Air Force father faces challenges with strong faith

The Farris Family

KOREA (FBW)—Master Sergeant Jason Farris has made several moves with his family in his 14-year career with the Air Force, and he can name a church that was instrumental in his life in every location. Like all proud fathers he associates years and locations with where his children were born; as a Christian father, he remembers the times and places of his children’s professions of faith.

Farris told Florida Baptist Witness he counts his family—wife, Hilary and three children—as the blessings for which he is most thankful.

“God has blessed me be­yond imagination with my family,” he said. “My children love God and love church, and I am extremely thankful that God has given them a thirst to want to be with Him.”

Farris considers his present assignment in Korea his most difficult because he is away from his family. In the air transportation career field, Farris loads cargo and passengers on aircraft and completes the necessary documentation for each mission.

As a Christian, he has hope and “a different outlook” that helps him “face and overcome the challenges.”

He also finds opportunities to minister to his fellow airmen while accomplishing his work. Recently, a co-worker’s son was rushed to the hospital with stomach problems. He prayed with his co-worker and eased his anxiety. The man’s son was able to leave the hospital the next day.

FARRIS

“I believe the Holy Spirit can use a godly life to reach others,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, I fail often, but still I strive to live in that manner.”

Farris grew up in a Christian home in Lebanon, Ky., where he was “surrounded by Christian role models.”

“Mom always made sure I was in church and my grandparents truly lived their lives with Jesus as the main focus,” he said.

Farris made a profession of faith as a child, and stayed faithful in Muldraugh Hill Baptist Church through high school. He admits to “drifting away” during high school when Jesus was no longer “first in [his] life.” When he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, he re-dedicated his life to Christ at Anchorage Baptist Temple in 2002. It was also where his son, Clay, now 12, made his profession of faith, the proud father made sure to add.

Only a few months later, the family moved to Fort Walton Beach, where they found a loving church family at First Baptist Church, he said, and his second child, Shelby, made a profession of faith and was baptized.

Farris praised his wife for her godly influence on Clay, Shelby and five-year-old, daughter, Emma Grace.

“For me it’s easy to see the Holy Spirit working in Hilary, and using her to reach others,” Farris said.

Whether or not his children choose to follow their father into the military, Farris offers the following advice: “Never lose sight of Jesus. Base your decisions on what you know is right and what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do, and God will take care of the rest.”