Living the military life together

2023-01-18T17:42:21-07:00Categories: Command, Latest Articles, Small Groups|

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.

Biblical Truths from Life’s Experiences

2024-05-28T15:21:17-06:00Categories: 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.

54. Josh and Lindsey Bowen: The importance of small group fellowship

2023-04-13T15:09:21-06:00Categories: Episodes, Small Groups|

Today you're going to hear the story of Joshua and Lindsey Bowen, both captains in the Army. And, while their story contains a few themes, such as mentoring, leadership, and spiritual growth, the one common thread throughout their story is the small group fellowship and the importance that fellowship has played in their lives...going all the way back to when they first met.

44. Brigit Jogan: Experiencing God on the mountaintop

2023-04-13T15:09:25-06:00Categories: Episodes, Loving God|

First Class Cadet Brigit Jogan, a senior at the United States Coast Guard Academy, hiked the summit of Mount Antero in Colorado’s Collegiate Peaks during her time at Rocky Mountain High this past summer, and it was during that physical climb to the mountaintop that she experienced the Spirit of God moving in a mighty way. Today, Brigit is going to talk about that experience as she shares her story.

42. Jeff Struecker: Trusting God in All Things

2023-04-13T15:09:26-06:00Categories: Episodes, Stages of Growing as a Christian|

Jeff Struecker's book, "The Road to Unafraid," is the centerpiece for today's conversation. Although several perspectives or themes can be found in the book, Jeff and I focused on trusting in God. In the face of fear and uncertainty at certain times throughout his life, I asked Jeff to talk about how God asked Jeff to trust Him and what that looked like in his life, particularly his military career.

39. Why is Wisdom So Important?

2023-04-13T15:09:28-06:00Categories: Episodes, Stages of Growing as a Christian|

My guest today is Pastor Keith Peck. He has over 40 years of pastoral ministry experience, and recently retired as pastor emeritus of Broadneck Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Annapolis, Maryland, where he served for 27 years. Keith offers his insights on the application of wisdom.

Is spiritual warfare real? Episode 35

2023-04-13T15:09:29-06:00Categories: Episodes, Spiritual Warfare|

Today, we’re talking about spiritual warfare, and our guest is MG Kurt Fuller, USA (Ret.). MG Fuller served 26 years as a paratrooper, 12 years in the Ranger Regiment, and 6 years in combat, including Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, Haiti, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

  • Man holding smartphone that displays the title text of this Crosspoint podcast episode: Theological Implications of Addiction.

The Theological Implications of Addiction | Episode 23

2023-04-13T15:09:35-06:00Categories: Embracing the Culture, Episodes, Family as a Force Multiplier, Stages of Growing as a Christian|

What does scripture say about addiction? Can a Christian have an addiction? What does a biblical approach to recovery look like? Isn't Jesus enough? Our guest is Dr. John Thorington—a licensed professional counselor and is also certified as a Sexual Recovery Therapist by the American Association of Sex Addiction Therapy.

What Fuels Your Engine? | Episode 022

2023-04-13T15:09:35-06:00Categories: Episodes, Stages of Growing as a Christian|

In this episode, we chat with Dr. David Kim, a physician, founder, and current CEO of Beacon Christian Community Health Center in New York, and discuss the emotion-fueled train vs. the truth-fueled train; the effects of social media on both of these trains; 3 questions every Christian should able to answer, as well as learning more about how Dr. Kim’s ministry model at Beacon Health relates to integrating faith in all areas of your life as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Love Languages for Military Couples | Episode 016

2023-04-13T15:09:38-06:00Categories: Episodes, The Military Spouse|

What comes to mind when you hear “Acts of Service?” How about “Words of Affirmation” or “Quality Time?” You might recognize them as 3 of the 5 love languages from the popular book first written by Dr. Gary Chapman back in 1995. In this episode, OCF managing editor Karen Fliedner chats with Jocelyn Green about Finding Your Love Language…at the intersection of faith, family, and profession.

The Scars of Moral Injury | Episode 014

2023-04-13T15:09:39-06:00Categories: Enduring Hardship, Episodes|

Former OCF director of field operations LTC Tom Schmidt, US Army (Ret.), sat down with COL Dave Batchelor, USA (Ret.), in the faculty lounge of the US Army Command and General Staff College, where COL Batchelor shared the candid story of his personal struggle with moral injury.

Go Make Disciples | Episode 010

2023-04-13T15:09:41-06:00Categories: Episodes, Mentoring and Discipling Others|

Life moves fast. And in the high-tempo, transient lifestyle of the military, do we really have time to pour into someone else and answer the call to make more disciples? The guest for this episode is COL Scott Kelly, USA, and he’ll share his insights on the topic of discipleship.

Be a Leader God Can Use | Episode 009

2023-04-13T15:09:41-06:00Categories: Episodes, Military Leadership|

In this episode, we chat with 1LT Ryan Menicucci, USA, about what it takes to be a leader that God can use. The context for the conversation comes from a weekend ROTC retreat at OCF's White Sulphur Springs Conference Center in 2017. 1LT Menicucci recalls three important lessons learned that weekend: We must have faith in something that is worthy of our faith; we must know who we are in Christ; and we must be prepared to fight the good fight, as we engage in spiritual warfare.

Growing your affections for Christ | Episode 007

2023-04-13T15:09:42-06:00Categories: Episodes, Loving God|

LTC Tom Schmidt, USA (Ret.), chats with CH(MAJ) Mark Winton, USA, on the topic of “affections for Christ.” Our affections are typically rooted in our answer to this question: “What are our heart longings for?” As CH Winton suggests, our answer ultimately shows what drives our hearts and where our affections lie.

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. 

Navigating the Storms of Life | Episode 002

2023-04-13T15:09:45-06:00Categories: Episodes, Military Leadership|

Sometimes the storms of life can be metaphorical, such as a difficult deployment, move, or career transition. However, there are those times when the storms of life refer to literal storms. Such was the case for our guest today, LT James Rader, USCG, as he took part in search-and-rescue efforts during Hurricane Harvey this past August.

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.

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