Sole Survivor of Humvee Explosion Baptised After Hearing the Gospel at Veterans’ Outreach

Disabled Army veteran Bobby Henline, the sole survivor of an IED attack that killed four fellow soldiers, has been baptised in Kentucky after becoming a Christian through a veterans’ outreach programme.

Henline was baptised in the Green River near Greensburg on Sunday, 20 September, with several men helping him into and out of the water because of injuries and extensive skin grafts from the attack that nearly killed him.

The former Army Staff Sergeant was serving his fourth combat tour in Iraq on 7 April 2007 when an improvised explosive device detonated beneath his Humvee. The four other soldiers travelling in the vehicle were killed.

Henline suffered burns over roughly 40% of his body, including severe burns to his head and face. He spent months receiving treatment and has undergone dozens of surgeries and reconstructive procedures.

After his recovery, Henline became a stand-up comedian and motivational speaker, frequently sharing his experiences with veterans, burn survivors and others dealing with serious injuries.

His path to baptism began after he moved to Greensburg and attended a “Man to Man” veterans’ outreach organised by Greensburg Baptist Church.

Pastor Kenny Craig invited Henline to perform a clean comedy routine at the event. Professional fisherman Clay Dyer, who was born without lower limbs and with only a partial arm, was the featured speaker.

Henline attended expecting that he might find material for his comedy. Instead, he heard the Gospel.

Craig said Henline responded to the message and the two prayed together. The pastor subsequently began discipling him as Henline prepared for baptism.

Henline wanted the baptism to take place publicly in the Green River. Greensburg Baptist evangelism pastor Greg Eastes joined him in the water, while three other men assisted because of Henline’s physical condition.

Henline also asked Craig to preach the Gospel before the baptism. He expected around 50 friends who did not know Christ to attend and wanted them to hear the Christian message.

Another man, Lee Rouse, travelled from Indiana to be baptised alongside Henline after being encouraged by his story. Rouse had become a Christian at 15 but had never been baptised.

For Henline, the baptism comes nearly two decades after the explosion that changed his life and follows years spent speaking publicly about survival, recovery and his experiences after war.

Sources

• Kentucky Today / The Baptist Paper
• Bobby Henline — Official website