Items of this media type are derived from a variety of OCF print sources, magazines, and booklets, or online content over the years.
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.
If you want to be the Christian military leader God has called you to be, I believe a must-have is a strong support system that loves, supports, and sustains you.
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.
When PCSing, the most common strategies teens use with one another involve simple avoidance, picking a fight to create distance so it’s easier to leave, disconnecting through moodiness or hyperactivity, or adopting the “It’s all cool” act. This is why we need to build a RAFT.
It’s incredibly important, yet challenging, that as you run your race in uniform for Christ, to keep His light in your heart burning brightly for others to see.
by Colonel Larry and Bobbie Simpson, USAF (Ret.) “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place;
The chain of command—everybody has one. Everybody knows where they are in that chain, and it honestly clarifies and simplifies your life as a military member.
Men have a lot in common with wolves. We mark our territory, strut in front of females, and bristle in the presence of another alpha male.
Only by trusting God and His plan for our lives can we lead courageously in our duty as both officers and Christians. It’s time to build a strategy that calculates the risks of leadership minefields and faces them with a moral courage that matches the bravery of those we lead on the battlefield.
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.
Outwit, Outplay and Outlast? My wish for you this Christmas season is instead that you “Out Love and Out Give."
The heartbeat of OCF is the small group fellowship, over 360 of them occurring throughout our nation and across the globe, including New Zealand, Korea and Norway.
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.
Given the description in Ephesians 6 of the spiritual battle raging around us, what can we do to prepare for the moral ambushes upon us from the enemy and avoid becoming a spiritual casualty? This article explores 6 tactics to help you avoid becoming a spiritual casualty.
Don’t you love it when the Lord reveals something new through His Word? I have read Matthew many times. And I’ll admit that I usually skim past the genealogy to get to the “meat” proclaiming the birth, life and good news about our Savior. Recently, however, my eyes were opened to two truths that penetrated my heart, ensuring that I will never again fast forward past these verses and forever ponder my lineage and legacy.
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.
Since warfare in and of itself is ultimately the warfare of our soul and spirit, we have the choice of allowing our healing to proceed through our spiritual maturation instead of succumbing to substance abuse to mask problems. Ultimately our ability to be healed, or at least cope with our issues, is based upon spiritual healing.
Do you see others as the Lord sees them, as diamonds waiting to be set free to achieve their full potential? Steward leadership is taking care of the people who have been “given” to you, developing their full potential, and earning you those wonderful words from the ultimate Steward Leader, “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
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."
For seven decades the living waters of Jesus Christ have flowed forth, from the heart of the ministry of Officers’ Christian Fellowship—innumerable men and women making a kingdom difference by living, loving and working with others throughout the military society.
How do others see you fulfilling your dual commissions? Do they see a leader who cares for them with the heart of Jesus, who is humble, grace-filled and selfless, and who ultimately serves the One and only Lord? As you serve your nation and serve your Lord, you will have ample opportunities to shine the Light of Christ through your love and service to others.
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.
Not many of us give much thought to that question on a daily basis. And truthfully, some days I may not really want to know the answer. But knowing how the Lord sees us is something we must consider because the answer dramatically affects our calling.
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.
Christian officer, leader—how important is prayer to you? As Christians serving in the military, do we recognize what and for whom we should be praying for in our leadership roles? Godly officers and leaders pray.
Congratulations on your commission! As you embark on the next phase of your journey, let me recommend competence, courage, and commitment as keys to your blueprint for successfully integrating faith and profession as military leaders.
We’ve been through a lot in our four short years of marriage, but it’s been exciting to look back and see how God has been a part of it all, especially in the last two years. God poured out countless blessings on my husband in the pursuit of his dreams, making it through the arduous training without any major injuries or setbacks. I couldn’t be prouder of him!
Even after two deployments, I still don't understand how mankind can be so cruel and thoughtless.
Combating Satan's tool of discouragement requires confident faith in Jesus Christ, that unutterable trust of knowing He is always standing with us through all life's bewildering fires.
If your military family is a typical one, chances are you have moved about once every two to three years. With the many stresses associated with moving, one of the most difficult decisions can be whether to buy a house or rent one.
We never think it will happen to us, but the reality is that each of us will someday receive our final PCS orders to stand before the Lord. Do you have a spiritual sponsor for that coming day?
There are certain moments in a lifetime you never forget. For me, the memories of formally giving a father’s blessing to my children in person continues to give me joy as I recall each event.
As Christians, we have the privilege of serving the King of kings and Lord of lords. But He also invites us to come aside and just enjoy being His children. That time will stoke the brightness of His light within us and our faces will reflect that glory He gave us! Where’s your refuge?
When our speech lacks the love of Christ, Scripture clearly declares we are just a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
Jump on in! Living completely sold out to God is a lot like doing a cannonball into a pool--not on the edge of toe-testing mediocrity.
Thriving Christian marriages reveal prayerful planning and purposeful intention.
Congratulations to the OCF Class of 2012! We who have gone before welcome you to the profession of arms and the start of your great race the Lord has set before you. Crossing the threshold, you now carry two commissions simultaneously: one conferred on you from our Commander in Chief and one from the King of kings.
by Larry Simpson, Colonel, USAF (Ret) "And fixing his gaze on him and being much alarmed, he said, 'What
William Crawford was an unimpressive figure, one you could easily overlook during a hectic day at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
As both a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and a Christian, have you ever wondered, "just what exactly are my rights to freely express my faith in Jesus Christ-even while in uniform?"
