“Camouflage Christian”: Living for Christ while serving in the military
Release Date: 09/13/2023
The “hidden epidemic” among military children / June 2025
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
OCF MINISTRY NEWS Sign up for summer programs at the Conference Centers: Visit ocfusa.org/CCexperience to find the right program and week for you at Spring Canyon (Buena Vista, Colo.) or White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, Pa.). Connect with OCFers at USNA and USAFA: OCF at USAFA: Pre-Inprocessing Day Reception (Class of 2029), 24 June, Monument, Colo. USNA OCF: Class of 2029 Open House, 25 June, Annapolis, Md. Volunteer as a Local Leader at one of these locations: Columbus AFB, Fort Campbell, Fort Drum, Fort...
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How Biblical community shaped two military leaders / Crosspoint Highlights
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Crosspoint Highlights: Big ideas, short episodes … for your busy schedule Guests: Joshua and Lindsey Bowen From Episode 54: “The importance of small group fellowship.” Highlight Summary: In this Crosspoint Highlight, Joshua and Lindsey Bowen reflect on the lasting impact of biblical community, mentorship, and servant leadership during their time in the military. They share how their early experiences in a diverse OCF small group at Fort Carson shaped their spiritual maturity and inspired them to pour into cadets at West Point years later. From late-night Bible studies to...
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Trusting our God of hope during grief / May 2025
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
OCF MINISTRY NEWS Sign up for summer programs at the Conference Centers: Visit ocfusa.org/CCexperience to find the right program and week for you at Spring Canyon (Buena Vista, Colo.) or White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, Pa.). Free Bible studies for OCFers and groups: Visit ocfusa.org/library to download, dive in, and leave a rating to help others discover one of these 18 impactful resources. Help us keep the OCF community connected: If you or someone in your OCF circle has celebrated a birth, wedding, or experienced a loss since 1 March,...
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How can you serve in the military and love your enemies? Crosspoint Highlights
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Welcome to Crosspoint Highlights: Big ideas. Short episodes. For your busy schedule. Guest: Col Chet Arnold, USMC (Ret.) From Episode 46: “May a Christian Serve in the Military?” Highlight Summary: Can a Christian serve in the military and still follow Jesus’ command to love their enemies? In this Crosspoint Highlight, Col Chet Arnold, USMC (Ret.), tackles the difficult topic of killing in combat from a Biblical perspective. Drawing from both the Old and New Testaments, Chet explains why understanding the sanctity of life and the God-given authority of government is...
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From Science to Scripture: What did Moses know about bacteria?
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Quick links: Episode summary: In this bonus episode, Jay Seegert, managing director of the Starting Point Project, shares his journey from a Christian upbringing to becoming a prominent speaker on defending the Christian worldview. He discusses the importance of understanding the differences between a biblical and a Christian worldview, emphasizing the need for clarity in definitions to engage in meaningful discussions. Jay also highlights the challenges of defending faith in a secular environment and the significance of grounding beliefs in Scripture rather than external...
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Graciously defending the Christian worldview / Plus, SkillBridge internships / April 2025
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
OCF MINISTRY NEWS Staff changes across the OCF team: Visit ocfusa.org/job-openings to learn more about vacant positions as a result of OCF's ongoing job moves. Sign up for summer programs at the Conference Centers: Visit ocfusa.org/CCexperience to find the right program and week for you at Spring Canyon (Buena Vista, Colo.) or White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, Pa.). Take the next step in growing as a Local Leader: Visit to learn more about the upcoming OCF LEAD! Local Ministry Leadership Track at Spring Canyon this June. ASK...
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Special episode: Global Town Hall 2025 / March 2025
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
This month’s special episode enables you to listen to the Global Town Hall, which OCF hosted on 8 February at its Home Office in Colorado Springs, Colo., and over Zoom for members around the world. You’ll hear from OCF Council President Dale Holland, OCF CEO/Executive Director Scott Fisher, Director of Field Operations Colin Wooten, Local Leaders Josh and Lindsey Bowen, USMA OCF Field Staff Bob Phillips, and OCF Conference Center Directors Paul Robyn and Kim Hawthorne. After the ministry updates from these individuals, attending members asked a variety of questions of the...
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Finding a home away from home / Plus, utilizing the OCF Handbook / February 2025
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
OCF MINISTRY NEWS Watch the latest OCF Global Town Hall: Visit ocfusa.org/gth2025 to watch the Town Hall. Serve and adventure at an OCF Conference Center this spring: Make this March a meaningful mix of service, growth, and adventure through one of these two opportunities. Spring Break Service Project Week, 10-16 March, White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, Pa.) Spring Break Service and Adventure Week, 21-30 March, Spring Canyon (Buena Vista, Colo.) Support OCF during your trips to the grocery store: Visit...
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Retired submariner shares the power of persevering prayer / Plus, integrating church and OCF involvement / January 2025
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
OCF MINISTRY NEWS OCF Global Town Hall: to learn more about and register for the next iteration of this annual, virtual event, scheduled for 8 February. Regional ROTC retreats: to find the next regional ROTC retreat near you. Annual impact report: To hear more about Freddy’s OCF experience and other stories of impact from our conference centers, field locations, and more, download our Annual Impact Report by . Mentoring opportunities: If you’re interested in mentoring or being trained in mentoring and want to learn more, or contact Bill Rue...
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Bonus episode: Changing perspectives to overcome bitterness
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Show Notes In this bonus episode, Josh, Beth, and Corrie explore the challenges of bitterness and resentment in military marriages, highlighting the influence of faith, perspective shifts, and community support. They discuss the importance of diverse friendships, flexibility in family life, and seeking counseling. Emphasizing teamwork, Beth and Corrie share strategies for balancing responsibilities and overcoming feelings of isolation and resentment. Beth introduces insights from her new book for military spouses called while Corrie shares about her dynamic Instagram platform,...
info_outlineGot an idea for a guest or topic?
If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to [email protected].
Show Notes
So many conversations within the OCF community circle back to this question: How ought Christians in the military integrate their faith and profession? One week after graduating from high school, CW4 Rich Smith, USA (Ret.), embarked on 24 years of military service that provided him experiences that answer that very question. Upon retiring from the Army, Rich has developed a passion for encouraging other service members not to camouflage their faith in Christ during their years in the military.
In this episode, we discuss what hinders and helps Christians live out their faith in the military, his personal experiences with Christian fellowship during years on active duty, and more. He also shares about his book, Camouflaged Christian, which provides a deeper dive on the topics he discussed on Crosspoint. Rich now resides in his hometown of Rome, New York, with wife Teri and granddaughters Amerie, Elodie, and Maisy.
As you listen to this conversation with Rich, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:
- What motivates you to camouflage your faith while serving in the military context?
- How does Ephesians 6:10-20 encourage you to live out your faith in all areas of life?
- Rich shares a couple of personal anecdotes about how fellowship with other believers strengthened his walk during his time in the Army. What impact have you seen fellowship or the absence of it have in your own life?
- What Scripture can you commit to memory for the seemingly impossible tasks you’ll face at work?
- Rich talks about the value of turning to the Bible first in all circumstances. What things do you find yourself turning to first for encouragement, comfort, etc.?