Speaker: John Bishop

Topic: “Wounded Warriors: Calling the Wounded to Battle”

About the Topic: Jesus and every writer of New Testament Scripture speak of the reality of spiritual warfare. Jesus’s understanding of this reality is what motivated Him to teach His followers to pray “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one”(Matt 6:13). He repeated His concern when He prayed in John 17 “I do not pray that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one”(vs 15). Since this issue of spiritual warfare is central to the heart of Jesus should it not also be on our hearts?

The idea behind the theme is that in Jesus everything is a matter of opposites: we live by dying, get by giving, lead by serving, etc.. My contention is that our healing from the wounds of the Fall, the sins of others, or our own sin and folly comes by getting into the battle not out of it. The ultimate goal is to call people to leave the sidelines and engage in the front lines. We are born and born again into a world at war and now, more than ever, we need to recognize that as His followers we are also His allies in efforts “to destroy the works of the devil”(I John 3:8).

About the Speaker: My journey with Jesus began during Navy boot camp in San Diego, CA. The nearly 12 years that followed were intense years spent learning about war (at the US Naval Academy), training for war (in the Marine Corps), then going to war (Vietnam). That education and those experiences are what have shaped my view of spiritual warfare and the reality that we are born and born again into a world at war.

My active-duty time includes an assignment at Headquarters Marine Corps followed by a second deployment to the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa. My last assignment was as a Staff Assistant to the Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy. After leaving active duty I joined the fellowship of folks who support the US Congress in an event called the National Prayer Breakfast. After a little over 4 years in this ministry I entered the business world, where I continue to work as a specialist in real estate exchanges. In addition to full time engagement in the business world, I’m also very involved with the CS Lewis Institute, The Trinity Forum and the OCF. The Naval Academy Chapel is my church home.

About Winter Retreat at WSS: The Christmas season is special anywhere, but we take great joy in hosting guests during Christmas and New Year’s at White Sulphur Springs. The stunning mountains covered with snow, the tables laden with warm food, the hotels decorated in the spirit of the holiday season, and the meaningful connections made between families and friends make Winter Retreats unlike any other season throughout the year. Many guests who live the ever-transient military lifestyle join us year after year, and we’re honored to be a place families have made part of their holiday tradition. Click here to learn more about what to expect at Winter Retreat.