This month, Jay Seegert explains what it means to defend the Christian worldview, the significance of addressing the existential questions, and how the Bible ought to be our key source for these conversations.
A round-up of OCF Ministry News items from Connected newsletter.
This month’s special episode enables you to listen to the Global Town Hall, which OCF hosted on 8 February at its Home Office in Colorado Springs, Colo., and over Zoom for members around the world.
Lt Col Scott and Lisa Bedrosian, USAF (Ret.), recount some of their cherished memories made at White Sulphur Springs and share how God has used this special home away from home in their lives.
Despite the thousands of guests who have been blessed and refreshed over the years, many OCF members have never attended a Conference Center or are unaware of what they have to offer.
CAPT Terry Wichert, USN (Ret.), shares a story about the power of persevering prayer; OCF Submarine Community Coordinator Will Parker talks about balancing OCF and local church involvement; and Courtney Burdick shares a roundup of OCF ministry news.
In this bonus episode, Josh, Beth, and Corrie explore the challenges of bitterness and resentment in military marriages, highlighting the influence of faith, perspective shifts, and community support.
Beth Runkle and Corrie Reeter talk about how to overcome bitterness and resentment in your military marriage; OCF Director of ROTC Ministry Larry Sherbondy talks about time commitments to starting an OCF ROTC group; and Courtney Burdick shares a roundup of OCF ministry news.
A round-up of OCF Ministry News items from Connected newsletter.
Andy MacLean shares how the hand of God smoothed out his paths and left what he calls five fingerprints that directed him to where he is today and strengthened his faith along the way.
Col PK Carlton, USAF (Ret.), talks about how to evangelize while serving in uniform; OCF Assistant Director of Operations Ryan Wainwright talks about OCF membership number trends, how to join OCF, and more; and Josh Jackson shares a roundup of OCF ministry news.
In this bonus episode, COL Andy MacLean, USA (Ret.), the coordinator for Latin America at the Association for Christian Conferences, Teaching and Services, discusses the mission of ACCTS and its work in developing Christian leaders in the armed forces worldwide.
COL Andy MacLean, USA (Ret.), talks about global military ministry through ACCTS; OCF Regional Coordinators Steve and Miriam Shambach answers questions about how retirees can get involved with OCF even if they don't live near a military installation; and Courtney Burdick shares a roundup of OCF ministry news.
In this bonus episode, get the conversation in its entirety as CH Michael Will talks about why we experience hardship and suffering as believers.
CH Michael Will talks about why we experience hardship and suffering as believers; TSgt Ryan Padgett answers questions about whether OCF is for enlisted; and Courtney Burdick shares a roundup of OCF ministry news.
Jeff Hurlbert talks about the importance of biblical humility for Christian military leaders; CH Doug Ball answers questions about challenges faced by Christian military chaplains; and Courtney Taylor shares a roundup of OCF ministry news.
Pete Peterson talks about having a Biblical approach to a career transition; Dale Holland answers questions about being an OCF Local Leader; and Courtney Taylor shares a roundup of OCF ministry news.
Jim and Melanie Wamhoff are serving as Area Coordinators for the greater Omaha, Nebraska area. They were first introduced to OCF separately while they were in college.
In this special episode of OCF Crosspoint, you’re going to hear audio from the inaugural OCF Global Town Hall, which was broadcasted live on 10 February from the new Home Office in Colorado Springs, Colo.
EQ gives us the ability to see stuff that we normally wouldn’t as a leader. And for me as a leader, do I want to make a decision at night with no illumination and no NODs? Emotional intelligence is the NODs.
Today, you’ll hear audio from the conclusion of a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon’s Aspentime Retreat.
Today, you’ll hear audio from part 2 of a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon’s Aspentime Retreat.
Today, you’ll hear audio from part 1 of a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon’s Aspentime Retreat.
How do you know if you are a good leader? Pulling from decades of experience in enlisted and commissioned roles, Col Jassen Bluto, USAF (Ret.), shares three leadership principles–trust, respect, and caring–that he believes answer that question.
In this episode, Noble Gibbens defines emotional intelligence (EQ), shares experiences with leadership in and out of the military context, talks about David and other biblical examples of emotional intelligence, and more.
Proverbs 16:3 says to “commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” This is God’s invitation for us to transfer our ideas, plans, and wants to Him so that He can make our plans firm. This is also the essence of OCF’s Pray-Discover-Obey model, which emphasizes prayer first, planning second, and obedient action third.
A round-up of OCF Ministry News items from Connected newsletter.
This year’s annual Colorado Springs OCF community-area picnic was more than just a gathering for food and fellowship; it was also a celebration of OCF’s move from its 40-year residence outside Denver to its new location in Colorado Springs.
