JUPITER FARMS, FLORIDA – Beacon Baptist Church continued Missions Month 2025 on October 12 by welcoming Jason and Carrie Windnagle, who are currently missionaries on deputation to the military in South Korea.

The Windnagles are a family of four consisting of Jason, Carrie, and their two small children, Henry (4 years), and Juliet (17 months). Jason shared that his son loves talking and he loves music, and if he saw you carrying an instrument, he was likely to run up and want to talk to you. Juliet, on the other hand, loves to get into mischief. As Jason put it, “She loves to get into everything, and I do mean everything!”

Jason is currently serving with the United States Air Force, and has been serving the last 14 years. Six of those years were active duty (2012-2018). Then in 2018, the Lord called the Windnagles into full-time military missions, so Jason switched to the Air Force Reserves and used funding from the GI Bill to attend Ambassador Baptist College.

Jason grew up in a Christian home and received salvation at the age of 10 in his grandfather’s church. Years later, inspired by a visiting evangelist, Jason enrolled in a one-year Bible program in Montana. Afterward, still struggling to find a direction in life and unwilling to wait on the Lord’s will, he opted to pursue a career in forestry. Unfortunately, that proved less than fruitful – and so with much student debt, he ended up moving back home with his parents. His mother – less than enthusiastic about the idea of him moving home –  prompted him to start seeking out military recruiters.

Ultimately, he joined the Air Force, in large part because they provided funding to help him pay off his student debt. Despite the purpose and direction a career in the military can provide, something was still missing. As Jason shared via his ministry video, “Service offers an answer to some of life’s deepest motivations, but even in this high calling, military service alone is unable to provide the spiritual fulfillment which only Christ can bring.” The video went on to paraphrase the words of King Solomon, “Life apart from God is simply vanity.”

Currently, the Windnagles have been called to military missions in South Korea. Specifically, they intend to work near Kunsan Air Force Base where the 8th Fighter Squadron, among the Air Force’s most vital units, is stationed. Annually, 2,800 U.S. military members and civilians are stationed here to complete a one-year tour. Unfortunately, during the tour family members must remain behind – opening up huge challenges and the risk of spiritual warfare for all involved.

Though Jason remains grateful for the Christian upbringing he enjoyed, his time in the military has shown him this is not the case for most people. Throughout his active duty career he witnessed any number of sins consuming his fellow servicemen. Suicide awareness and prevention was especially a hot topic. Jason learned this firsthand when, during his first assignment, a young recruit just down the hall from him committed suicide.

As Jason put it, “Although I joined the military to be a patriot and to serve my country, as a Christian, I found my faith weakening under the pressures of a very secular environment.” This reality really hit home when he was sent to Kunsan Air Force Base. However, in His providence, the Lord provided a true home away from home in Haven Baptist Church. God began to grow Jason through the ministry at Haven Baptist, and “…Pastor Taylor poured into me and other service men as I have never experienced before.”

It was at Haven that God began to burden Jason for military missions and also subsequently brought his future wife Carrie into his life. Carrie, who responded to the Gospel at the age of four during family devotions and surrendered her life to God as a young teen, later studied at Pensacola Christian College to prepare for service. Though she had served in a military ministry in her home church and had a burden for military outreach, God first sent her to teach English in a South Korean Christian school.

From 2005 to 2016, Carrie had the privilege to serve with a local church planter at Faith Baptist Church in Iksan, South Korea. During this time, God opened the door for Carrie to gain permanent residency in South Korea.

After getting married, Jason and Carrie spent their first year of marriage serving at the Haven, helping soldiers get plugged into the ministry. It was during this time of service that the Lord formally called them to military missions in South Korea. Jason enrolled in Ambassador Baptist College to prepare for the ministry. Their goal was to continue their service at Haven in a more official way. As their pastor put it, “The purpose of the Haven is to train soldiers for their next ministry.” And the Windnagles had certainly found theirs!

When Carrie was asked what she would be doing in South Korea, she jokingly said, “Cooking!” However, she added that of the soldiers who come to the Haven, “…ministering to their physical needs will play a big role as we seek to become their family and using that time to disciple them.”

Jason and Carrie will be teaching Bible studies for men and women. Friday nights especially have become a literal haven at the Haven where military nightlife is replaced by Bible study and scripture memorization. Ultimately, “…the Haven seeks to encourage everyone to participate in Christian service.” As they anticipate their renewed service in South Korea, the Windnagles covet the prayers of all who know about the ministry of the Haven. They also asked anyone willing to consider financially supporting their ministry. Currently 45% of their support has already been raised.

Sadly, Kunsan Air Force Base is known as the “party base,” and the arrival and departure of recruits is often celebrated by trying to get the newcomers intoxicated. In fact, every unit on the base has its own bar. In many cases, life is spent just looking forward to one’s next drink of alcohol. It was this utter lack of true hope among so many of the military members that God used to put a burden on Jason’s heart to share the Gospel with them. As Jason put it, “…our military men and women, they really need the Gospel. And they are a tough group to reach as well…They think they’re okay. They think they have everything. They think they’ve arrived…”

An added complication is that military chapels often either appoint Catholic chaplains or Protestant chaplains who do not actually preach the Gospel. This is one of the main reasons the Windnagles have chosen to serve at Haven Baptist Church, separate from the chaplaincy program. Haven remains the only English-speaking, Gospel-preaching church in the city of Kunsan. The next closest such church is two-and-a-half hours away on Osan Air Force Base. They will be training under Pastor Taylor and ultimately take his place after his retirement. The Windnagles hope to be completely moved back to Kunsan by the end of next year. Thanks to Carrie’s already established permanent residency, they are anticipating few difficulties in the relocation process.

During the Q & A time, Jason also shared that South Korea has some of the largest churches in the world, but also some of the largest cult groups in the world. Cult members have actually come to Haven to spy out and disrupt the ministry. Further complicating the ministry is the fact that proselytizing is not specifically allowed on the base, so Haven relies on military members who are already attending the church to invite new recruits to services at the church. They also have opportunities to interact with the soldiers when they are off base.

The story of Jason and Carrie Windnagle is a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness and the transforming call to serve where the need is greatest. What began as a military career has become a mission field, as the Windnagles now carry the light of Christ into one of the darkest and most spiritually neglected places among America’s servicemen and women. At Haven Baptist Church in South Korea, they are standing in the gap—offering truth, discipleship, and genuine Christian fellowship to those far from home. Their burden reminds us that even on distant shores, God is still at work, drawing hearts to Himself and using His people to bring hope where it’s least expected. As they press forward in obedience, may we be faithful to lift them in prayer and support, trusting that the same God who called them will continue to provide, protect, and bless their ministry for His glory.