More than 1.4 million Americans serve in our armed forces, including 233,095 officers.

Long before Bob Dees became a two-star general in the Army, he was a new cadet at the U.S. Military Academy.

The student at West Point was a Christian, but he wasn't living his life fully for Jesus. Then, in 1968, Bob and his girlfriend, Kathleen, met Campus Crusade for Christ staff couple Andy and Gail Seidel, and things changed.

The Seidels taught him how to walk with God, and over four years, they invited Bob and Kathleen over for "probably several hundred meals," Bob says. Through Campus Crusade, he learned how to take advantage of opportunities to tell others about Jesus.

At graduation, Bob was commissioned as a second lieutenant. A year later he married Kathleen. Together they traveled with the Army to Washington, D.C., Korea and Germany. "For 31 years the government paid for our 'missionary trips' around the world." says Bob.

He retired, then worked as an executive at Microsoft.

That's when Gen. Dick Abel, director of Campus Crusade's Military Ministry, asked Bob if he would take his place. "He first said no, then he came back and said yes," explains Gen. Abel. "It's very, very clear God anointed and called Gen. Dees and Kathleen."

In the Army, Bob led more than 18,000 American troops; through his new role, he directs the ministry to all American military branches and 21 international militaries as well.
—Jennifer Abegg

Peter and Elizabeth Asiimwe offer hope for a new tomorrow in Uganda.

For centuries, the African country of Uganda held a powerful secret.

Its beautiful countryside blends the savanna into the dense jungle, and its people are warm and friendly. But most stunning of all, at the country's southeastern border, lies Africa's largest lake. Early explorers to Africa spent generations searching for this great lake, because it held a secret kept for generations. Lake Victoria is the largest source of the great Nile River, the longest river in the world.

But Uganda is also the source for another river, a spiritual river of hope, streaming across Africa and around the world. Peter Asiimwe, director of Campus Crusade for Christ in Uganda, wants to see his country as a place from where God sends people to help change the world. "Like the long river Nile," he says, "we believe God is calling Uganda to send out living water to the nations of the world."

It's a big dream, because Uganda and Africa have been plagued with problems for generations. Government corruption, the AIDS pandemic, and nominal Christianity could have easily blocked the river before it even began, just like Peter's life could have been blocked by his own ambitions.

Early in life, Peter pursued sports, academics and even politics. He got a degree teaching chemistry and was one of the top chess players in all of Uganda. Then he ran for a public office, but lost.

"That got my attention," he remembers. "I began to read the Bible and wondered if God might have a plan for my life." Not yet a Christian, Peter read one verse in Romans that stayed with him: "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (2:4).

"I thought someone had smuggled that verse into the Bible," Peter says with a laugh, "but really it just convicted me so much." As he was teaching at a high school, another teacher told him about how he could know God. Peter asked God to forgive him for his sins and began his new life as a follower of Christ.

Peter now lives in the capital city, Kampala, near the shores of Lake Victoria. From there, he directs Campus Crusade staff members in Uganda; but like the Nile, they are continually crossing Uganda's borders.

Missionaries from Uganda have gone to countries all over Africa, as well as Russia, Albania and the Philippines. Campus Crusade staff member Jonathan Besigomwe left Uganda for Botswana, and now directs the ministry there. Another staff member, Dora Rubombora, has served in many countries in Africa, including Mali, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Bekele Shanko, director of Campus Crusade ministries in Southern and Eastern Africa, has known Peter for many years, and believes highly in his vision. "Peter wants to dedicate his life to seeing God transform the continent of Africa," says Bekele. "I know that Peter will want to be known as a true follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, mentor of younger leaders, and a man of prayer."

Peter has faith that Uganda will continue to be a country that reaches the world. If he ever has doubts, he can take a short trip to strengthen his faith. Just 20 miles from his house is the source of the longest river in the world. Peter can't see the Mediterranean Sea, thousands of miles away, but he knows this lake pours into it through the Nile. Standing on the shores of Lake Victoria, no goal appears out of reach.
—Becky Hill

Debbie and Leonard Buhler help shape Canadians' lives.

When Leonard Buhler was 18, he approached his father, Isaac, with an idea to build their business. A part owner of a large three-generation Canadian potato business called Buhler Farms Ltd., Leonard thought they should increase the acreage. At first Isaac believed they had a good setup the way it was and didn't need the additional land. However, Isaac implemented his son's idea, and the business grew.

"He always got ahead of me," Isaac says, jokingly, remembering Leonard's teen years. "It was irritable to me."

Leonard, now 47, continues to be an aggressive builder. In February 2004, Leonard assumed the presidency of Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada. His job is to help the 415 Canadian staff members make Christ known to all of Canada.

His executive assistant, Lori Dick, notes that Leonard gets most passionate when discussing or thinking about ways to expand the ministry. Many in his stead might succumb to holding a tight rein on the organization in an attempt to build it. "He doesn't want to micromanage," Lori says. "He just says, 'This is your mandate; this is your role. Go and do it.'"

"He'll challenge you to do more with what you have," says Garry Wiebe, a friend from Leonard's hometown of Winkler, Manitoba. Dave Currie agrees. Dave directs FamilyLife, Canada's marriage and family ministry, and dreams larger dreams for FamilyLife due, in part, to Leonard's influence.

