CHRISTIAN SOLDIER
CHRISTIAN SOLDIER
George Powers is helping lead souls to freedom as co-director for the Southeast Kansas House of Prayer, PittsburgOnce a soldier, always a soldier. You never stop fighting for what’s right. Such is the case with George Powers as told in the Pittsburgh, Kansas Morning Sun by staff writer Nikki Patrick.
George Powers has been a fighter against tyranny all his life.
First he fought against communist tyranny as a Ranger, a Green Beret and master parachutist, serving three combat tours of duty in Vietnam.
Now he’s fighting spiritual tyranny, helping lead souls to freedom as co-director for the Southeast Kansas House of Prayer, Pittsburg. His new book, “The Making of a Soldier,” traces his battles, military and spiritual. Powers will sign copies of the book from 4 to 7:30 p.m. today and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the recently dedicated Kansas National Guard Armory on South Rouse.
“I so much appreciate the Kansas National Guard agreeing to be my host for this book signing,” Powers said. “I want to do anything I can to make the public aware of the sacrifice our military is making, not only those who are serving but their families as well.”
A native of Wyoming, Powers wrote that “the heritage of a soldier that was to become mine literally grew out of the ground I lived on as a small child.” His great-grandfather’s ranch included three sites involved in the U.S. military’s battle against various Native American tribes, including Fort Phil Kearny.
He entered Montana State College at Bozeman, from which he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and Distinguished Military Graduate.
He served 12 1/2 years as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, including 30 months in Vietnam, earning numerous honors including the Bronze Star with Valor third award, Air Medal with Valor third award, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Badge, Army Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Silver and Bronze Stars. Memories of those years are often with him, and he frequently visits the Vietnam Wall at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial. “I have friends on that wall,” Powers said.
He later attended seminary, graduated and returned to active duty as a U.S. Army chaplain with the 82D Airborne Division, Special Operations Command, Joint Special Operations Command and 1ST Infantry Division. He continued in ministry after leaving the military, and in 1987 answered a call to pastor the South Broadway Baptist Church, Pittsburg. Powers later was instrumental in organizing Christ’s Community Church, and in developing the Southeast Kansas House of Prayer.
Based in Pittsburg, it has a mandate covering 10 area counties and is affiliated with the Kansas City International House of Prayer, Topeka House of Prayer, Crossroads International House of Prayer in Joplin and Bethel House of Prayer in Platt City, Mo.
Powers has never confined his ministry inside church walls. For 12 years, he served as PSU athletic chaplain, and he continues as an on-call chaplain with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department. “I cherish the relationship with Sandy Horton and his staff,” Powers said.
For the past three years he’s also been a substitute teacher in Pittsburg schools, and enjoys working with the youngsters. Powers is the father of five children, and stepfather of three born to his wife, Sue, and her previous husband, Doug Head. Four of his five sons have also gone into the military — Maj. Tim Powers, Maj. Tom Powers, Senior Airman Jason Head and Pfc. Paxton Powers. “Only an injury in high school kept my son, Travis Powers, out of the military lineup,” Powers said.
Various friends had urged him to write a book about his life. “I never thought I’d do anything like that,” he said. But he did, and response has been good for the book, which costs $15. Powers is a member of the Military Writers Society of America, and it recently posted an online review of “The Making of a Soldier” by Jim Stewart.
“George Powers has written a fine book about his journey through life,” Stewart wrote. “…His description of his tour of duty in Vietnam is detailed and hard-hitting. This is the spiritual growth of a committed leader and soldier.” The reviewer ended by highly recommending the book, which he called an uplifting and educational journey from personal bondage to salvation.
Powers now refers to himself as a “made-over” soldier who battles with prayer and praise rather than guns and bullets. “There is no higher calling than to surrender to the invitation to become a private in God’s Army,” Powers said.
Thank you Nikki for covering this so well. Another good story about a good soldier!
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