The Welcome Home Initiative

For the Men, Women & Families of Our Armed Forces

A ministry of Christ the King Spiritual Life Center and the Episcopal Diocese of Albany.

Download the WHI Brochure

Download WHI Invitation

[Meet the WHI Team and Read the Latest News]

See "Recent News" on this past Nov 2011 WHI retreat.
Thanks in part to the Post Star News Paper, Glens Falls, NY!

Mission Statement

Our goal is to minister practically and prayerfully
to members of the Armed Forces and their families,
providing support and resources
to help them heal and thrive.

An Outline of Our Mission

To show our appreciation for the men, women, and families serving in the Armed Forces.

To help those who have suffered trauma in combat, be it physical, psychological, or spiritual, by providing ministry and resources for health and healing.

To preserve the confidentiality of every person.

To connect combat veterans with appropriate specialist agencies and resources including:

• Combat stress and trauma experts
• Critical incident debrief specialists
• Marriage and family life counselors
• Suicide prevention counselors
• Prayer teams

What We Offer

A 3-5 Day Retreat for Members of the Armed Forces and Their Families

• Talks by Veterans and Trauma Specialists
• Discussion Groups
• Opportunities for Reflection and Healing Prayer
• 600 Beautiful Acres for Recreation and Relaxation
• Handicapped-Accessible Facilities
• Optional Marriage & Family Counseling

To learn more about the Welcome Home Initiative, contact Sandra at whi@ctkcenter.org or call Christ the King at 518-692-9550 x 201

A letter from the wife of a veteran....
(Her husband attend the recent Welcome Home Inititaive Retreat Program..... Nov. 2010)

   I want to personally thank you and EVERYONE involved for this week's retreat for our veterans and active service people.  I had only found out about my husband's difficult time in Viet Nam in the last 3-4 years.  My husband had taken his sargeant's advice and really buried things deep.  He had called me on Sunday morning that he was not feeling good.  He had told me about the beautiful quilt that was given to him and I asked if he had slept under it.  He said no and I told him that I was sure that the quilt had been prayed over and to sleep under it.  He called me later after a nap and was feeling soooo much better.  God had him covered in more ways than one.
    He came home early Thursday morning.  He was so happy and free that neither of us wanted to go to sleep.  I wanted to hear everything and he wanted to tell everything.  He was, and is, so very grateful for the acceptance he found there.  He is normally a very shy man but last night he stated to me that he woud be more than ready to get up in front of church and testify as to his experiences.  When I first learned of his ordeal, I was just sitting there listening.  When MJ stated he didn't know how he was able to do what he did because he had no training, I saw a picture of this young man (boy really) bending over a wounded friend with others lying around.  I saw an angel over him guiding his hands.  I saw other angels flying between them and the mortars and shells: protecting them all.  If I were an artist, the very first thing I would do is to draw the scene I that I saw.
     God has worked miracles in his life over the last 3-4 years.  He wants MJ (and all His children) to be free.  Once again, thanks for everyone doing this wonderful work of God.  Please pass this along to anyone that you feel would benefit from it.  Also, please let us know of any future retreats.  He wants to come again and bring me with him.

With God's Blessings to All,
MS