One Christian of distinction, who fought in five wars, was U.S. Army Brigadier General Gustavus Loomis. In Loomis is the ideal balance of Christian faith, devotion to family, and excellence in military service.
Soon, Christmas nativity scenes and all the Christmas season trappings will be packed away into storage for another year. But the unopened package-the Christ of Christmas-remains for the taking, offering lasting hope and future beyond our often dreary, heart-breaking world.
Victory over adversity. It's something Dick Toliver knows well, this great-grandson of a slave, who grew up in dark days of the pre-civil-rights-era South. Despite the shackles of poverty, racism, injustice, he fought to become a highly decorated and accomplished Air Force pilot.
How's your Christ light shining?
The OCF small group is a safe place where military Christians can gather to support and encourage one another.
Christian leader, the narrow road of discipleship—a road the Lord travels with us—is full of unexpected, difficult turns. Prepare earnestly, lead well. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Waging war against sexual impurity starts in the battlefield of the mind.
Christ-centered chapel programs may involve your participation.
What is it like to kill the enemy? As a Christian, what should be my response?
Often unseen in life's "lucky breaks" are the preparation, prayer--and waiting--for the opportunities from God.
Couples in resilient marriages are intentional and vigilant in building successful relationships.
When Rob shared his vision with me, I had been an Army wife for nearly eleven years—all of our marriage. I would have described myself as supportive of his career. I understood a fair amount about the military, had attended countless functions, and attempted to make the most out of each move. Wasn't that enough? What else did he need from me?
Christian military women can become influential leaders by embracing the fullness of their identities as women made in Christ's image.
You are OCF—not the OCF home office, field staff rep, or your group leaders.
Father's Day is the perfect venue to consider those who first loved us--especially our Father in heaven.
Challenges are unique for married-to-each-other military with families when duty calls
Each of you new officers raised your right hand and repeated an oath to faithfully support and defend the Constitution of the United States. The enlisted men and women you now lead vowed to faithfully follow your orders as their officer in support of the Constitution.
How would a jury of your peers judge your Christian walk?
Got fire for the Lord? Keep it burning by stoking your flame. We must tend to the fire-to the love relationship with our Lord. Anything less is abandonment. Remembering, repenting, and returning stokes that fire and results in peace and power.
The godly leader is indeed a powerful witness for Christ. When we follow Christ's example—and let Him take the reins of our leadership—we will experience a calling that is fulfilling beyond measure, and one in which the results are undeniable.
Prison visits are powerful ministry opportunities for OCF small group fellowships.
How do you respond to shaping?
What brings you to the point of task overload?
What enables Christian leaders to maintain the charge when others give up?
The Word of the Lord penetrates the heart and compels an obedient response.
So should we question God's authority?
What is your synonym for fear?
How might the Christian leader apply the lesson of Ananias and Sapphira to the work place?
Do you allow the "spiritual self" or the "old nature" to dictate your decisions?
Failure is a part of living.
So how do you become a hero--or at least a good leader?
What mentorship lessons might we learn from Paul and his heartfelt concern for Timothy?
How are you doing when it comes to sorting through the competing priorities in your life? What's your battle rhythm?
Deep down inside most of us generally have a sense of how to respond to adversity and challenging circumstances.
Every day is a good time for a reality check.
The leader's satisfaction comes in doing what he is called to do.
So you are thinking about starting an OCF group. Good for you!!
The benefits of fasting shouldn't be overlooked.
A deployed chaplain shares his thoughts leading up to Christmas.
There may be times when you're discouraged, when your spiritual strength and confidence may be shaken, or when you grow tired from the high spiritual operational tempo. Do not lose hope!
Imagine--the same God who fashioned the heavens and earth, and made man in His image--knew this would occur.
Leadership was a natural result of who Tom was.
An officer who was there takes a step back to view the big picture.
What is the relationship between Christians and politics?
"Follow me!" sounds like an adventure--the full life that Jesus brings!
Lack of contentment comes from entertaining lies.
Balance the roles of Christian officer and Christian spouse.
We all have to serve or work for someone at some time in our lives.
May we boldly encourage the lifestyle our mottos, creeds, and principles promote--in order that we may not be put to shame.
Things that I plan to leave for my children seem petty compared to the enduring legacy my heavenly Father has left to me.
I found being passed over to be the most freeing thing that has happened to me in my walk with Christ
The Lord has brought you to this place for His purpose, and He will not rest until you are fully prepared.
Become a person who influences others for Christ.
Four keys to a godly marriage.
In our haste to don armor and build obstacles and barriers, however, we must not forget that prayer is the essential element for our security and salvation.
As we seek a warrior's ethic for today we can reasonably look back 3000 years to another man of arms—arguably the greatest soldier ever to serve the nation of Israel, David, youngest son of Jesse. The ethic of David may be seen as consisting of two general orders: Do the Right Thing and Trust in God.
A chaplain shares his insights about young, deployed service men and women.
Here are four ways you can pray over chaplains by praying the prayers of Colossians 1:9-12, Ephesians 1:15-19, and Ephesians 6:19-20.
A chaplain's wife shares her thoughts.
In a combat zone soldiers can rarely say, "Chaplain, you just don't know what I'm going through."
OCF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our CFC number is 10531. OCF is also a member of these organizations:
Copyright © 2000-2023 Officers’ Christian Fellowship. All Rights Reserved.
OCF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our CFC number is 10531. OCF is also a member of these organizations:
Copyright © 2000-2023 Officers’ Christian Fellowship. All Rights Reserved.
