FrontSight: Blessing the Children of Veterans
Photos by Tom Price
Doreth, wife of U.S. Army veteran Eric Lewis, displays a T-shirt with the ministry’s name and logo. The Lewises are active in FrontSight Military Outreach (FSMO), faithfully serving each year at A Hero’s Child event.
“Baby Jesus is under my pillow!” a little voice cried out in the crowded room of military veterans and their families in 2023. Laughter broke out in response to the girl’s admission after speaker Dale Goddard had declared, “Nobody knows where baby Jesus is!” Not understanding that he was describing how his church office’s nativity set was missing the figurine baby Jesus, she admitted to taking her family’s baby Jesus from her home nativity. Dale was relating how real and important Jesus is to us all year long in his Christmas message on Luke Chapter 2 during A Hero’s Child banquet.
Micah Chavez, whose parents are both Army veterans, carefully inspects the display for his perfect gifts.
“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
Dale is an assistant pastor at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (CCGS) in Diamond Bar, CA. He stated: “When you’ve seen the ravages of war—what it can do as it attaches itself to your mind, your memory—the only way to get through is our Savior, the truth of His presence, and His ongoing healing work in your life.”
While Dale and Raul Ries, CCGS senior pastor, are frequent speakers at the banquet—FrontSight Military Outreach’s (FSMO) annual Christmas event—it was Raul’s vision years ago to reach combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its psychiatric comorbidities.
Suicide Prevention
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt Col (U.S.M.S) Dave Ford shared: “A psychologist once told me that civilians will talk about suicide a few hundred times before they commit the act. But if you hear a veteran talk about suicide, listen and take them seriously because they only speak about it a few times before taking their life.”
Raul and Dale tapped Dave and another veteran, Jeff McQueen, in 2008 to form a suicide awareness and prevention ministry. “Raul was very sensitive to the military [needs] and their high suicide rate. He asked that we develop something [veterans] could come to,” explained Dave. Through the Lord’s guidance, FrontSight Ministries emerged—providing CCGS veterans and their families a community with camaraderie, trust, and healing for their visible and invisible wounds.
Change Brings Growth
In 2014, Dave moved FrontSight Ministry off the CCGS campus to a stand-alone facility and changed their name to FrontSight Military Outreach. Because many veterans don’t attend church—for multiple reasons—moving to a neutral site made sense, Dave said. Nearly 10 years later and following a second move into a nicer facility in Ontario, CA, FSMO is still operating—and saving lives and families.
Impacted by FSMO, veteran Octavio Sanchez is now the executive director of the not-for-profit organization. Octavio was critically injured while serving in Iraq in 2005 after his Humvee ran over an improvised explosive device (IED). Suffering burns to nearly 70% of his face and body, he required extensive facial reconstruction and lost the use of his left hand. His right hand was amputated. Although he and his family were cared for physically through his surgeries and recoveries, the mental and spiritual battles lay just ahead.
Veterans’ kids pray with Pastor Dale Goddard (standing) of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (CCGS), CA, as he concludes the Christmas message.
Daughter of a U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) veteran, Elena Escalante spies out her favorite gifts before the toy selection begins.
Veterans Octavio Sanchez, USMC (left) and Victor Galindo, U.S. Army, enjoy camaraderie during A Hero’s Child festivities—FrontSight Military Outreach’s annual Christmas event for veterans and their children. Octavio is FSMO’s executive director.
“‘You will not need to fight in this battle. …’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17
Retired from the U.S. Marine Corps because of the injuries, Octavio felt torn away from his close-knit military family. His physical deformities brought awkward attention in public and anguish to his children. “When my son saw me, he began hitting his head saying, ‘That’s not my Dad,’ ” Octavio heartbreakingly recalled. A good friend familiar with FrontSight approached Octavio. “He bugged and bugged me into going. When I walked into the hallway where all the pictures of vets are lined up, it felt like home. There were God-fearing vets who embraced my entire family in fellowship, and I felt right at home,” he shared.
Octavio’s injuries are disarming, and Dave Ford sees God using Octavio to reach veterans with the message of Christ. “G.I.’s (soldiers) don’t tend to talk about their military experiences unless they are in an environment conducive to it,” Dave explained. From the furnishings and military memorabilia to their 100% veteran staff and leaders, FSMO purposefully created an atmosphere to connect with veterans.
“You see the look on their faces when they walk through the door, surrounded by veterans, with Jesus Christ right in the center of it, [and] you see the pressure start to leave,” Dave described. “When they see Octavio, his physical injuries, they tend not to focus on theirs so much. But when they hear him speak, hear his heart, they know they have found a place of belonging and brotherhood. And you know God has orchestrated this ministry.”
When Octavio began attending FSMO in 2015, it was a satellite campus for CCGS’s Bible College. He took his first course on the life of Joshua and was hooked. Continuing Bible classes at FSMO, Octavio felt the Lord preparing him for a leadership role. When the previous director stepped down in 2019, FSMO’s then-Chairman of the Board, Junior Sandoval, asked Octavio to take over. Octavio felt he was being called but asked Junior for time to pray about it with his wife, seeking God’s direction. “Junior called the next morning asking, ‘So what did God say?’ ” Octavio laughed, “I thought he’d give me a couple days!”
Children fill their bags with toys of their choosing. Remaining toys were sent to a Camp Pendleton USMC unit returning from recent deployment.
Dale Goddard (left), assistant pastor of CCGS, CA, and Junior Sandoval, A Hero’s Child coordinator, cheerfully greet Barbara Goddard, the wife of a U.S. Air Force (USAF) veteran.
