June 2024, “Not wrong or right, just left or right”: Planning ahead for career transitions

Crosspoint Show Notes, June 2024: 

Today’s episode introduces a new format for the OCF Crosspoint podcast. Moving forward, each monthly episode will consist of three segments: OCF ministry news, an “Ask OCF” segment, and an interview with a guest about a particular topic or personal story. 

Read on for links and details from each of these three segments for June 2024. 

OCF MINISTRY NEWS 

• Volunteers needed for Fort Knox CST ministry: If interested in leading small groups for cadets during summer training at Fort Knox, particularly in July, reach out to Bob Deckard via [email protected] or to Larry Sherbondy via [email protected].    

• Conference Center summer programs begin: Visit ocfusa.org/experience to watch our newest video about opportunities at OCF’s two Conference Centers—White Sulphur Springs in Manns Choice, Pa., and Spring Canyon in Buena Vista, Colo. From there, check out each Conference Center’s website to learn more about summer programs and discounts available to first-time guests, active-duty military, and OCF Local Leaders.  

• SkillBridge opportunities now available at OCF: Visit ocfusa.org/skillbridge to check out OCF’s newest webpage about our new opportunities available through SkillBridge.  

• OCF small group spotlight: Maj Nathan Flack, USAF, serves as the Local Leader for Barksdale AFB OCF and shared what question his group wrestled with recently. What’s your small group studying? What questions are you wrestling with? Let Courtney know by emailing her at [email protected]. 

ASK OCF 

OCF Council President Col Dale Holland, USAF (Ret.), answered some FAQs about Local Leaders and mentioned resources available online. Visit ocfusa.org/toolkit to access these resources. If you’d like to become a Local Leader or if you’ve not yet listed yourself on our online directory, visit ocfusa.org/list-me to do so.  

If you have a question that you want us to consider for a future “Ask OCF” segment, send an email to [email protected]. 

GUEST SPOTLIGHT 

Have you thought about what that next season of life might look like after military service?  What does it look like to have a Biblical approach when it comes to a career transition? And what does your identity have to do with this? 

This month, Josh sat down with Maj Gen Pete Peterson, USAF (Ret.) to discuss these questions. Pete is a co-founder of Caleb Challenge, an organization that uses Biblical principles to help men and women transition from military service to the next season that God has planned for them.  

Having experienced a career transition himself after 34 years of service in the Air Force, Pete shares his own lessons learned, Biblical principles for a career change, and details about Caleb Challenge. Caleb Challenge is hosting its next workshop at OCF’s White Sulphur Springs in Manns Choice, Pa., later this fall. Visit WSS’ website to learn more and register for this valuable 13-15 September workshop.  

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 we should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to [email protected]. 

POINTS TO PONDER 

As you listen to this conversation with Pete, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor: 

1. Consider Pete’s big question for those who will eventually transition out of a military career: What’s your real focus? 

2. How can you start preparing for your own career transition now? 

3. What does it mean to you to “include God in the process”? 

4. Why is our identity in Christ important to consider when going through a big life change like a career transition?