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Professional Perspectives for Senior Officers

[…]do, or something God intended to be done isn’t being done. COLOSSIANS 3.23, ROMANS 12:11. Your work has intrinsic value to God. He expects you to do your best in your work (not necessarily to be the best among your peers). A specific uniqueness of OCF is that we encourage our members to see their work as their ministry, not a place of competition. The concluding section of this booklet speaks to this. THESE PRIORITIES will often seem to compete for your time and attention. There will be a time when your work will place extremely stressful and lengthy demands […]
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Service Separations

[…]to begin with) can strengthen another. Accept separations as a challenge! Don’t let them work against you; make them work for you! Marriages can grow even though husband and wife are separated by distance. If nothing else, separations force you to focus on the major good qualities of your mate, rather than his minor idiosyncrasies. When you are with a person all the time, little things like socks on the floor or newspapers scattered all over become progressively irritating. It’s easy to start taking each other for granted. Sometimes a few weeks of separation help to get perspectives back in […]

Christian Leadership for the Junior Officer

[…]laziness is not all about time spent on the job. Determine to work hard whenever and wherever you work. Needing to work extra-long hours may be a sign that you are not working efficiently. Technical Competence. When you arrive at your first unit, you should focus your attention on learning your responsibilities and the technical systems you will use. Communications systems alone will require reading and hands-on practice. For a time, put away the books on Generals Patton and Lee and the “bulletproof superhero” novels and focus on the technical aspects of your new job. Every type of unit will […]

Why We Serve

[…]His family and presence. Our love for Him motivates us to serve Him in our military, to serve and work for our families, and to serve and work to enable the message of salvation to reach those who have yet to accept Him as Lord and Savior. As Jesus spoke in the Gospel of John. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him (John […]

A day in the life of OCF

[…]but now want to grow old with the man I married.”   1200 The key word for the lunch hour is work—as in work out at the gym or workplace Bible studies. While some OCF members build up their bodies exercising, others are building up each other, with the Bread of Life. One group is discussing how their Christian perspectives shape conflict resolution. Twenty USNA mids and an officer are watching Francis Chan’s Crazy Love video Bible study, while Aaron Zook leads the Fort Hood chapel Bible study at the discipleship luncheon.    1300 In the home office, member care […]

Finishing Strong, in Iraq and Life

[…]in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:3-6). Whether a military mission or in life itself, who doesn’t want to finish strong? Like the Iraqis, we have choices to make to ensure we finish our race with strength and dignity. There are some practical concepts for us from this passage in Philippians that can lead us to God’s finish line: remember each other; pray for one another; be joyous; be a partner; […]

Keep the End in Mind

[…]lunches with the children, standing on the beach and holding hands as we marveled at God’s handiwork, silently and verbally thanking God for our reunion. This looking ahead perspective had its practical side, too. As we purposed to begin with the end in mind, we had to decide what that looked like in pre-deployment, mid-deployment, and post-deployment. This minimized the emotion of departure and separation for both of us. It exposed the frightening unknown. Practically, looking ahead meant several things. Preparing for Deployment First, we would keep life as normal as possible. Attending church, helping the children with homework, making […]

Leadership Q&A

[…]your faith. The output of your duties, as such, should be the best possible. The quality of your work and expertise should be so good that it provides proof of your faith. To put it plainly, your credibility as a Christian is on the line if you are a substandard officer. Take pride in your work, walk your talk, and thereby bring glory to God. Q: What are the must-have tools you suggest for keeping sharp as a military officer and as a Christian? A: Every Christian officer needs a friend in the faith to hold him/her accountable, hear confession, […]

Professional Excellence (Durfey)

[…]is realized or renewed. This inner strength is often seen in “Coasties” who diligently work eighteen-hour days on search-and-rescue missions or compassionately conduct illegal migrant operations. A surprising phenomena was documented by an Austrian doctor in a Nazi death camp during World War II. Prisoners who used what little energy they had to serve others and to take care of others’ needs showed themselves to be physically and psychologically stronger than those who did not. In putting others’ needs before our own, we will stand out as different or peculiar. No doubt, a leader who understands all God’s creatures are […]

