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At the ministry center, fondly named \u201cGravity,\u201d Navigators Jamie and Kelli Karmann<\/a> are creating such a home for these young military personnel. Hosting Bible studies and ministry nights, the Karmanns have watched as the Lord has worked powerfully in the lives of those on base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Karmanns relocated to Albuquerque in the thick of the COVID pandemic, hoping to respark The Navigators ministry at Kirtland Air Force Base. Though everything was shut down at the time, the Karmanns started their ministry with prayer, asking the Lord to work in the hearts of airmen on base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Karmanns started to engage with airmen at the ministry center, watching as the Lord answered their prayers. Soon, they had a Thursday night Bible study going, which was full of nonbelievers who were looking for community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was at this Bible study where Kelli first met Meili. Newly stationed at Kirtland and just out of high school, Meili was struggling to find her footing \u2014 professionally, spiritually, and relationally. Overwhelmed, Meili came to Gravity one night, where she was encouraged to keep attending Bible study to get to know more people and build a support system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jamie and Kelli kept spending time with Meili, inviting her into their home, taking long drives together, and even going camping. Despite not growing up in church, Meili kept attending the Karmanns\u2019 Bible studies. Though life was challenging, she was open to learning about Jesus, and Kelli could tell that she was in a process of seeking answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the year, Kelli kept pursuing Meili, even though their relationship was not always easy. Meili often asked Kelli why she cared so deeply for others. This opened the door for Kelli to share about Christ\u2019s love and truth, citing 1 John 4:19<\/a>: \u201cWe love because he first loved us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe started sharing with me what was going on with her soul,\u201d Kelli says. \u201cWe would spend hours and hours driving around, talking. It was clear she was hungry for knowledge and for growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n One evening, Meili was talking with Kelli, and she expressed a desire to be called a Christian \u2014 even though she didn\u2019t have all the answers yet. A soccer player in high school, Meili compared it to calling oneself a \u201csoccer player\u201d without being a professional. That night, she surrendered her life to Christ. Meili was baptized, and Kelli continued to disciple her until Meili recently left the military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe knew the military was not for her,\u201d Kelli says. \u201cBut then she started saying things like, \u2018What if the only reason I came here was to meet Jesus? What if the military wasn\u2019t my calling, but it was simply my calling to meet Him?<\/em>\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meili\u2019s story didn\u2019t stop with her own transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Meili was attending Bible studies, she started inviting her suitemate, Alex*, to join along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis helped me,\u201d Meili said. \u201cMaybe it would help you too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Slowly but surely, Alex\u2019s heart began to open to the truths of Scripture. She asked insightful questions, started memorizing verses, and shared that while she wasn’t quite ready to commit, she felt the Word changing her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One evening, as Navigator staff-in-training Zach Sullivan<\/a> shared The Bridge to Life illustration<\/a>, Alex started to break down in tears. Jamie felt the Holy Spirit prick his heart to say to the group, \u201cDoes anyone want to cross this bridge tonight?\u201d Still crying, Alex raised her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jamie prayed with her as she trusted in Jesus as her Savior. Zach\u2019s wife, Jessica, began meeting with Alex weekly for discipleship, and Alex continues to grow in her understanding of and love for Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meili and Alex\u2019s story is just an example of how the Lord is moving in military bases across the country, bringing men and women to Christ through genuine and patient relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the Karmanns labor to create a safe, loving place for these servicemembers in need of a home away from home, and they\u2019ve watched God answer their prayers, meeting and gently drawing these young adults to Himself and welcoming them into His family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPeople are coming to military bases, and they don\u2019t know what they are seeking,\u201d Kelli says. \u201cBut they want connection. They want faith. The Lord has created a place at Gravity where they can come and discover and be loved no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about how God is working through The Navigators in Albuquerque<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMeili and Alex\u2019s Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Connection and Faith on Base<\/h2>\n\n\n\n