We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brady Wright a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brady, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
“I’m a combat veteran of the Iraq War, and I served as a combat infantryman. That experience shaped who I am at my core. In combat, you learn very quickly how to operate under pressure, how to keep moving forward when things are uncertain, and how to rely on discipline, purpose, and the people beside you.
But my resilience didn’t come only from war — it was forged in everything that came after. Transitioning back to civilian life, facing personal challenges, setbacks, and moments where there was no clear path forward taught me how to adapt, rebuild, and keep going. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about never struggling; it’s about choosing to stand back up, learn from hardship, and move forward with purpose.
That lived experience is what drives my work today. I don’t just talk about resilience — I’ve had to live it. And that’s why I’m committed to serving veterans, because I understand firsthand what it takes to rebuild a life after service and adversity.”
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Fire Mission Ministries is a nonprofit founded by my wife, Ashlyn, and me to help address veteran homelessness and connect veterans with the resources they need to rebuild their lives. What makes this work so meaningful is the direct impact we see every day — real people, real change, and real restoration.
We operate a 30-bedroom transitional housing complex in rural Kentucky, serving veterans who often fall through the cracks. Through partnerships with organizations across the country, we support veterans facing challenges such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST), and addiction, meeting them where they are and helping restore dignity and purpose.
We’re also expanding our reach. On June 13, we’re hosting a benefit concert at Gallrein Farms, headlined by JD Shelburne, to help fund our veteran programs. Tickets can be purchased by visiting our Facebook page. At the same time, Fire Mission is undergoing a rebrand to Fire Mission Veteran Services to better reach a broader audience and strengthen our impact. We’re supported by an incredible, mission-driven Board of Directors, and we’re launching a new website in January 2026 to further connect supporters, partners, and veterans in need.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
First and foremost is my faith in Jesus Christ. Everything I do is rooted in His calling on my life to serve veterans, and I know none of this work is possible without Him. In seasons of uncertainty, loss, and challenge, my faith has been the foundation that kept me moving forward. My advice to those early in their journey is to stay grounded in what gives you purpose — for me, that’s faith — and let it guide your decisions, even when the path isn’t clear.
Second is resilience. My experience as a combat infantryman, combined with life after service, taught me how to endure hardship and grow through adversity. I’d encourage others not to fear struggle, but to allow it to shape discipline, character, and clarity.
Third is servant leadership. Real leadership is about humility, presence, and putting others first. Whether in ministry or any profession, lasting impact comes from being willing to serve consistently, listen deeply, and walk alongside people rather than above them.
Together, these qualities continue to shape my work today, reminding me that purpose-driven service, grounded in faith and perseverance, is how meaningful change happens.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Our ideal client at Fire Missions is any veteran who is homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of support. We serve veterans from across the country — local, in-state, or out-of-state — and all of our programs are completely free to the veterans we serve.
To be eligible for housing, veterans must be able to provide proof of service or a DD-214, have any discharge status other than dishonorable, and not be listed on any registry. While we are unable to house veterans who do not meet these criteria, we still work to connect them with appropriate resources and referrals, because our mission is to help every veteran who reaches out.
We regularly work with veterans facing addiction, homelessness, PTSD, mental health challenges, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and military sexual trauma (MST). Veterans interested in our program can visit www.firemissions.org
to complete a pre-application online or call us directly at 719-354-9203 to learn more about becoming part of our program.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.firemissions.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17UWJzm7KN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kentuckyveterans
- Other: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-our-mission-of-helping-veterans
Image Credits
#1 Left Row-Fire Missions is logo
#2 Right row -Brady Wright, Steven Ebbs (VFW Commander Post #1179)
#3 2nd row Left-Brady Wright, Richard Mingie (puppy Chloe)
#4 2nd row Right- Josh Berkley, Brady Wright, Jennifer Decker, Aaron Garofola (President Fire Mission)
#5 3rd left row- Jon Park, Brady Wright, Ray Leathers
#6 3rd Right row- Brady Wright
#7 4th left row- Brady Wright, Marla Kiser, Tourism Podcast
#8 4th right row- Brady Wright
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
