FAYETTEVILLE, NC -- While thousands of soldiers are deployed overseas, the pastor at Manna Church in Fayetteville is praying for them and their families.

Pastor Jonathan Fletcher says 70 percent of the church family is associated with the military. He has encouraged soldiers and their loved ones to form small groups as a support system during times like this. The group can then step in and help military spouses who need help with their kids or provide emotional support.

"So we pray as a church for the military and we also encourage the people who are in the military who are going to be deployed or who are going through things to build what we call a combat coverage team," Fletcher said. "That's a group of people who will pray for them, walk with them, support them while they're deployed."

The church says they'll continue to offer prayer, provide community support, and look for additional resources on Fort Bragg.