Montreat Beginnings
Kurt grew up in Asheville and attended high school at North Buncombe in Weaverville. During his senior year there, a representative from the Admissions Office came and introduced him to Montreat College. Desiring to stay close to home, Kurt began attending Montreat in 1991 majoring in Bible and Religion. Studying under professors such as Drs. Gary and Marlene VanBrocklin and Dr. Darwin Glassford, Kurt received an education that developed his Christian worldview. He graduated in 2001.
Montreat’s mission statement reads: “Christ-Centered, Student-Focused, Service-Driven: Equipping agents of transformation, renewal, and reconciliation.” Since graduating, Kurt has been a vivid living illustration of what it means to live a “service-driven” life. Kurt has served in vocational youth ministry, has held various jobs in the service industry, and desires to serve in his home church in various capacities. But his ultimate willingness to serve revealed itself when the war in Iraq broke out in March, 2003. Kurt was working for Hanover Clock, Inc. at the time. Feeling a sense of urgency and responsibility, he began to pray about joining the Army. In October 2004, Kurt enlisted.
Life in The Service
Kurt was deployed to Iraq for his first tour in November, 2005. While there, he served as a Petroleum Supply Specialist, operating fuel tankers and combo trucks. No army can run without fuel. Delivering fuel, however, was not the highlight of his first tour of duty overseas; rather, it was meeting his soon-to-be wife, Kim. Kim and Kurt began writing letters to each other as a result of being connected through a Christian dating website. Through early written correspondence and increasingly frequent phone calls, they began to find their lives in ‘harmony’ with each other. When Kurt returned to Ft. Hood in November, 2006, he began to make the three hour weekend trip to Dallas to see his newfound love. After nine months of dating, on August 25, 2007, Kim and Kurt became “The Grohmans.” Being a newly married man, Kurt’s second deployment was much more difficult than his first, but it also allowed him to experience an intensely different kind of service. This time, Kurt would serve as a Chaplain’s Assistant.
From what I had grown to know about Kurt in the short time I spent with him on the phone, I was not surprised when he told me that Chaplain’s Assistant was a position that he had hoped for. Despite my limited knowledge of the military, it seemed to me to be a perfect fit for this genuine, humble servant. From the job description on goarmy.com, it reads:
“Chaplain’s Assistants provide much-needed support to the Chaplains during missions and everyday activities.”
When we use our gifts as God has apportioned them, not only do we thrive in our passions, but others are blessed in great measure.
I have no doubt that countless families were blessed by a program called “United through Reading,” in which Kurt was actively involved. In this program, Kurt would set up a camcorder in a room with a selection of children’s books, so enlisted mommies and daddies could record themselves reading bedtime stories to their sons and daughters back home. Soldiers would come and Kurt would train them how to use the camera. As he exited and shut the door behind him, these far-removed parents could press “record” and return home for a brief few moments, escaping the desert and wrapping their hearts around their little ones back home. The DVD and the children’s book would then be mailed to their families back home, where their precious little ones could tear open a package to “see” mom and dad, be comforted by the familiar voice, and fall asleep with the warmth and tender “touch” only a parent can provide. These kids will probably never meet Kurt Grohman, but Kurt Grohman has loved these kids by his service.
The Service Continues…
There is, of course, a vital place for service done in the spotlight, but isn’t it comforting for many of us that Jesus seems to emphasize and exalt those engaged in humble, unrecognized service?
“And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’” – Mark 9:35
Kurt is home now. His time in the service will end on September 18th, 2009. It comes as no surprise that Kurt is looking forward to finding a job in the service industry and getting more involved serving with his wife at their local church. I have no doubt that his service will continue to touch those around him. I also have no doubt that, in due time, he will be exalted for his service.
As I sit at my desk and reflect on my short time on the phone with Kurt, I’m thankful.
I’m thankful that Kurt fostered a longing in me to see my Grandpa.
I’m thankful that Kurt challenged me to consider my own motives in serving.
I’m thankful that Kurt has a reward being held for him.
I’m thankful, Kurt, for your service.