The Editor and Chief, Don Bland, is no ordinary grandfather figure. He’s an aging Vietnam veteran whose life story stretches across decades of service and innovation. After returning stateside, Don built a thriving career in technology, working first in the early days of mainframe computing and eventually transitioning to web-based applications as the world went digital. Over those many years, Don stayed ahead of the tech curve, shaping projects that ranged from early software development to cloud solutions.
But through all the industry shifts and corporate ladder-climbing, something else tugged at his heart: his faith. From the humid jungles of Southeast Asia to the hectic demands of Silicon Valley, Don’s belief in the transformative power of the Gospel remained a steady anchor. Now, stepping into his well-earned retirement, Don refuses to let age or conventional expectations define him. He has a different mission—using cutting-edge technology to spread the Good News.
With a seasoned perspective that only comes from witnessing the best and worst of human nature, Don sees a world that’s more connected than ever. He envisions online ministries that go beyond prerecorded sermons and social media posts. Interactive Bible study groups, real-time prayer gatherings, and digital discipleship resources are just a few of the ideas on his ever-growing list. He’s deeply passionate about bringing Scripture to people who might never have found it otherwise, whether they’re scrolling through a social feed at an airport lounge or downloading a study app in a rural community.
When Don sits down to strategize, it’s as though his Vietnam-era resilience and modern-day technological fluency converge. He knows firsthand that life can be fragile, and he believes no moment should be wasted in sharing God’s message of hope. Friends and family sometimes joke that Don has spent more time behind a computer than in front of a group of people. He simply smiles, understanding that the digital world has become a new frontier for reaching hearts and minds.
Now, with a mixture of humility and unwavering determination, Don invites others to join him in this new phase of his life’s work. He envisions tech-savvy believers launching mobile apps for daily devotionals, livestreaming small-group sessions to remote corners of the planet, and using virtual platforms to foster authentic community. For Don, it’s not about replacing the in-person fellowship of a local church, but rather enhancing and extending it—casting a net wide enough to bring in even the most distant souls.
At the crossroads of past and future, Don Bland’s story offers a powerful testimony: faith can adapt without losing its essence, and technology can be a conduit for truth and transformation. He stands as living proof that God’s Word can reach people in places we never dreamed possible—if we only dare to click “go live.”
The Mountain Veteran Ministries website will be a collection of methods to reach out to all people of faith and people searching for faith by using livestreaming, remote interactive Bible study groups, Podcasts, Youtube, Facebook and other forms of social media.
Don is an ordained minister, church family member and Elder in Wy’East Community Church in Odell and Pine Grove Oregon. Our Pastor, Doug Massingill is a retired Air Force veteran who has become a passionate voice for Jesus in our little country church community. His podcasts and sermons will be posted on a regular basis. For more information about Wy’East Community Church click here.
Sermons are livestreamed on Youtube and Facebook under Wy’East Community Church on Sunday at 10:00am
This is a constant work in progress and is just the beginning.