So many conversations within the OCF community circle back to this question: How ought Christians in the military integrate their faith and profession? Rich Smith unpacks this question in today's episode.
Ricky Preciado shares what he’s learned about servant leadership via his work with Chick-fil-a and recaps his visit with USS Somerset OCF.
What is resilience? Is there a correlation between resilience and the prevalence of suicide in the military? How do you know if you’ve become resilient? Col Tim Hale, USAF (Ret.), joins Crosspoint to address these and other questions.
What impact does pornography addiction have on the rest of the family? Do kids experience a similar type of trauma when they learn parents struggle with a problematic sexual behavior? How should parents respond if and when they discover their children are viewing pornography?
Dr. Joy Skarka shares her own story with pornography addiction and how God turned a source of brokenness, pain, and trauma into a passion through which she helps other women navigate similar struggles.
In part 4 of this series with Brent and Nicole Breining, we break down the three parts of addiction recovery and address why we can feel so discouraged by the time and effort required to heal, the value of understanding the nature of addiction regardless of personal experience, and the importance of addressing these sin struggles for the purpose of restoration rather than rejection.
In part 3 of this series with Brent and Nicole Breining, we discuss how the symptoms and effects of betrayal trauma present uniquely in different individuals, then Brent and Nicole share their personal experiences with betrayal trauma.
In part 2 of this series with Brent and Nicole Breining, we discuss statistics and real-world case studies regarding the pornography industry that reveal the magnitude of its harmful effects on society and on individuals alike.
Having reached a breaking point in their marriage in 2012 and recovered since then by God’s grace, Brent and Nicole talk about why that addiction placed such a strain on their marriage, how God worked through accountability partners in their healing process, and more.
Who am I? This question is foundational for all believers, because when we are saved by Jesus, we become a new person. Understanding the characteristics of our new nature is an ongoing process in living a life that reveals Jesus to the world.
For the finale of our three-part series on leadership, Scott, Bruce, and Gwyn discuss how to navigate matters of conscience–circumstances where your job and your faith seem to be at odds.
One of the more common misconceptions about retiring from or transitioning out of the military is that “it’s just another PCS” and won’t be that difficult.
Our panel discusses failure and how to deal with it as a leader in the high-stakes military profession. As my guest Bruce Fister points out, “We’re all going to fail at one point … But you have to deal with it because otherwise no one is going to learn from it.”
If left unchecked, compassion fatigue can lead to discouragement, depression, and a lack of pastoral identity among our chaplains.
Our panel discusses how leaders can approach employing God’s Word effectively, integrating the calling to serve in uniform and the calling to serve the Lord, and leading in times of crisis. The cornerstone of being an effective leader who can do these three things well, they assert, is being a leader of character.
Two Navy lieutenants discuss the challenges of the unique environment aboard a submarine, the challenges of beginning and maintaining a small group Bible study, and practical applications for similarly isolated environments.
His service as a Marine and the years to follow have given Jeremy Stalnecker opportunities to deal with and heal from his own trauma, resulting in a passion for helping others, particularly within the military community, do the same.
A man on a mission in this episode to share how God has healed him from “PTSD, trauma, moral injury, habitual sin,” Carl Crabtree shares about his experiences as a foster-to-adopt kid and onward.
LT Jonathan Gentry, CHC, USN, discusses the seemingly simple concept of trusting God, specifically within the context of Jonathan’s calling to the ministry and to the military.
In this episode of OCF Crosspoint, JB Kump shares what has made small groups so impactful in his own life, practical tips for those interested in leading small groups, how his passion for those local fellowships led to his current post-military career, and more.
Today’s conversation explores a predominant topic of discussion among cadets and college students across the country today: anxiety. CH(COL) Bob Phillips, USA (Ret.), shares how he uses relationships and group Bible studies to address anxiety and point cadets back to Christ.
To say race relations is a complex issue is an understatement, and every facet of this topic cannot be covered in just one episode. So, we started here: How do I minister to the person in front of me who’s hurting from an ethnic or cultural incident?
Capt Ryan McCary, ANG, recounts his own failures to share his faith and how the Lord changed Him through those experiences, then he offers practical steps on how to be bold in your faith today.
What does it look like to integrate faith and profession? For some people, that can perhaps be an ambiguous topic. Maj Chris Reardon, USMC, unpacks what that looks like for him as a Marine and shares some practical application.
No matter your age or location, stand up, stand firm, shoulder to shoulder with your brothers and sisters, and say, “Here am I, send me!”
OCF Ministry News items from Connected newsletter.