In 2003, FamilyLife's biweekly TV show, Marriage Uncensored, regularly broadcast to 15,000 viewers from Vancouver's smallest cable station. For Dave, a Niagara Falls-sized gap stood before them, between the current audience of 15,000 and where FamilyLife wanted to be—utilizing media on a grand scale to help influence their nation of 32 million.

Dave was encouraged by Leonard to make one of his goals a nationally syndicated show. "I told him at one point, 'I'm almost afraid to put on paper the things I'm thinking about because they're kind of big,'" Dave says. "He said, 'If you don't put them down, something's wrong with you. You're working in the wrong organization.'"

In April 2005, Marriage Uncensored jumped to a 9-million-viewer area, not counting Canadians who own a satellite dish. Dave recounts the faith step: "Leonard was the one who said, 'Go ahead and try it. I'll back you or we'll die trying.'"

"My goal is to have exponential growth in what we're doing," Leonard told CanadianChristianity.com. "I'm a building person, and we want to reach our country and the world with the message of Jesus Christ in the most innovative way we can."

Steve Douglass, president of Campus Crusade for Christ International, along with his wife, Judy, meet with Leonard and his wife, Debbie, on occasion. Judy noted that Leonard's business sense was built upon his solid spiritual base. "I was really struck," Judy says, "by the wonderful blending of his highly organized business approach and his leading with a very spiritual nature and heart."

Leonard has learned a great secret about building—it can happen during times it appears he's doing nothing remotely resembling building. Like during his daily early-morning walks. Each morning Leonard talks with the Lord, the real Builder, and renews his commitment to be His servant.

"I'm just an ordinary man who serves an extraordinary God."
—Angie Bring

For more about the Canadian ministry, visit www.crusade.org.

Leiliane Rodrigues Lopes (left) knocked politely, waiting for the man she could see to come to the door. When the man didn't answer, she rapped louder. She even called out, and pounded again, but he stayed inside.

She had met his wife, Dona Isabel, the day before at a JESUS film showing, and Isabel had invited her to come and talk about Jesus. But when Leiliane showed up, Isabel's husband wouldn't answer the door. Frustrated, Leiliane turned to leave.

Then Isabel rounded the corner with groceries. Seeing Leiliane, she explained that her husband, José, could only hear if someone shouted directly in his ear.

Later, while José stayed in another room, the women sat on the veranda and talked about Jesus. "God loves you and offers a wonderful plan for your life," Leiliane began in Portuguese, using a booklet called the Four Spiritual Laws.

Halfway through the presentation, José burst into the room and exclaimed, "Young lady, what wonderful things you are saying! From the moment you began to speak with my wife, I began to hear."

Amazed, Leiliane finished explaining the gospel, and the couple received Christ.
—Becky Hill


Germany
Campus Ministry

Claudia Troger became a Christian by eavesdropping.

Though she grew up in what was once Communist East Germany, Claudia (left) believed God existed. However, she didn't know God.

"I was lonely and searching for answers," says Claudia, who was a student at Germany's University of Berlin. Then she met some American Campus Crusade missionaries there.

During a party at the Americans' home, Claudia overheard a conversation between a missionary and a German. The American was explaining how to know God personally. Though the other German seemed uninterested, Claudia wanted answers, and she kept listening, amazed at what she heard. Still eavesdropping, she prayed and invited Christ into her life during that conversation. "Praying to Jesus seemed really weird," she remembers.

Five years later, she is a missionary with Campus Crusade, working in England at Imperial College London. She tells others about Jesus, never knowing who is listening.
—Jennifer Abegg


Oregon
Priority Associates

At one Portland, Ore., coffee shop, customers might get more than a cup of joe.

"Starbucks is a people place," says Hunt Schuler, a local real-estate developer. Hunt and his friend Todd Berk spend lots of time at Starbucks, and not just for the coffee. Every Monday they ask people a six-question spiritual questionnaire.

The aim is to get people thinking about spirituality: who Jesus is and what happens after death. "I want to listen and find out where the hole in their heart is," says Todd, a staff member with Priority Associates, Campus Crusade's ministry to the marketplace. Often, the five-minute questionnaire takes 45 minutes as people willingly disclose their lives.

Todd invites friends like Hunt to do questionnaires with him. He is excited about people accepting Christ, but Todd loves what happens to those he takes along. "They are growing as leaders," he says. Hunt recently shared the gospel with gardeners at his house and recruited a woman he met at a restaurant to conduct similar questionnaires.

One by one, they're learning to make evangelism a way of life.
—Jessica Cline


Guatemala
Athletes In Action

Curiosity drew a crowd to the Guatemalan basketball court. Black belt David Lopez was demonstrating tae kwon do—a sport quickly gaining popularity in Guatemala. At the end of the presentation, David explained the gospel.

But the presentation flopped.

"Most Guatemalans are open to the gospel," says Cristobal Chamale, director of Guatemala Athletes in Action, Campus Crusade's sports ministry. After talking with the boys, David and Cristobal realized the gospel didn't interest them. But learning—not just watching—martial arts did. So David and the boys made a deal: Once a week he would teach them tae kwon do if they would also listen to a Bible presentation.

Each week before David instructs the boys in martial arts, Edgar Ruiz leads the group through AIA's Total Athlete curriculum. "They teach that the body's power and strength comes from God," says Cristobal. Only three students attended the first class. Now 38 come.

One student, Anibal Patzan, used to be involved in a gang. "I didn't just find [tae kwon do]," says Anibal, 18. "I found God. Now I am a friend of God."
—Jessica Cline