August 2024: Seeing God’s hand during hardship; enlisted involvement in OCF; and OCF ministry news
Release Date: 08/07/2024
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,...
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November 2024: Overcoming bitterness; reaching out to ROTC; and OCF ministry news
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
OCF MINISTRY NEWS New Bible study available: Visit to access this newest study, A Faithful Approach to Hardship and Suffering, on our website. GivingTuesday fundraiser: Give the gift of Christlike leadership this GivingTuesday (3 Dec.) by visiting and donating now. Job opening at WSS: If you would like more information and/or an application for this ministry opportunity, contact the WSS Center Director Paul Robyn ([email protected]) or the WSS Director of Hospitality Susanne Pappal ([email protected]), or call the main office via...
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October 2024: Sharing your faith in the military; OCF membership trends; and OCF ministry news
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Show Notes OCF MINISTRY NEWS Job opening at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy: Contact PK Carlton () or Marci Morris () for more info, or visit to learn more about and apply for the opening at USCGA. Applications are open until 31 Oct. In His Service Retreat for women in uniform: Visit for more details about this retreat coming up in Jefferson, Texas. OCF Mid-Atlantic & Northeast Fall Retreat: Visit to learn more and register, and email any questions to the Chiaravallottis at [email protected]. Winter Retreats...
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Bonus episode: Seeing the five fingerprints of God in your life
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
In this episode, COL Andy MacLean, USA (Ret.), the coordinator for Latin America at the Association for Christian Conferences, Teaching and Services (ACCTS ()), discusses the mission of ACCTS and its work in developing Christian leaders in the armed forces worldwide. He shares his experiences working with military communities in Latin America and the challenges and opportunities he encounters. Andy also highlights the upcoming AMCF World Conference and the need for financial support and prayer for the conference's success. Andy then shares his testimony and the five...
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September 2024: The global military community; veteran involvement in OCF; and OCF ministry news
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
OCF MINISTRY NEWS Fort Knox OCF update: Continue praying for the ROTC cadets as they’ve returned to their campuses and begun new semesters. To learn more about and/or get involved with OCF’s ROTC ministry, visit Connected print newsletters: If you don’t receive this biannual piece in your mailbox this fall, be sure to update your info via so that we don’t miss you next spring. This fall’s newsletter will also be available online at Ted & Beverly Kaiser: Contact this newest couple on the OCF team by emailing OCF...
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Bonus episode: Finding God's purpose in suffering
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Show Notes In this bonus episode of OCF Crosspoint, podcast host Josh Jackson continues his discussion with CH(CPT) Michael Will, USA (Ret.), focusing on the theme of hardship and suffering. The conversation delves into defining suffering, recognizing its various sources—such as persecution, sin, and the actions of others—and understanding its impact. They address the dangers of comparison, which can undermine endurance, and emphasize the importance of acknowledging our lack of control as a starting point for discovering God's purpose in suffering. The episode offers...
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August 2024: Seeing God’s hand during hardship; enlisted involvement in OCF; and OCF ministry news
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Show Notes OCF MINISTRY NEWS New hires; jobs still available on OCF team: While couples have stepped forward to fill open positions at USMA and USCGA on an interim basis, the application window at both West Point and the Coast Guard Academy is now extended to 31 October with an expected start date in the summer of 2025. Fall programs await at Spring Canyon and White Sulphur Springs: Jump-start your career transition with a weekend of interactive work, group discussions, and personal exercises, all facilitated by retired military leaders with over 200 years of...
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July 2024: Modeling biblical humility; Christian chaplain challenges; and OCF ministry news
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Show Notes OCF MINISTRY NEWS OCF purchased a new staff home at Spring Canyon: To contribute to OCF's purchase of this house, . OCF is expanding efforts in ROTC ministry with a new job opening at The Citadel: To learn more about the Council’s approval of this opportunity and/or . July marks the halfway point of OCF’s conference center ministry: to learn more about programs and opportunities available later this summer and fall. The AMCF World Conference 2024 in Brazil is coming up: This transformative opportunity to connect with other military...
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June 2024, “Not wrong or right, just left or right”: Planning ahead for career transitions
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
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...
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An OCF Milestone Moment: The Inaugural Global Town Hall
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
In this special episode of OCF Crosspoint, you’re going to hear audio from the inaugural OCF Global Town Hall, which was broadcasted live on 10 February from the new Home Office in Colorado Springs, Colo. The first voice that you’re going to hear is OCF Council President Col Dale Holland, USAF (Ret.). He and OCF’s CEO / Executive Director, Col Scott Fisher, USAF (Ret.), started by discussing the impactful journey and future visions for OCF. After their opening remarks, the remaining hour or so was used as a Q&A time. During the Q&A portion, you’ll also hear the voice of LTC...
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OCF MINISTRY NEWS
New hires; jobs still available on OCF team: While couples have stepped forward to fill open positions at USMA and USCGA on an interim basis, the application window at both West Point and the Coast Guard Academy is now extended to 31 October with an expected start date in the summer of 2025. To learn more and apply, visit our job openings page.
Fall programs await at Spring Canyon and White Sulphur Springs:
Caleb Challenge Career Transition Strategies Workshop, 13-15 September, at WSS: Jump-start your career transition with a weekend of interactive work, group discussions, and personal exercises, all facilitated by retired military leaders with over 200 years of combined leadership and life-coaching experience.
Climb Together, September 2024, at SC: This three-day wilderness experience, complete with outdoor activities, campfires, spectacular mountain vistas and events, is tailored to meet the needs of busy families who yearn to “Reconnect in the Rockies.”
Parent-Youth Adventure Weekends, October-November 2024, at WSS: Designed for one parent and one child, these weekends are an opportunity to build memories that will last a lifetime.
ASK OCF
TSgt Ryan Padgett, USAF (Ret.), answered the FAQ: Is OCF only for officers? Ryan shares about his own experience with joining OCF and encourages other enlisted service members to get involved, too.
Interested in getting involved in OCF? Fill out our membership form and/or find an OCF study near you.
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
CH(CAPT) Michael Will, USA (Ret.), spoke on this month’s episode about hardship and suffering, topics which also served as his focus while he was the speaker for a week of Summer R&R at White Sulphur Springs last month.
Having enlisted in 1992 and later commissioned as a chaplain, Michael has also pastored churches in Ohio and Canada. He currently serves as the associate pastor for discipleship at Grace Evangelical Congregational Church in Knox, Pa.
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 Michael, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:
- What personal experiences have shaped your definition of suffering?
- How have you seen God use suffering in your own life and in the lives of others?
- What Bible verses encourage you in the midst of hardship?
- Michael talks about prayer as “the most effective tool” in his toolkit. What additional tools can you use when facing hard times?