SGT Jason R. Harkins

I had the distinct honor to participate in the funeral yesterday celebrating the life of SGT Jason R. Harkins who was killed by an improvised explosive device in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.  

I first met Jason while serving as Pastor of Student Ministries at Concord Baptist Church in Clermont, Georgia.  Jason was a middle school student when I first met him.  The once quiet, unsure of himself, but polite middle school student grew into a hero making the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life protecting his fellow soldiers and fighting for his country.  My sweetest memory is of the Wednesday night that Jason trusted Christ for forgiveness of his sin and he turned to follow Christ. 

  John 15:13 (NIV)
¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Just three weeks before his transition into eternity Jason had risked his life to save a fellow soldier even to the point of taking a bullet in his soldier helment.  As a result of his valor he will be awarded a bronze star with a “V” for valor. 

Check out the announcement from Stryker Brigade News regarding his death.  Also see his obituary notice from the Gainesville Times. 

His testimony is SHINING the light of CHRIST as people share of his commitment to his Lord Jesus, his wife Emily, his family and to his fellow soldiers.  I have heard of many comments of his witness and testimony to others while in Iraq.

The way Jason lived inspires me to fully devote myself to follow Christ more deeply and to serve others more lovingly. 

Words cannot express how I was touched by the support of Concord Baptist Church and the North Hall, White County, and Cleveland community.  The whole Northeast Georgia Community came out to support the family of Jason Harkins.  I was honored to serve alongside Pastors Alan Morris and James Dollar in the funeral.   It was an absolute honor as well, to serve alongside Pastor Darwood Santmier of James Memorial Baptist Church in Gasden, Alabama.  Pastor Darwood is Emily Harkins’ pastor from her hometown.  Emily is the beautiful wife of Jason.  Please pray for Emily and Jason’s family.  I love Alan and Nancy Fritchey.  I had the privilege of knowing them while I was at Concord Baptist Church.  They are authentic in their love of people and pursuit of God. 

May we all be challenged in the way Sgt. Jason R. Harkins lived and in the way Sgt. Jason R. Harkins gave his life!

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