Six Generations: 3

[…]fifth “generation” of believers will pick up with Timothy Mallard, a young man I met and worked with when stationed in Panama. Timothy is now a Chaplain in the United States Army and on fire for the Lord and His work. He recently shared his written testimony with me and here is how it started: “My story as a Christian goes back to several formative experiences, not the least of which was a Bible study and discipleship program I experienced in Panama when I was a teenager. Many years after that…I dedicated myself to full-time Christian service, followed a call […]

The Line Officer and the Chaplain

[…]front-line combat, or in the day-to-day routines of office work — non-believers and Christians work together with the common goal of contributing to the security of our nation. The close relationships that grow out of these situations may offer opportunities for Christians to share spiritual truth. Many times they have been used by the Holy Spirit to draw people to Christ. Nonbelievers think of the chaplain as one who is “paid to talk about Christ.” They usually don’t perceive the Christian line officer as a “professional” Christian. For this reason, your testimony about God’s grace and purpose in your life […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: Academies

[…]advice for getting involved in the ministry of OCF? Burt: Look around, see where God is at work, and join Him there. Conduct your own Pray, Discover and Obey, and be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit shows you in the ways you should minister with the military. And then do it.  Austin: Keep your contact information updated with the OCF home office so that we can network more easily. It really helps our new officers to link up at their next post with another officer in OCF.   Why OCF? Burt: As a midshipman, when I was asking questions […]

Two Greedy Institutions

[…]spend some time with the family. Then, if necessary, return to the office to finish the day’s work. Pray together. Practice little expressions of love. Recognize your need for God’s grace. Pray for his grace to lead and love your family. Some things the officer wants from his spouse: Recognition that his role as an officer-Christian is a calling from God that he must do “heartily as unto the Lord” (Col 3:23). Her input on decision making-real opinions. When possible, a little wind-down time after returning home from work. Time and encouragement to pursue things personal. The similarities in many […]

Financial Responsibility for Children

[…]daughters babysat during the day, and they were in high demand. Our son mowed lawns and did other work for people so he had a source of income as well. In college each one held jobs which paid for the luxuries of college life, and in their last two years of college they helped with their rent and food costs with that income. The Financial Manager When our oldest was a sophomore in high school we decided to take a Big step. We delegated the management of the family finances to each child for a period of two years each. […]

For All Leaders

[…]leadership. Your time in command will go all too quickly. In the midst of the long hours and hard work, don’t forget to stop occasionally to reflect on the great blessing you have of experiencing command. You have been exalted for such a time as this. Good luck…may God work in a mighty way through you for His glory! Adapted from remarks originally presented to a group of Christian officers attending Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. William J. (Joe) Shirey, (Colonel, USAF, retired), was commissioned from the Air Force Academy in 1976. He was […]

Further insights from Mike and Angie Moyles

[…]once when forgot to do something for her, and I tried to blamed it on the removed lobe. That only worked the first time—not any longer. …Walking out on the “termination counselor”… We were told later that we were the first couple ever to refuse terminating a pregnancy. There weren’t any procedures in place should a couple decide not to terminate an unborn child’s life. …Cancer and sovereign God… No question God can heal me. Did God give me cancer? Yes, I believe He did. Romans 8:28 says all things work together for the glory of God. It took a […]

How Shall We Pray?

[…]of loved ones, difficulties with a child in school, conflict with those with whom or for whom we work, and relational issues with those we love. And then there are the challenges involving relationships with the Lord, both from inside the body and from the culture in which we live. Each day in the OCF Home Office we have devotions and a time of prayer to honor the requests from OCF members and families living and serving around the world. This is our most important work of the day and we are committed to honor each request. Because our prayer […]

Impact Your Military Community!

[…]of the chapel family provides us with opportunities to minister effectively to those with whom we work and deploy. However, the contrast between civilian churches and the military chapel can be significant, making the decision on where to fellowship difficult. Civilian churches often provide an exciting worship experience along with established outreach and family programs. Chapels usually have small congregations and few outreach ministries. But, the reason for chapel shortcomings usually rests with us. If more Christians supported the command chapel program, it could also have dynamic programs and outreach opportunities. If you want to conduct outreaches that impact your […]

OCF and Leadership

[…]and practice servant leadership. Leadership doesn’t mean we look for someone else to do the work. Servant leadership may mean sweeping the floor after the potluck. An Air Force major doing finances for the OCF Europe conference is exercising leadership. Coast Guard cadets running the children’s program at White Sulphur Springs Conference Center during the Easter retreat are exercising leadership. A colonel who has been selected for promotion to brigadier general acting as the registrar for a LEAD! is exercising leadership. An area coordinator organizing the leaders of all Christian ministries at the installation is exercising leadership. Our chief means […]

