Joshua Byers, killed in Iraq, called '110%' in career & faith - PRAYER REQUEST

BPNews ^ | 25 JUly 2003 | By James Dotson

[LTCJ]

Prayer Request - Joshua Byers, killed in Iraq, called '110%' in career & faith

Joshua Byers, killed in Iraq, called '110%' in career & faith
Jul 25, 2003
By James Dotson

Missionary son
Joshua Byers, 29, killed July 23 in Iraq, was a U.S. Army captain who "always did everything 110 percent, and that's how his walk with God was too," said his brother, Milam Byers, lead guitarist for the Christian rock band Bleach. Byers was the son of North American Mission Board workers Lloyd and Mary Byers.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--U.S. Army Capt. Joshua T. Byers, son of North American missionaries Lloyd and Mary Byers and a committed Southern Baptist lay leader, was killed in action the morning of July 23 in Iraq.

Byers, 29, was the son of Lloyd and Mary Byers, who have been missionaries of the North American Mission Board since January on the U.S. territory of Guam. Lloyd Byers, director of missions for the Guam Baptist Association, previously was a church planter/pastor of Foothills Community Church in Mt. Airy, Ga., and earlier served as a pastor and church planter in South Carolina, Nevada and Georgia.

Joshua Byers also was the older brother of Milam and Jared Byers, lead guitarist and drummer, respectively, for the popular Christian rock band Bleach.

Joshua was most recently a company commander assigned to Headquarters Troop, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based in Fort Carson, Colo. He was the only person killed when a remote-controlled exploded on the side of the road east of Baghdad as a military convoy of about 50 vehicles was passing by, according to Mary Byers. Seven others were injured in the incident, she said.

Byers is survived by his wife, Kim, who lives in Fountain, Colo., just outside Fort Carson. A 1996 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he previously served as aide to the commanding general at Fort Carson, Milam Byers said.

The was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Defense about noon July 25, but no further comment from military officials was immediately available.

Mary Byers said she and her husband were flying from Tokyo to Atlanta July 23, and got the news from their sons when they arrived in Atlanta.

"We're just really in shock, but we certainly appreciate the prayer support we've already heard about through the North American Mission Board and all Southern Baptists we've been in contact with," she said.

Robert E. (Bob) Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board, was among those expressing condolences.

"Just as Lloyd and Mary serve Christ knowing there may be a high price to pay, their son Joshua served our country and a cause he believed in," Reccord said. "We grieve with the Byers family during their time of loss. They can be comforted in knowing Joshua is with his Lord and that he was serving a just cause in Iraq. Our prayers and thoughts go out to them."

Byers was a committed Christian who pursued his faith in God with the same passion he pursued his military career, said Milam Byers, reached by phone in Nashville where the family has gathered.

"His whole life, this was all he wanted to do," Milam said of his brother's military career. "He worked hard to get into West Point, and when he was at West Point he worked hard to be the best there. ... He always did everything 110 percent, and that's how his walk with God was too."

Joshua accepted Christ at age 7, Milam said, and never seemed to go through the phases of rebellion that often accompany adolescence.

"It always seemed like when there was a decision to make he always made the godly one," Milam said. "He was very consistent in that. He took every aspect of his life very seriously. As young as middle school he always had a head to think that was much older than he was."

Joshua also was a gifted communicator, according to his brother, with a gift for preaching that he would use during visits home on vacation and leave.

"He wanted to take advantage of that time," Milam said. "I think in the back of his head I really do believe he was called to lead people, but in this season of his life he just knew God wanted him to be a leader in the Army and minister that way."

It was during one visit with friends in Hartselle, Ala., while he was attending West Point, that he had an opportunity not only to preach but to meet his future wife, Kim. The daughter of Jack Redfearn Jr., pastor of West Harselle Baptist Church, she was about five years younger than him. But they kept in touch, and four years later a deeper relationship developed, Milam said. They married in 1998.

Joshua also was a gifted writer, Milam said. "He wrote poems. ... His letters were always amazing. He always wanted to write a book, and he always kept a detailed journal."

Joshua and Kim both were involved heavily as volunteers in the youth ministry at their church, Heart of the Springs Church in Colorado Springs, Milam said. He remembered how Joshua would sometimes call him and his other brother from youth group meetings on Sunday nights.

"Some kids in his youth group were big Bleach fans, and he loved the fact that he could tell them that those were his brothers," Milam said.

During the war with Iraq, Milam said his brother understood the risks but was ready to do whatever was necessary to achieve victory.

"We kept hoping that the war would be over soon. I know that just recently he had written and said that he was worried that people over there had forgotten about them -- because the media had been hailing that the war was over and we had won. ... But actually the last couple of months he said we had taken more hits than in the first couple of weeks in the war when it was covered so well."