Small group Bible studies have been part of the DNA of OCF since the ministry began in 1943. Within these small groups, there is spiritual growth, an increased understanding of what it means to be a Christian, and a resilience developed for all of life—especially life within the military.
“An enduring and faithful pursuit in the face of affliction.” That’s how ENS Nelson Chiaravallotti, USN, defines perseverance. In this episode, Nelson also talks about leadership lessons he learned during his time at A&M Galveston and reflects on the sadness and loss of two classmates, one by suicide.
Liliane talks about the significance of the 9/11 attacks on her Army career, how she struggled with comparing herself to others, and how trauma from a molestation as a child had a profound impact on her life before she followed that gentle nudging from God to get help and healing.
Have you ever been in a situation where it seemed like God was using affliction to draw you to Him? In the face of a chronic illness that seems to have no end, Karis Meier chooses to respond in this way—give thanks.
Some 2,500 years after the time of the prophet Habakkuk, Lt Col Ron Bracy, USAF (Ret.), found himself asking the same question as the Old Testament prophet: “How long, O Lord, will I call and you will not hear me?”
In this episode, Amanda concludes her story by sharing how God began to radically heal her heart and change her life through a series of events.
OCF Ministry News items from Connected newsletter.
Capt Amanda Yashack, USAFR, talks about how her life spiraled out of control when she was in ROTC, largely as a result of the trauma she experienced after a sexual assault, and then how that led to burnout, compartmentalizing her pain, and as she calls it…rock bottom.
LT Sam Alexander, USN, gives a peek into submarine culture, how isolation can have an impact on one's faith, and the importance of developing a spiritual support system or a mentoring relationship.
Today you're going to hear from LT Hannah Johnson, USN, as she talks about her struggles with spiritual perfectionism, and as she says, the fear of being a fraud or being found out.
As we continue this multi-episode focus on the topic of identity, you’re going to hear from LT Grant Johnson, USN, as he shares his story of dreaming to be a jet pilot, only to come up short.
Lynda Johnson's identity was shaken after she was told she couldn’t run anymore unless she wanted to risk more damage to her health. Today, she shares her story of military life at the intersection of faith, family, and profession.
Christian athlete and Marine aviator are two things first lieutenant Aaron Zimmerman wanted to be known for. However, a medical diagnosis would ground his aspirations of being a Marine aviator and raise questions about where he was placing his identity.
Chris shares her story of military life at the intersection of faith, family, and profession by telling the story of her daughter, Betsy, and offering insights on life as a Gold Star Mother.
OCF Ministry News items from Connected newsletter.
Capt Rico Lane, USAF, shares his story, which includes three primary themes: fatherhood, faith, and family—specifically how God used the Bible verse text messages of a grandfather to begin changing Rico’s life.
Becky’s story is one of battling through anxiety and self-worth. It’s a story that tells of her journey to be in a right relationship with her Heavenly Father even when it seems like life sometimes has more valleys than mountaintops, even when it seems like God just doesn’t care.
According to the Barna Group, a market research firm specializing in studying religious beliefs and behavior, as of 2015 only 17% of practicing Christians said they meet regularly with a spiritual mentor.
(Season 2, Episode 1) In this episode, you’ll hear the story
Do you sense God calling you out, asking you to do something that is outside your comfort zone? In your intimidating assignment look for encouragement through a prayer partner, a mentoring relationship, or participation in a workplace Bible study.
Interruptions can be opportunities to demonstrate compassion. How we respond when our plans get changed can add to or take away from our resilience.
When circumstances turn from desirable to undesirable or when the task ahead is greater than one’s resources, it is common to want to know our importance to God and whether He is with us in our labors.
Discouragement can place us at opposite ends of God’s intention requiring Him to correct us, turn us around, and put us back on His course.
Take a minute and evaluate the presence of the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Which fruit is most abundant in your life right now? After reflecting on the abundance, think on the fruit you sense needs to be growing in you.
Discerning wisdom is not an overnight process. Spiritual wisdom accompanies the practice of spiritual disciplines, particularly when prayer and Bible study are hallmarks.
Being an effective leader is as much about having the right heart as following proven leadership practices.
How do we overcome the dueling natures, the struggle of the flesh to do evil and of the mind that knows to obey the commands of God?
From whom do you seek advice and in whom do you place your trust when it seems you are not receiving discernable direction from God?
What might cause you to be stingy with empathy or sympathy? Few things are worse than arrogance. Are you tempted to make your compassion for others conditional?
Consider that our leadership role is not always one of preventing another from his determined path. In some cases, the correction or consequence that follows will have the greater impact on a person’s decision to walk with integrity.
