Ministries (FRM) has committed to helping the people of Indonesia with food and aid in their time of need. We are accepting donations for this purpose, and every penny received will be given to these desperate people. FRM will not keep any of the funds, even for administrative costs.
If you would like to help with this urgent need, please mark “Indonesia” on the enclosed gift card along with your donation.