FT. HOOD,TEXAS (ANS) -- Two Christian ministries that provide materials to those who are hurting after tragedy strikes have responded to the shooting incident at Ft. Hood, Texas.

In response to the shooting at Ft. Hood, Texas, the entire staff at Military Ministry (www.militaryministry.org ) says it "offers heartfelt condolences and prayers for the victims of this tragedy and their families during this incredibly difficult time."

In a media release, the ministry says: "While it is too early to know exactly what has happened, we are thankful for the chaplains, commanders and churches in the Ft. Hood community who are working hard to help these hurting troops and families. We know they are in good hands and will pray for their continued strength now and in the weeks to come.

"At Military Ministry, we understand how incredibly important Faith in the Fox Hole and Hope on the Home Front is for troops and families…especially at times like these. Every day, sobering statistics remind us of the realities facing our men and women in uniform and the ones they love."

The ministry cites the following statistics:

**Divorce and suicide rates are at all-time highs: in October 2009, 16 military members across all Services committed suicide.
**Homelessness among Veterans is astonishing: nearly 30 percent of the homeless on the streets of America once wore a military uniform.
**Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder continues to ravage our troops and families: Department of Defense estimates are that 1 in 5 troops returning from combat may suffer with PTSD. Secondary combat trauma effects impact many military family members as well.

In light of these realities, Military Ministry and church-based programs are doubly important, the ministry says.

“Military Ministry is working to equip thousands of churches across America to minister more effectively to troops, veterans and military families,” said Military Ministry Executive Director Major General (U.S. Army, Retired) Bob Dees.

Major General (U.S. Army, Retired) Robert F. Dees, Military Ministry Executive Director, is a graduate of West Point (1972), and served with distinction as an Army infantry commander and staff officer until his retirement in 2002. Immediately prior to assuming leadership of Military Ministry in April 2005, Dees served as Executive Director, Defense Strategies at Microsoft Corp.

According to the media release, the ministry offers a Rapid Response Center (1-800-444-6006) where troops, family members and concerned individuals call for prayer support and information about resources and programs.

Resources include the “Combat Trauma Healing Manual” and “When War Comes Home” -- books offering context, spiritual nurture and healing to help returning warriors and military wives deal with the invisible wounds to the spirit that so often accompany combat trauma.

Military Ministry says there is still much to be done to address PTSD and its effects, which have become a national epidemic.

"Across America, Military Ministry seeks to mobilize thousands of churches, and tens of thousands of lay and professional counselors, on behalf of hundreds of thousands of troops, veterans, and their families," the ministry states.

“We need partners to reach troops and families and provide the spiritual resources they desperately need,” said Dees. “If you can help a troop directly -- do it now. If not, do it through us or your church. Together we can help heal our nation and its heroes.”

Military Ministry addresses the spiritual needs of troops and families by teaming up with commanders and chaplains. They have developed relevant and effective faith-based programs and materials, which are turning the tide for many warriors and families dealing with the effects of combat trauma and the challenges of military service.

For more information about Military Ministry, go to www.militaryministry.org  or call 1-800-444-6006. Press contact: Rachel Sherburne; Work: (757) 928-7254;Cell: (757) 870-5084.

Lamar Vest, president and CEO of the American Bible Society, made the following statement in response to the shooting at Fort Hood:  “We extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the victims, their families and our military comrades who have been affected by the shooting at Fort Hood.

"We have been in contact with Chaplains at Fort Hood and are working closely with them to ensure there are ample grief and Bible resources to help anyone affected by this tragedy."

For 192 years, the American Bible Society has worked with and supported the U.S. military by providing the hope of the Bible. Our words cannot match the height of our appreciation or the depth of our sorrow for those who live and die to protect and defend the freedoms we enjoy.”

The American Bible Society has a long Military Partnership History. The Society has worked with the U.S. military since 1817 to make the Bible available to service men and women in the U.S. and abroad. Headquartered in New York City, the mission of the 193-year-old American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life-changing message.

Some examples of its involvement with military personnel include:

**Distributed Bibles to the crew on the U.S.S. John Adams in 1817
**Provided Bibles to both the North and South during the Civil War
**Provided Bibles to U.S. soldiers during the Mexican War
**Delivered Bibles to U.S. troops serving in WWI
**Distributed more than 7.4 million pieces of Bible literature during WWII
**Provided military personnel in the Persian Gulf with 300,000 compact **Bibles with camouflage covers
**Distributed 500,000 pocket-sized military Bibles and developed 2 million Rapid Deployment Kits (RDK’s) for troops in Iraq
**Distributed more than 1.6 million portions of the Bible directly to chaplains and military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003
**Produced 400,000 booklets called “God Understands” for U.S. Chaplains to use as a biblical counseling tool

The American Bible Society Newsroom is located on the web at: www.demossnews.com/americanb ible

PRESS CONTACTS:
Jocelyn Broder
Jeff Johnson
Phone 770.813.0000
Mobile 404.545.0085

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael has traveled to Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Israel, and Canada. He has reported for ANS from Jordan, China, Russia, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649,at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can donate online to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.'