About

Who Am I?

I grew up in a Christian home but passively rejected the faith in my teenage years. The week of my 20th birthday God saved me from a path that was deceptively headed for destruction. Since then, life’s been quite a journey.

I served more than 10 years on active duty in the Marine Corps deploying to Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, and a few other places along the way. I joined in the wake of 9/11/2001, left active duty in 2013, and retired from the reserves in March of 2023.

Just as my career in the Marines was starting to hit its stride, God surprisingly called me out of active duty service to start a church in Jacksonville, NC near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. I still serve as one of the pastors of that church and I serve as the Executive Director of a family of multiplying churches in military communities called The Praetorian Project.

Along the way, my amazing wife, Kelli, and I found out that we were unable to have children the old fashion way. Soon after learning that news, God led us to adopt a sibling group of 3 toddlers all at once (while I was on active duty). Then, as I was church planting, we adopted a teenage daughter. Lastly, we adopted an 18 month old daughter. Five adopted kids, through three adoptions, while in the military, or while planting a church. Like I said, life’s been quite a journey.

Why do I write?

I’ve enjoyed writing for a long time, but I was never quite sure when or how to start writing in a more disciplined way. It has recently become clear to me that now is the time to begin.

I write to help people. I want to help people navigate the Christian Life with practical help. I want to specifically help Christian military service members and their immediate families. And I’m sure I’ll write about adoption and family along the way.

I assume most of you who will read my writing will be 18-30 year olds- many of you are serving in the military or you are the immediate family of a service member. I assume many of you will be first generation Christians or people who are seriously interested in exploring Christianity for yourself.

I pray that my writing is helpful.

Thank you for stopping by,

I love you guys,

Brian O’Day