Weekly Reading: Joel 1:1-20

Key Verse: Joel 1:13-15

Theme: Return To The Lord – When locusts invade our life, we need to return to the Lord with humility.

Return #4

Roger Helle was born October 2, 1947, in Toledo, Ohio. Growing up in a broken home, with all the rejection and insecurities, he joined the Marine Corps at age 17. Roger served three (3) tours of duty in Vietnam, was wounded three times and decorated a number of times for bravery, yet nothing brought satisfaction.

On his third tour of duty in Vietnam in 1970, Roger was critically wounded. Several days later, in intensive care, with multiple wounds and burns, Roger heard the doctor tell his twin brother that he was going to die. Not yet 23 years old, Roger prayed and said, “God, if there really is a God, if You let me live, I’ll do anything You want!” God answered that prayer. Over 9 months later, following 27 operations and 4 plastic surgery operations on his face, Roger left the hospital and his promise behind.

The nightmares of Vietnam and “survivor’s guilt” for still being alive, tormented Roger every night for years. In 1974, Roger and Shirley surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Their marriage was healed and their lives began to go in a new direction. Shortly after this, they began to work with kids in their church in Omaha. Soon, a street ministry was established to try to reach kids on the streets. In November 1978, Roger resigned his position as the District Manager of Pinkerton Detective Agency, to start Teen Challenge of the Midlands in both Nebraska and Iowa.

For 25 years now, Roger and Shirley have been ministering to hurting people, from the streets of the Midwest, back to Vietnam, and now to the Tennessee/Georgia area. Roger has ministered across the country, in Europe and in Southeast Asia. From Vietnam veterans, to hurting kids off the street; from the Pentagon, to the National War College, in schools, churches, and civic groups, his message is one of hope and healing for life’s wounded, both physically and spiritually.

Something To Ponder

• What is the day of the Lord in v.15
• Have you ever made a promise to God when you were in trouble?
• How have you used your life experiences to serve God?