Six Generations: 1

[…]in Vietnam, Jon weaves some powerful spiritual insights. Here are a few: “Spirit still working overtime here. Last weekend Don Moomau preached here and then spoke informally Sunday afternoon. He was All-American LB (linebacker) at UCLA in ’53 and now is a minister in the LA area. His testimony and real, sincere and honest talk was, I think, one of the best we’ve had this year. He was competing with Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, a singing group, for an audience and didn’t fare too well, but I have found real peace in this matter. I figure that with […]

Six Generations: 2

[…]of the column when word came to him that casualties had been sustained. He began intently working on Sgt. Joe Roberts, one of Jon’s squad leaders, as Jon lay five feet away. Both men were seriously wounded from the initial enemy fire. Roberts had taken two bullets in the chest and Doc feverishly tried to stop the flow of blood, deal with the “sucking chest wound” that comes from penetrations of the lungs and treat for shock. Oblivious to the enemy fire all around him, Doc knew his lieutenant was either wounded or dead nearby. At this point, Rob “Doc” […]

The Role of Faith

[…]Denise McColl said, “A good friend once told me, ‘Pray as if everything depended on God; work as if everything depended on you!’ Applying this concept works wonders during deployment!”6 Sue Roberts advises separated families to “not pray for an easy life; pray to be a strong person.”7 Admiral Grady Jackson said, “In many ways I’ve never been closer spiritually to my family than when I’ve been away from them for extended periods, because those are the times I fully put them into the Lord’s hands. When we move out in the job that the Lord has called us to […]

The Wounded Healer

[…]tragedy?  However, it is in the strange economy of God where He does much of His greatest work through our suffering, such as the sorrow inflicted upon us by others. The apostle Paul recounted a season of overwhelming despair in his life as, “Great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). But in the Lord’s hands, the pain served to teach Paul that it “happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” And out of Paul’s period of despair came this rich fodder […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: Retirees

[…]OCF presence. Start with a Pray, Discover and Obey session. John Orosz: With the way military life works—PCSing all the time, deployments, etc.—OCF provides a easy way to fellowship and provide familiarity in unfamiliar situations. Based on my experiences with my little Bible study at COP Wilderness, I know that if I’m ever at a location without an OCF study, I’ll definitely start one.   Why OCF? Kit Vaughn: Gwynn received Jesus while reading the Bible, but most of his growth in Jesus came through OCF. We have found OCF as a good conduit to bring others to Jesus and […]

Walking

[…]more than just a little help. She was not asking for something she could manage on her own. The work was more than what she could cope with. It is very interesting that the Lord has used the same word in Romans 8:26: “Likewise the Spirit also Helps our infirmities; because we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He who searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to […]

Was it Failure or Success?

[…]feel unworthy of His use. He uses committed believers and Christian leaders to achieve the kingdom work of drawing others to Him. “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” In the face of failure, Simon did not give up. His was not a blind faith. He trusted Jesus for the things he had already seen Him do. What about you? Have you backed away from a challenge because the results have been slow to come? Remember, in God’s economy there’s no waste, “All things work together for good….”   Copyrighted by Officers’ Christian Fellowship and Larry […]

Families should develop a support system

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Double Portion

[…]request reminds me that God always has a plan for the continuance of His mission. Second, God’s work does not cease with key personnel turnover. You will recall: Moses led Israel out of captivity, but it was Joshua who led them into the promised land. David had a desire for a temple dedicated to God, but it was Solomon who built it. Various kings before Asa did not remove idols from the land, but Asa, king of Judah took courage and removed the detestable idols from the whole land” (2 Chronicles 15:8). As you consider Elisha’s request, does it rise […]

Heroes

[…]senior NCOs. These guys have seen and done it all–twice. Expect the best from them. Learn to work closely with them. Show yours soldiers you will do everything you ask them to do. If possible, do it better than they do. You will gain respect and have credibility as a leader. When you arrive at your new unit, watch, learn, and speak only when you have something positive to say. Quickly find your place in their unit. Own up to your mistakes early and seek to correct them. It’s what one learns from mistakes that separates a really good leader […]