Inherited with the director’s role was a move to a new location. Previously an old Social Security office on East Holt Boulevard in Ontario, the more than 11,000-square-foot handicapped-accessible building was a perfect fit for their needs—but the down payment was a test of faith. With a strong footprint in the community, FSMO’s Suicide Awareness Car Show draws a large crowd every April. But it was the October 2019 car show that raised the exact amount needed to move into the new facility—officially opening on November 19, 2019.
Shiloh, Fernando Borboa’s daughter, is excited about her Christmas selections.
A Bustling Ministry
Christian Bustamante, FrontSight’s operations manager, meets with each veteran who comes through their doors, assessing their needs and offering assistance. From helping navigate Veteran’s Administration claims and benefits, driving them in the 19-passenger van to hospitals and clinics, offering classes and career skills, or finding temporary housing, FSMO has established itself as a vital asset to veterans in the community.
Every Tuesday evening, one of FSMO’s staff or speakers, all veterans, lead the chapel service while a children’s ministry service takes place. Smaller breakout sessions allow attendees an opportunity to “vent” in a safe place. A women’s service is offered on Monday evenings. The onsite gym, designed to turn injuries into assets, is free to all active-duty military, veterans, and their families, operating Monday through Friday.
Pork Chop Café, named after a longtime veteran’s dog, serves up hot coffee to everyone. “[That veteran], Marc, was a medic and served in Special Forces. [Medics] saved lives, [but Special Forces] had life-taking implications,” said Dave. “He was scarred deeply. FrontSight has become his home away from home.”
Veteran Louie Lopez (USMC) enthusiastically accepts a backpack from Doreth. Every veteran who attended A Hero’s Child banquet received a backpack filled with gifts and literature along with a gift card.
Veterans (left to right) Carlos Valles, USMC; Fernando Borboa, U.S. Army; Eric Lewis, U.S. Army; and Cesar Borboa, U.S. Army, all served in the theater of combat operations during their active-duty terms.
A Hero’s Child: An Annual Gala
FrontSight is involved in numerous outreaches throughout the year, but A Hero’s Child banquet focuses solely on veterans and their families influenced by the ministry. When Octavio came on as director, he was admittedly apprehensive about managing the event. Junior Sandoval allayed his concerns, advising him to just “sit down and enjoy the ride” as they honored the vets and blessed the kids. Octavio discovered that Junior and his family not only cover all costs, but also plan it, perform the worship music, and supply backpacks filled with gifts, literature, and a substantial gift card for each veteran.
Retired USAF Lt Col Dave Ford (left) encourages active-duty Gunnery Sergeant James Ramos. Dave started FrontSight in 2008 under the direction of Raul Ries, senior pastor of CCGS, as an outreach to veterans suffering from traumatic combat experiences.
The gala has grown over its seven-year history, but December 2023 was a hallmark year with more than 200 people turning up and a well-attended conference—their first—earlier that day. The catered event began at 5 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and music playing in the background, followed by a prayer over the evening’s events and meal. The sit-down dinner allowed folks to fellowship over food until the speakers began. Octavio addressed the crowd, sharing the mission and vision of the Outreach. Describing the Old Testament Levitical cities of refuge, he reassured them that FSMO would remain a sanctuary where they could find refuge in Jesus.
“Many lives have benefited and been changed where modern medicine and secular rehab couldn’t help.”
While Pastor Dale Goddard delivered the final message, antsy children eyed the generous display of toys, games, and bikes arrayed across the large stage. As the clock ticked closer to the 8 p.m. toy distribution, each child was given a large trash bag that would hold all the toys of their choosing. When Dale closed his speech, urging, “We have work to do, and we have to get on with it,” a little boy near the stage agreed, announcing, “Yes, please let us get on with it!” With that, toy selection began.
A Foundation Built on Love
FrontSight’s vision to “empower every veteran who comes to FrontSight with tools, resources, and a sense of self-worth and belonging” has built the bond, brotherhood, and camaraderie that draws and keeps veterans and their families in the love of Christ. Others are noticing and asking for help starting FSMOs in their communities. Currently, FrontSights are being established in Texas and Oklahoma, and interest was expressed for New York.
Through years of working with individuals in this program, Pastor Dale Goddard witnessed how FrontSight has affected countless men and women. “Many lives have benefited and been changed where modern medicine and secular rehab couldn’t help.” As a Vietnam veteran, Dale has seen the effects of this ministry in his own life. “It has helped me understand a lot of the pain and things I went through, but has also given me a deeper understanding and empathy for those struggling with their nightmares. This is a great foundation for veterans who are struggling or just looking for fellowship or to build new friendships with like-minded people who have gone through the same difficulties.”
USMC veteran Kevin Escalante displays a sense of joy and gratitude towards FrontSight Ministries. His children, Alexander and Elena, are overjoyed at receiving new bicycles for Christmas and eagerly look forward to riding them.
“As I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples.” John 13:34b-35a
Thank you for reading! If this story inspired you, we invite you to partner with us in continuing the ministry God started 25 years ago. We provide these stories for free, but rely on donations to cover the costs. Your support will help transform lives through the Gospel, both locally and worldwide, including providing digital access to those without a physical copy, such as missionaries. We appreciate your prayerful consideration in joining us to reach more souls for Jesus.
SPONSOR MESSAGE: Calvary Bible Institute is a one-year program designed to equip those who are called to serve the Lord in full-time ministry. Visit CBI's website to learn more about their programs at calvarybi.com
© 2024 Calvary Chapel Magazine (CCM). All rights reserved. Articles or photographs may not be reproduced without the written permission of CCM. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.® Used by permission.