What gives you greater delight—loyalty to a program, an institution, a promotion, or obedience to God? God wants the acknowledged, preeminent position in each of our lives.
Have you made an error in judgment by insisting things go your way? Perhaps you are presently in the midst of unintended consequences from a rash decision. If so, follow David’s example.
Whether in a personal relationship or in the workplace, Jesus’ admonition to forgive remains. As servant leaders, how we forgive and restore is a mark of obedience to Christ’s commands.
Little by little, in God’s time He performs His purposes. Some leaders, thrust into positions of greater responsibility as a reward for a job well done, fizzle in their performance because they lack the wisdom that seasoning and time bring.
How does one keep focus when distractions and discouragement come? Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Keep focus on the big picture and ask His help. Remind yourself that what you do is for His glory.
God does not abandon us in the face of weighty circumstances and pressures. Consider God’s prevailing truth and rely on His presence during your times of need for deliverance from nagging circumstances.
Paul’s admonition to “show tolerance for one another in love” is not a call to disregard others’ immoral practices, but to be ready to show compassion and to sow seeds of right thinking and being.
Are you seeking clarity from God on a matter but are uncertain that you are hearing correctly? Do not ask for something for yourself but ask that His will in that situation be done and earnestly desire to be part of the answer.
What is God speaking to your heart regarding the application of justice, loving kindness, and humility? God’s preferred sacrifice is a “broken spirit and a contrite heart.” He rejects self-justification but embraces compassion.
Hollywood squares. Brady Bunch. Tic-tac-toe. Whatever you call it, OCF largely is doing fellowship in a virtual box so far in 2020 because of COVID-19. This digital frontier has not been without its share of challenges and disappointments, but amid the uncertainty, there are stories of opportunities found and unexpected blessings received from among the membership.
Paul yielded to Jesus’ “all in” commitment. What about you? In your work, marriage, parenting…how are you responding to the one who was crucified so that you could live?
Cleansing and restoration has everything to do with the integrity of who God is. As God completes His refining process, we must be mindful that if we want God to forgive us, we must be willing to forgive and help restore others.
As God calls us into service, He does not call us because of our unique skill set or qualifications; rather, He deems us faithful and trustworthy as a condition for service.
The unexpected need not derail us as we lean on Him, for it is God who guides and helps. The one whose confidence is in the Lord has no weakness a foe can take advantage of. May the Lord be our guide in all circumstances, and may He daily strengthen us to be suited for whatever comes our way.
Cornelius seamlessly integrated his faith with his profession and availed himself for God’s use. This “devout man” pleased the Lord and received His commendation. What about you? How are you consistently availing yourself for Christ’s service?
Study Notes and Questions for Ruth 4
OCF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our CFC number is 10531. OCF is also a member of these organizations:
Copyright © 2000-2023 Officers’ Christian Fellowship. All Rights Reserved.
OCF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our CFC number is 10531. OCF is also a member of these organizations:
Copyright © 2000-2023 Officers’ Christian Fellowship. All Rights Reserved.
"Leader, Draw Near" copies are now available!
![A Rocky Mountain ROTC Retreat recap from OCF Director of ROTC Ministry Larry Sherbondy: "[The same weekend as the Midwest ROTC Retreat,] at Spring Canyon, 23 cadets met to consider 'Spiritual Fitness.' Like all these retreats, this one was a great example of how we are learning to partner together with our fellow ROTC ministries.
"Speakers included CH(1LT) Christian Rainbolt, USAR, Valor Regional Director Bobby Rainbolt, and OCF Colorado Springs Area Coordinator Tom Falconer. Devotions were led by Tyler Williams, team leader of Cru in Northern Colorado.
"Of particular interest to the cadets was a talk given by CH Rainbolt on the role of chaplains and the path to becoming a chaplain in our military.
"The cadets had ample time for reflection, interaction, prayer, and seeking God in His Word, as well as for taking in the incredible beauty and all that Spring Canyon has to offer!"
#ocfusa #ocffellowshipfriday #militaryministry #militaryfaith](https://scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.75761-15/487402867_18489896728045938_2035760014457411986_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=18de74&_nc_ohc=ZeGL70cDaWQQ7kNvwE81q1R&_nc_oc=Adk5a6VFoo9bTUT8hKtM2LN2tvGEahNnkdrMu-RnLh811O4QsCBz1tOMVRPCgIn6YVMS6aRX7SVff1Esdb9TR1If&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=f3kVCENIhNR-iLB9S3ZOxg&oh=00_AfGgX-t30-HV9NoiL3y9d4dxYhA4Bt0Jh_kLSL2OujSYVw&oe=67F8DBDF)
Facility management experts needed! 