Ice Cream in Iraq

[…]have a very little room where I live and sleep. Mostly it is just a place to sleep when I’m not working. My room is probably smaller than your bedrooms. I have a bed, a small wall locker which is like a closet, a small dresser, and a chair. I don’t need much room because I spend most of my time at work. 2. What do you eat there?I eat very normal meals, much the same as if I were at home. We have a large cafeteria that we call a dining facility or a mess hall. All the food […]

Implicit Trust

[…]becomes a saint. It is not by prayer or holy living, not by deeds of kindness, labors of love, or works of any kind. These, like the officer’s uniform, follow after. They manifest installment in the new position. Just as the Emperor’s word gave the private the assurance that he had become a captain, so the Word of God provides the sinner who believes and trusts in the Lord Jesus the assurance that he or she has become a child of God, has passed from darkness into His marvelous light, from death to life everlasting. Romans 10:9 (KJV) presents the […]

Interview with Chaplain Beach

[…]ethics require our strict accountability in such matters. How can chaplains and laypersons work together to exalt Jesus Christ in our military society? A comprehensive description of roles and relationships in military ministry requires a thorough study of the New Testament. Here are some possible actions. Build a friendship and maintain contact with the chaplain regardless of differences in theology. Pray for and with one another when you can. Find positive ways to express and discuss your differences. Make OCF or personal ministries part of the Command Religious Program by staff procedures that show you are acting openly in accord […]

It Didn’t Surprise God

[…]but Heather was protected. It hit home when a retired C-141 pilot contrasted Heather with his coworker who was in a remarkably similar situation. The only notable difference was the people who were praying for Heather. While his coworker suffered complications, Heather sailed through the treatment. I’m convinced the specific prayers of those who chose to pray alongside us made the difference. And yet this story is not complete unless I consider the alternative. God is not bound to say yes. He holds the length of Heather’s days in His hand. At any moment, He could take her into eternity. […]

Laborers and Laboring as Unto the Lord

[…]a great crash” (Matthew 7:26-27). All of which underlines the real heart and core of celebrating workers and their work, particularly in the greater-than eternal economy of God’s full kingdom to come, “That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:10). Unlike 401(k) portfolios that go up in smoke or hard-earned homes that vanish in a pen stroke at foreclosure, God’s promise to those who labor with and for Him is unshakeable. The fruit of their […]

Leadership and the Christian Officer

[…]is to glorify God. If we accept this duty, we will be single-minded and able to concentrate on the work to be done without being pushed and pulled by worry, fear, envy, and other concerns that prevent the full use of our abilities. God puts us where He wants us to serve Him. He will provide the talent to do whatever tasks He gives us. He will keep in perfect peace of mind one who fully trusts Him, regardless of circumstances (Is. 26:3; John 14:27; Phil. 4:4-8). Finally, in this life the Christian is a witness to the world that […]

Leadership by Example

[…]the mind and the soul. I have learned over the years that the best way to address them is to work on what you can know about yourself and your preparations, rather than on what you cannot know. Soldiers cannot predict in advance their performance in battle, but in a very clearheaded way, informed by the experiences of the millions who have gone before, they can focus on who they must be, and from that character what they must be able to do, to be successful in combat, to meet the officers’ obligations as warriors, as servants, as professionals and […]

Leadership Excellence

[…]it are sometimes immense. While we tend to discount the toil, leadership remains yeoman’s work and demands absolute dedication, focused effort, and most importantly, great strength of character. Leaders must understand that the profession of arms is an altogether unique endeavor, a true “calling” and, in many ways, a spiritual undertaking. They must recognize the true nature of the enterprise, acknowledge the spiritual dimension of their service, and appreciate the motives and expectations of their subordinates. Service members are generally distinguished by their deep conviction and sense of duty, and by their confidence in the integrity of the organizations to […]

Leadership Moments: Are You Leading?

