About OCF Communications

This article originally appeared in COMMAND magazine, or an OCF Ministry Report.

A year of opportunity and blessing amid turmoil

2022-11-14T17:09:40-07:00Categories: Connected|

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.

Biblical Truths from Life’s Experiences

2020-12-03T13:38:43-07:00Categories: Latest Articles, The Christian Officer|

What parables has God given to you through the simple circumstances of your life that you can share with others? Too often Christians do not share with others what God is teaching them and doing in their lives, things that can encourage other believers and make them sensitive to God’s moving in the world—and even in their own lives.

Active Duty, Active Faith

2022-02-16T16:32:05-07:00Categories: Religious Rights and Responsibilities of Those in Uniform|

You must pursue God and live out your faith while on active duty. It’s easy to get caught up in the cyclical training and deployment grind to where your faith comes out only on Sunday—if at all. Stay engaged. Find a spiritual battle buddy—someone to hold you accountable. Commit to a daily devotional. Be an example in both word and deed. 

What is OCF?

2018-06-24T07:28:38-06:00Categories: Leadership, May A Christian Be A Warrior?|

It’s not unusual to hear people ask, “What is OCF?” or “What does OCF do?” They may wonder if OCF is a club of officers like-minded in their Christian faith, or just the local Bible study fellowship they attend.

Beauty amid the ruins

2018-06-23T12:25:58-06:00Categories: Embracing the Culture|

As a servant leader being the hands and heart of Christ to others in life’s tragedies, TSgt Padgett suggested that helping others is as simple as being aware of the ways you can do so.

God’s intentions for the small group

2018-08-23T13:42:44-06:00Categories: Refining, Small Groups|

While we may be accustomed to defining the essence of our Christian faith in other ways, Christianity involves not only a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but also an entirely different outlook on life that is grounded in the hope we have for all that God has promised.

Following a certain God in an uncertain world

2018-06-23T12:25:59-06:00Categories: Chaplains, Embracing the Culture|

As our culture continues drifting further into a post-Christian neo-pagan worldview, Christ-followers may be tempted to spiritual panic attacks. Especially for those of us striving to integrate faith and biblical worldview into our military profession, how can we remain faithful to our call when policies and programs appear to oppose higher principles and priorities?

Perspectives on servant leadership

2018-06-28T16:50:58-06:00Categories: Military Leadership|Tags: |

The term “servant leadership” evokes a varied range of impressions as to what that really means, looks like, and how it plays out in real life. At first glance, the seemingly incongruous servant leadership concept appears especially contrary in business settings or military circles where typically bosses lead, employees serve.

Fellowship through ‘practical action’

2018-06-26T18:51:00-06:00Categories: IFP Rejected, Latest Articles|

OCF has provided transitory military Christians with two static places—Spring Canyon in Colorado and White Sulphur Springs in Pennsylvania—for abundant opportunities of Christ-centered fellowship, programs and fun. The ideal end result: being equipped to reach others for Christ throughout the military society—and form lifetime friendships.

God is real and active in our lives

2018-03-28T11:42:00-06:00Categories: Featured, General|

Army CWO2 Sheldon Duffy and his wife, Salena, share their story of Sheldon’s near-death experience with leukemia and how they endured the trials and uncertainties of not knowing if he would survive.

Unique stressors of the military family

2018-06-08T05:49:14-06:00Categories: Family, Transitions|

Like you, my husband, Steve, and I know what it’s like for our marriage to have to go into survival mode during extended periods of separation. We know the pressure of caring for children in the midst of huge transitions. We know the challenge of supporting each other when our own personal resources are depleted.

Making the ‘no greater love’ sacrifice

2018-06-23T11:50:01-06:00Categories: Chaplains, Supporting the Chaplaincy|

The Four Chaplains, also referred to as the "Immortal Chaplains" or the "Dorchester Chaplains," were four United States Army chaplains who gave their lives to save other civilian and military personnel as the troop ship USAT Dorchester sank on February 3, 1943, during World War II. They helped other soldiers board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out.

Ministry Snapshot

2017-02-28T12:31:39-07:00Categories: Latest Articles|

The adage of a church not being a building, but rather its people also applies to the ministry of Officers’ Christian Fellowship. Click a story below to get a snapshot of the vast entirety of ministry work that has gone on over the years through OCF, now entering its seventy-second year. The people and stories featured here represent all those who have sacrificially given of their time, talents and treasure—standing on the shoulders of giants while declaring God’s “power to the next generation” (Psalm 71:18).

Time, Talent, Treasure: Academies

2017-02-28T12:31:39-07:00Categories: Latest Articles|

Exceptionally demanding—that is the four-year journey through one of our nation’s military service academies, deliberately designed as such to forge finely tuned military leaders from out of the fires of continual challenge. Cadets and midshipmen juggle jam-packed schedules that stretch them beyond the max physically, emotionally, mentally.  And spiritually. 

Time, Talent, Treasure: Retirees

2018-06-25T16:35:58-06:00Categories: Latest Articles|

For Christians serving in our nation’s Armed Forces, even when their active duty days meld into retirement, God’s call to serve Him remains evergreen, for in age’s autumn years “…they will stay fresh and green” (Psalm 92:14), still bearing fruit. 

  • Photo by Heather Cortright

Time, Talent, Treasure: Warrior Forge

2018-05-09T14:56:19-06:00Categories: ROTC|

Before Army ROTC cadets can be commissioned as second lieutenants, they must successfully complete what is now known as the Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), a training event developing their leadership skills while evaluating their officer potential. Once held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, LDAC —Warrior Forge—now takes place at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Speak my language

2018-06-27T14:11:44-06:00Categories: The Military Spouse|

Marriage is hard enough for the everyday civilian. But add in the unique challenges of deployments, frequent moves, and high-pressure situations, and it’s no wonder military marriages are under stress.

God, are you with me?

2018-10-11T08:26:35-06:00Categories: Communicating with God, Enduring Hardship|

The following short story was written by OCF member MAJ Mario Miglietta, USA. It is based on a story told during an OCF Bible study that he attends. A person in the Bible study told of a Soldier from his battalion who had fallen on hard times, but who found encouragement and hope from a letter he received from his little sister. Mario says he was inspired by that story and wrote about what the Soldier had gone through—"how I imagined the story evolved."

  • West Point Cadets hug at the completion of the 2014 graduation and commissioning ceremony at the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., May 28, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Mikki L. Sprenkle/Released)

Four lessons in leadership for young warriors

2018-06-25T12:16:10-06:00Categories: Military Leadership, ROTC|

When commissioned at an OCF bar-pinning ceremony twenty years ago, I was ready to take on the world, but acutely aware I knew little about leadership and military service! Through mistakes and the Lord’s patient refinement, I learned that the Bible is the greatest leadership manual ever written, but we must apply its timeless truths to the circumstances of our lives.

Communicating hope beyond suffering

2018-06-26T08:15:00-06:00Categories: General, Military Leadership|

Authentic leadership deals with life's real issues of pain, trauma and suffering while pointing beyond to a life in Christ. As Paul reminds us, our present trials are but a means to an end; particularly for the Christian leader, hope is the final reality of life.

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