Last Updated on November 14, 2022 by OCF Communications
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”
—Isaiah 6:8
Arguably, the most significant milestone in Officers’ Christian Fellowship’s 78 years of ministry is the day ministry opportunities were launched at the service academies, first at the U.S. Naval Academy, and later the U.S. Military Academy. God’s powerful work of eternally transformed lives through vibrant, fruitful ministry continues to flourish—at all service academies and through various ROTC programs.
One snapshot from the album of captured ministry moments is spring break mission trips cadets or mids have taken in lieu of the typical vacations, whether to help with post-tornado clean up, build a Habitat for Humanity home, or venture outside the U.S. to serve impoverished people. As Tom Austin, former OCF staff rep at West Point observed from his experiences in the Domination Republic with his USMA OCF cadets, “They go with a noble idea, but the opportunities have them returning having been blessed by what they received verses what they gave.”
“It had a huge impact on the kids by being convicted a little bit in seeing God’s world and to become less selfish,” said Tom, “and to watch the cadets… serve those who have nothing but who shared what they did have. Had. Often times cadets would come back immediately wanting to become a missionary.”
When it comes to meaning in life, we all—even the most life-hardened or avid of atheists—have an innate desire for our lives to have purpose, which is largely expressed in attaining an occupation or goal.
For Christians, our life’s purpose involves a calling, which starts with our response to Christ’s call of “Come, follow Me.” It’s a call to a restored, ever-growing intimate relationship with Him in every aspect of our lives, and to participate in His redemptive work in the world as a Kingdom builder: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
The OCF ministry and its members have long endeavored to Kingdom work that’s in step with the transient nature of their military lives. God’s calling is a dual calling, of both serving in the military and as Christlike leaders in the military communities—Kingdom work right where He has providentially placed us. Which is why Tom Austin would encourage his future military leaders when they returned from their mission trips “to stay in and serve in this mission field,” the military community where God placed them.
Thank you for responding to our heavenly Commander in Chief’s call to come before Him as an OCF prayer warrior.
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