[…]15:1) When project goals are seemingly being thwarted, do you entertain the idea that God can also work through this opposition? (Romans 8:28, Acts 8:1)   More leadership articles on the website Courageous Command: Beyond Battlefield Boldness Lessons in Leadership…from a Squadron Janitor Leadership […]

Man of the In-Between

[…]we complained. In fact, we begged. But time after time “negotiation” failed. Nothing seemed to work. Until one day one of us gathered the courage to stand up to him. Lying flat on his back Jimmy experienced an amazing change of perspective. He suddenly saw the logic in leaving the little people alone. Bullies never seem to quit until someone takes the initiative to stand between them and their victims. Recall Goliath, or Hitler, or Saddam, or the devil himself. The Christian warrior is the “man of the in-between.” With mind and heart committed to righteous principle, he offers himself […]

Ministry Snapshot

[…]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).   I. Time, Talent, Treasure: Academies 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 […]

Mortal Enemies

[…]would give anything to retract my actions at Pearl Harbor, but it is impossible. Instead, I work at striking the death-blow to the basic hatred that infests the human heart and causes such tragedies. And that hatred cannot be uprooted without Jesus Christ. He is the only answer. Japanese commander Mitsuo Fuchida died in 1976. This is his testimony as taken from the Peachtree Corners Baptist Church newspaper by permission of Col. John M. […]

OCF Council Elections Now Underway

[…]in the military society. As an expression of my commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and to His work in the military society, I will participate actively and prayerfully in the ministry of OCF with my time, talents, spiritual gifts, and financial resources. I further commit, by God’s grace, to live my life as an example consistent with biblical guidelines.'” This change to OCF’s Statement of Participation, contained in Article V of the OCF Constitution, reaffirms OCF’s commitment to minister to the entire military society and ensures we OCF members live our lives consistent with biblical guidelines, so as to […]

Part of an amazing lineage

[…]of Christ. With autumn’s arrival on the horizon, as you settle into the routines of school and work, I challenge you to carefully consider where the Lord has you, who He has brought into your life, and then answer if you are living each day for Christ. Rejoice that you have been bought at a price and are now part of this amazing lineage.  As we stand at the foot of the Cross, have we lived up to a life worthy of the call (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:20)? The God of the Universe, creator of all things, has invited […]

Reality Check

[…]accomplish, how closely do we follow God’s divine guidance? Yes, we should have passion for our work, and we should strive to do things in community with others, but does our agenda cloud our thinking? The desire of the children of Israel, returning home after seventy years of exile, was to see the temple rebuilt. As far as Israel was concerned, restoration of the temple was job one-a goal which the governmental heads and the spiritual leadership were willing to cooperate to achieve. Despite man’s best intentions and even focused passion, we are reminded that God has a divine perspective: […]

Satisfaction

[…](Ret.) “‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work'” (John 4:34). What happens when the Christian leader stays true to the task and maintains focus despite signs of indifference or rejection? He finds satisfaction in a job well done and his efforts benefit those he is called to serve. The courageous leader who stays true to the task ultimately helps others become better people. From a close reading of John 4 Jesus models leadership that bridges cultural divides and does not quit at signs of rejection. The Samaritan woman […]

Share this spiritual gift with your teen

[…]is inspiring, sets a fast pace. Awesome lake, crystal clear, cold water. Humbling to witness His work here. Fellowship is special that night. Rick has a gift. A true gift. The boys build a camp fire in the pit, hang out that night. Thinking about our last night still to come. Whitewater rafting today. Great breakfast, hummingbirds are incredible. Load the trucks and head out. Brian and I, Audley and Doug, George and Jonathan and Chase (our boat guide) make a crew. Poly-suits keep us warm-extremely cold water in the Arkansas River. Beautiful day. Noah’s Ark company. Good, clean staff. […]

Situational Awareness

[…]a spiritual phalanx in the form of your OCF Bible study group. Whether in your neighborhood or at work, the sense of Christian community and accountability these small groups afford is invaluable. Do not neglect to form these groups in your units during long-term deployments. 2 – Live and Lead as a Christian.Be salt and light to those around you. Speak the truth expressed in the Bible. The implied task is to know the Bible, another benefit of your study groups. Then live as you speak, setting the moral example. Realize you won’t always be popular. Because you are a […]

Soldiers of Faith: Washington

[…]gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of (Thine honor) that I may not do my own works, but wait on Thee, and discharge those weighty duties which thou requirest of me. . .Thou gavest thy Son to die for me; and hast given me assurance of salvation, upon my repentance and sincere endeavor to conform my life to His holy precepts and example. These are not the words of a deist. These are the words of a man that walked and lived to honor God. Washington had an impact upon his men immediately upon his assumption […]