A memorial service for Joshua Byers is scheduled for 1 p.m. July 30 in Fort Carson, Milam said. The funeral and burial tentatively are planned for Saturday, Aug. 2, at Lisbon Presbyterian Church in Mountville, S.C. Memorial gifts may be made to the Guam Baptist Association, PO Box 326008, Hagatna, GU 96932-6000.
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[Amelia]

LTCJ, thanks for sharing this with us. Condolences to you, your church family, and Josh's earthly family in your loss.

[shezza]

Prayers for Kim and the family of this fine young man.

[dennisw]

May the L_rd carry him and comfort his family.

[risk]

Many thanks to his family for raising such a selfless American who was willing to give his all for us.

[rageaholic]

A true American who will be missed. God bless him and his family.

[Davea]

Prayers for the family.

[RJL]

Prayer sent for Joshua and his family.

[Coop]

God bless him, his family and you. This brave young man paid the ultimate price for freedom. We're saddened, yet extremely grateful.

[LTCJ]

Thank you all so much for your kind replies. The more I read them, the more I realized just how hard his loss had been hitting me. I can’t imagine what Kim is going through. My heart breaks for her.

Yesterday at church, several of us were talking about Josh and swapping stories. It was especially poignant because a young lieutenant of our congregation was three-days-fresh back from Iraq and standing right there with us (although he hadn't known Josh). I had forgotten the story that someone told – it was just so typical of Josh that it was lost among my other memories of him: when he was stationed here and went out into the field, every morning his tank crew would gather together and he’d lead them in a Bible study.

I thought I’d share with you something that our pastor read yesterday at the end of the morning service. It was taken from an e-mail that one of our other pastors had received from Josh before he shipped out to Kuwait. I've taken the liberty of highlighting a portion that particularly struck me.

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Here is the excerpt from the letter Josh sent out before he left:

Let me assure you -- I am well-trained in my duties as a soldier and a leader - I have trained hard, both individually and collectively with my units, on all of the tasks that I must perform in combat for the last 11 years (right along with many of you receiving this e-mail!). Everything I have done since my first day at West Point in 1992 has been to prepare me for this challenge. I and my fellow cavalry troopers are ready for this.

I am at peace with the knowledge that I am in God's will and firmly believe that it is better to be shot at in God's will than to be drinking margaritas on some gorgeous beach out of it. God has shown me this time and time again throughout my life - so much so that to believe anything other than that my Lord protects me and will be right beside me every moment of this deployment would be irrational!

I cannot tell you in all honesty that I feel no fear - I do. Fear is healthy when rationed in increments that keep my awareness keen. But as a Christian warrior, I am confident that God is in charge and fully in control of all of the things that are beyond my control - I can give all of that to Him and drive on, focusing on what I can effect!

I will talk to you all when I return home! In the meantime, please send me letters! Mail is worth more than gold to a deployed soldier! I will also give names of soldiers to Kim that don't receive as much mail as others so you can all adopt an extra pen-pal or two, if you'd like.

My address in Iraq will be:
CPT BYERS, JOSHUA T.
HHT, 2/3 ACR
APO ....

Don't send any packages (just letters) to this address for a few weeks. Kim will have the latest information on what kinds of things we need over there via packages from home.

God bless each of you and God Bless America.

Your obedient servant,
Captain Josh Byers
2nd Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment

Philippians 4:13

 

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I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Phil 4:13

[Coop]

I will also give names of soldiers to Kim that don't receive as much mail as others so you can all adopt an extra pen-pal or two, if you'd like.

Sounds like a fine officer and a class act - the world is a little worse off with his passing.

[MoJo2001]

God Bless this young man. May he rest in peace. Prayers for his family and friends.

[VOA]

A Christian Warrior

Too bad a lot of Christians think the term is an oxymoron

[BOBTHENAILER]

Deeply felt prayers for Josh and his familiy.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

PING FOR A FALLEN WARRIOR

LTCJ: May God Welcome Josh Home and comfort his family and friends.

LTCJ: Thank You for your service to our country.

[beachn4fun]

[ladtx]

As a old former 11th ACR trooper myself I understand his patriotism, devotion to duty, and esprit de corps for his unit. I have one son still over there myself. I can only imagine their loss. My heartfelt prayers go out to the family.

[Mr. Silverback]

This was a fine young man. LT, I grieve with you. Will pray for his wife and family.

Josh, my brother, you are a hero proved in liberating strife. We know you are resting in peace, and I look forward to meeting you.

[Mr. Silverback]

Your post reminds me of a couple of lines from a Geoff Moore song:

How I long to see the hour
When I will hear that trumpet sound
Rise to see my Savior's face
See Him smile, and say "Well done!"

[Mr. Silverback]

Roger that!