A soldier who toured Bosnia and ‘hated Christianity’ has received an award for his evangelistic work in the army.
Army Scripture Reader Lee McDade (see photo) has received a commendation from the Chief of the General Staff, General Mark Carleton-Smith, for ‘Services to the Spiritual and Pastoral Care of Recruits and Permanent Staff’ at the Catterick army barracks.
McDade has been an evangelist for the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association (SASRA) for the past 13 years. In addition to one to one pastoral sessions, his work includes leading garrison church services, Bible studies, prayer meetings and counselling services.
SASRA traces its roots back to 1818 but has been organised under that name since 1938. McDade’s job description ‘Army Scripture Reader’ dates back to the Napoleonic Wars, when readers literally read the Bible aloud to illiterate soldiers on the battlefield.
The commendation honours McDade’s seven-year service at Catterick, where over 3,000 military personnel are based. It underlines how McDade is recognised as playing a key role in the welfare of the troops.
Lee has been with SASRA for 13 years. ‘I wasn’t a Christian when I was in the Army,’ he said. ‘In fact, I hated Christianity as a soldier. My last tour of duty was in Bosnia, after which I left, angry and disillusioned. I began searching for answers, and as a result I became a Christian in 1999. I felt called to full-time ministry as soon as I was converted, I just wanted to share Jesus with as many people as possible.’ His calling into this work followed a decade later, when life with soldiers beckoned once again for Lee and his family.