Some Thoughts for Christians

[…]govern and interact with each other, He is far more concerned with our relationship to Him and the work of His Church. Knowing our limitations, God knows that whatever political systems we set up, we’ll mess them up. Conversely, no matter how bad certain systems may be, in most instances good people can do pretty good things through or in spite of the systems. Thus we can conclude that any policy or political philosophy that promises utopian results is doomed to failure–and will likely cause much mischief along the way. Because of the limitations of human nature we can also […]

Speak my language

[…]under stress. Our love story is no exception. Rob and I met at a church in northern Virginia while working in Washington, D.C.—he stationed at Coast Guard headquarters while I was an editor at a nonprofit on Capitol Hill. We hit it off, and entered a very intentional courtship. Ten months later we were married—and two days later driving to Rob’s next Coast Guard duty station in Homer, Alaska.   We were as committed to a Christ-centered marriage as any couple could be. Compatibility testing: check. Premarital mentoring: done. Stack of books on Christian marriage: read. Somehow, however, The 5 […]

Spiritual Battle Plans

[…]temptation and walk victoriously in the Christian life. Because a robust Christian support network is often not available on deployments, godly ambassadorship during these times requires intentional vision and endurance. There are also other factors that cause godly ambassadorship on deployment to be more difficult: an increased operational tempo, less sleep, irregular eating habits, more demands/stress, and less alone time for spiritual quiet times. All these dynamics wear on one’s emotional and spiritual health. If purposeful steps are not taken to counter this situation, a person’s spiritual world/foundations can truly be rocked. As military leaders, we go to great lengths […]

Starting an OCF Small Group Fellowship

[…]before launching on your own strength. 3. Invite initial participants. Face-to-face invitations work best. Using flyers, bulletin board announcements, or e-mail works better after you have an established group going. 4. Be prepared. Take a look at the many resources available on this OCF website to help you–so take your time and look around! After the First Meeting After the first meeting you’ll have a better idea of what the group prefers/needs. Is childcare an issue? Find a creative way to mind the kids while the adults study the Bible. Is proximity to dinner a problem? Think about having a potluck […]

Strong to the Finish

[…]allies but enemies as you fight to faithfully fulfill your responsibilities. Remember, God is at work in the midst of your struggles, helping you learn more about the love, strength, wisdom, and peace that only He can provide. Dan is the president of Encouragement FM, a former Christian camp director, and a past chair of the CCCA Board of Directors. This article first appeared in the March/April 2005 issue of InSite magazine. Used by […]

The Chaplaincy

[…]this we have the blessed opportunity to tell them about the God who died for them. I think of our work much like the ministry of Phillip in the book of Acts. He was called to leave the comfort zone of fruitful ministry in Samaria. The Angel of the Lord told him, “Take a walk on a deserted dusty road” (my paraphrase). Phillip obeys the angel’s voice and he is vectored to an Ethiopian government official ready to hear the words of salvation. In much the same way, as chaplains walk among the tents, eat in the chow halls, and […]

The Heartbeat of OCF

[…]OCF website. Growing OCF Groups Caution: if the group gets too large to comfortably fit the venue (work meeting or home living rooms) the experience can become less personal and the motivation to bring in new participants diminishes.  If your group has more than twelve regular attendees each week, you should pray about dividing into two groups–if, when, and how. Knowing the importance of small, growing OCF groups to the lives of our military and their families should motivate us to overcome the temptation to let our OCF group become complacent.  The number of OCF groups at a civilian locale […]

The Jungles of War

[…]for me, was most unsettling. I began to ask, “What can I pray for in regard to my enemies and my work that will make sense?” I struggled with this question for several months, but nothing was resolved. Try as I might, I couldn’t make sense of my calling, my feelings, my day-to-day actions as a front line infantry officer. In June of 1966 this came to a head as we were briefed on an upcoming operation that threatened a large number of casualties on both sides. I went to the Lord the night before we were to land on […]

Three Looks

[…]looks as you prepare to move forward. Your prayerful reflections, coupled with a humble “I’m a work in progress… I have not arrived” attitude, can be powerful tools in God’s hand as you seek to glorify Him on your leadership journey. Lt Col Frickenstein is currently serving as commander of the 15th Services Squadron at Hickam AFB. He has been active in OCF since 1988. He and his wife, Kristi, have two […]

Three Words

[…]the Kingship of God–“stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Al retired from the Army after 27 years of service, was a Commandant of Cadets at Culver Military Academy for 10 years, and currently lives in Carlisle, PA, where he and his wife, Sandra, are active in OCF and the U.S. Army War College chapel. He has been active in OCF since coming to Christ as a West Point Plebe in 1960. Address by Colonel […]

