Content and Media
Items on this page come from our various communications and podcasts.
January 2022 Prayer Focus
Our loving Father will vigilantly chip away at the achievements, talents, positions, power, rank, status, possessions, etc., we are prone to default to for our self-worth. His goal is to hone and refine our identity into the very image of Jesus Christ.
Living the military life together
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.
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.
Fall 2021 Ministry News
OCF Ministry News items from Connected newsletter.
Where do you see yourself in OCF?
“In order to tangibly strengthen our connectivity, we have an enormous need for members to step into the yoke with the Lord and one another. If you are willing to be spent for the Gospel, we have a myriad of areas where you can sign up to serve.”
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.
Spring 2021 Ministry News
OCF Ministry News items from Connected newsletter.
A year of opportunity and blessing amid turmoil
The arrival of the COVID-related shutdowns during the spring of 2020 brought an end to both conference centers’ plans for their normal summer programs and events. Nonetheless, both locations have overcome many of the challenges the pandemic has created.
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.
What is Christian Mentoring?
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.
Chipu Chu: “I was broken. I needed a savior.”
(Season 2, Episode 1) In this episode, you’ll hear the story
53. He Will Be With You
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.
52. Rest Interrupted
Interruptions can be opportunities to demonstrate compassion. How we respond when our plans get changed can add to or take away from our resilience.
51. Where Now is the Lord?
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.