OCF Crosspoint Podcast
“Embrace the suck”: Trusting God in all things
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.
Balancing relationships and Bible study in a small group
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.
Learning from the VMI ministry model to reach Generation Z
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.
Embracing GRACE relations in the body of 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?
How to see past the barriers and share your story
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.
One Marine’s Journey to Live for God, Family, Country, and Corps
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.
Nelson Chiaravallotti: “Enduring and faithful pursuit in the face of affliction”
“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 Delva: “I always use my experience as a testimony to help other people”
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.
Karis and Ben Meier: “God really opened my heart through what I’ve suffered”
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.
Ron Bracy: “God wants me to simply trust and obey where He leads”
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?”
Amanda Yashack, part 2: “God is healing me and he is giving me my life back”
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.
Amanda Yashack, part 1: “That morning at PT something inside me just completely broke.”
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.
Sam Alexander: “I realized that I need to really focus on bringing God into my work”
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.
Hannah Johnson: “In order to glorify God, I have to have it all together”
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.
Grant Johnson: “Your identity is not wrapped up in the aircraft that you’re flying.”
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: “I no longer see myself as the star of my movie”
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.
Aaron Zimmerman: Finding peace when our identity is in Christ
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 Thompson, Gold Star Mother: “God wants you to keep on living”
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.
Rico Lane: “I just didn’t have that loving relationship with a father”
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 Haggerty: “God, why don’t you care?”
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.
Chipu Chu: “I was broken. I needed a savior.”
(Season 2, Episode 1) In this episode, you’ll hear the story of 2nd Lt Chip Chu, USAF. When I interviewed Chip over a year ago, he was still a Firstie at the Air Force Academy. COVID-19 wasn’t exactly a household word