Time, Talent, Treasure: OCF small group fellowships

[…]Mark Treen believes God has given him a rare opportunity to be a missionary to those he lives, works and eats with in the ocean depths, an environment where the difficulties crew members face are more acute. The challenge, he says, is “letting Christ’s light shine when you feel like you’re surrounded by darkness,” and instead trusting in Christ’s promise that, “the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say” (Luke 12:12). And just as submariners have unique opportunities to illuminate Jesus Christ to others in the ocean depths, opportunities abound as well once back on […]
Read more » Time, Talent, Treasure: OCF small group fellowships

Time, Talent, Treasure: ROTC

[…]of ministry” at White Sulphur Springs before taking “a huge step of faith to leave a life and work we loved” as well as the lifelong relationships formed there. “I mean, a farmhouse on 1000 acres with a pond for our three boys – who would leave that?” said Rob. Yet both sensed God “asking us to trust Him – and see how He could use our faithfulness.” Passionate about a ministry to the military and investing in college-age students, their leap of faith led them to God’s open door of full-time staff with the Cru Military ministry’s Valor at […]

Truth and the Christian Leader

[…]as He saw fit. How might the Christian leader apply the lesson of Ananias and Sapphira to the work place? I can recall saying or hearing others say: “I have to make an example of this one.” Why is it necessary for a leader to take extreme positions? What does the practice of truth and maintaining high standards do for the Christian leader? In a word: Everything! The leader often finds himself or herself in a position to judge matters. 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages diligence, which leads to right decisions and honorable handling of truth. Essentially, practicing truth helps one […]

Ways to Give

[…] ministries of Officers’ Christian Fellowship. It is vital to the continuation of the work that the Lord has given all of us. To get started on one of these options today, or for more information, please contact me at […]

What Are Parents to Do?

[…]the return to Afghanistan would be mentally tough for a period, we remained excited to hear of his work and his challenges. And we prayed, and prayed, and prayed. If you make the Most High your dwelling–even the Lord who is my refuge–then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. Darren returned, and was disappointed to find out his platoon had […]

What Are You Reading?

[…]subscribe to the concept of being born as a leader (or not). Second, servant leadership is hard work and involves significant time and investment in the development of those you lead. Finally, to be truly successful as a servant leader requires deep humility and the intentional suppression of ego and pride. This is particularly difficult for senior leaders who are afforded significant privileges, deference, and accolades–especially in our results-driven culture. I believe it would be well worth your time to grab at least a few of the following recommended books and study them carefully. You will certainly see things in […]

What is Required of Me?

[…]double minded. The essence of integrating faith and profession is in finding a practical and workable response to Paul’s exhortation: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”(Romans 12:2). Ambassadorship 201 Influence other leaders; healthy relationships and shared experiences. As your leadership experience and reputation grow, you will be selected for positions where you impact the organization by leading the leaders rather than the doers. An OCF installation-level ministry is like this as well, where your job is to encourage others through relationships of trust in an environment […]

With the Love of a Clanging Cymbal

[…]leading him in the sinner’s prayer. I eased back in my office chair with a sense of pride at my work for the cause of Christ. Looking for additional opportunities to “help,” I asked why he was getting a divorce in the first place. His response included a detailing of his wife’s two one-night-stands, the second one resulting in a pregnancy with baby due any day.   My self-righteousness abated and my soul began to ache at the realization of my sin, completely jumping to conclusions when I didn’t have all the facts.  Mahatma Gandhi, a leader of India who […]

You Are Commissioned

[…]you were “commissioned” in our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard to do the work of our Lord as professional military servants, as a family, and as ambassadors of Jesus Christ. The crises in your lives will be hard, but they are for His purposes and for the purpose of shaping you in His image. So praise the Lord as you take on this new “commission” and this next assignment that the Lord has prepared for you. In the words of the apostle Paul, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: […]

DC – National Capital Region, West

[…]AJ – 703.244.5931; Dana – 831.277.4395 Contact us regarding home and work fellowship groups in NCR West, including the Pentagon. Join us for a monthly Open House Military-friendly Christian Fellowship (MCF) featuring fellowship, food, song, study, and prayer. We aim for “first Fridays”, but please confirm via telephone or […]
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