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.
--30--

[VOA]

Seven others were injured in the incident, she said.

Prayers for the other good guys. Some were probably biting hard on the bullet
before the medics arrived.

This article is just to remind us where America's REAL "Best and Brightest" are.

[PigRigger]

"This article is just to remind us where America's REAL "Best and Brightest" are."

Truer words could not be said. May God be with all of the men, women, and families of our Armed Forces.

[WestPoint90]

Father hold his family in the palm of your hand. Please give them the peace Josh now rests in with you.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks, TGYC and LTCJ.

Rest in peace, Joshua Byers.

[sasafras]

In defense of our freedom our service men and women have paid the ultimate price and I am forever in debt. A song I wrote re. a particular solidier's story is posted on my website but applies to all who are serving and all who have lost a loved one. It can be found at
www.seanjsasser.com
All Freepers are encouraged to forward this song to those who might need hearing it during their time of grief.

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me:
As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.

[Dick Bachert]

To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more bleeding, no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
Just divine embrace, eternal light
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
Through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord.

[dandelion]

I'm so sorry. Please tell the family we grieve for them; what a beautiful smile he has.

His heart was more beautiful. We am not worthy of such devotion, for beautiful young men and women to die for our freedom. It is the imitation of Christ. God, make us at least try to be worthy; let us remember that every time we worship You in peace, or speak our minds in freedom, it was bought with the blood of men such as these...

[Soaring Feather]

I am so sorry about this young mans' death. Prayers for his widow and his parents.

[MeekOneGOP]

Very nice. I listened to the song and followed the words along via your PDF file there.

Thanks !!

[Billie]

I'm so sorry about Josh, LTCJ. It's sad when any of ours are killed in war, defending and protecting our country, but when one of our FReepers knew one of the fallen, it really brings it home to us. Prayers for his family, and for all those who knew and loved him.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Prayers for the sacrifice you so bravely gave for this country Capt. Joshua T. Byers, God Bless you !!! May you and your comrades who also gave their all, REST IN ETERNAL PEACE! WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!

May our gracious and loving Father in heaven lift up his wife Kim, his parents and friends and comfort them in thier pain and grief.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...Praise GOD that...

...LOVE is the Only Reality and...

...GOD is LOVE.

[Fawnn]

Prayers lifted for Josh's wife, family, and friends....

[editor-surveyor]

Looks like Satan has identified one of our best, and taken him out. I'll pray for a quick replacement!

[austinTparty]

Song of Farewell (Old Hundredth)

Come to his aid, O Saints of God
Come meet him, angels of the Lord.
Receive his soul, O holy ones
Present him now to God Most High.

May Christ who called you take you home
and angels lead you to Abraham.
Receive his soul, O holy ones
Present him now to God Most High.

Give him eternal rest, O Lord
May light unending shine on him.
Receive his soul, O holy ones
Present him now to God Most High.

I know that my Redeemer lives
The last day I shall rise again.
Receive his soul, O holy ones
Present him now to God Most High.

Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine: et lux perpetua luceat eis...

(Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord: and may perpetual light shine upon them)

[fatima]

So sorry to hear this news,my prayers are with this family.

[LaDivaLoca]

My sincerest condolences and prayers to this young man's family and friends.

[cowgirlcutie]

Thanks for the ping, Tonkin. What a brave young soldier. I'm so proud and sad at the same time. I pray that he rest in peace and that God gives his family and friends the comfort they need so much right now.

[gonzo]

God Bless Captain Byers. Our prayers are with him and his family and friends.............FRegards