November 2024: Overcoming bitterness; reaching out to ROTC; and OCF ministry news
Release Date: 11/06/2024
What's happening in ROTC that most OCF members don't see
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Guest Spotlight: Approximately 60% of active-duty officers commission through ROTC programs at more than 1,500 colleges and universities—making campus ministry to cadets and midshipmen a strategic mission field. In this episode of the OCF Crosspoint podcast, we hear from John Hoyman, OCF’s Director of ROTC Ministry and a 30-year Army veteran (Active Duty, National Guard, and Army Reserve), about the renewed vision and momentum in ROTC outreach. John shares his personal connection to OCF, why evangelism and discipleship are central to his vision, what he is witnessing spiritually...
info_outline
Accelerate change or lose: A futurist's guide to Biblical leadership
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Guest Spotlight Today’s episode features more of the conversation between Crosspoint host Josh Jackson and Lt Gen Clint Hinote, USAF (Ret.). Within his 35-year career as a fighter pilot, military strategist, and senior leader, Clint also served as a futurist for the Air Force prior to retiring in 2023. He is now a professor of policy analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy. Clint breaks down how to think strategically about the future without getting paralyzed by uncertainty, how to read the signals of change, and how to communicate vision. Whether you're leading in...
info_outline
A new take on the “armor of God”: The power of fighting as a unit
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Guest Spotlight Today's episode features a conversation between Crosspoint host Josh Jackson and LTC Brittany Simmons, USA (Ret.). Brittany served 20 years in the Army Military Police Corps, including deployment to Iraq as a platoon leader from 2004-2005. In this episode, Brittany challenges the common individualistic reading of the Armor of God passage in Ephesians 6. Drawing from her combat experience and understanding of Roman military formations, she explains why Paul's analogy was always meant to be understood not only individually, but also collectively—as a unit linking...
info_outline
Christmastime reflections & New Year expectations with CEO/Executive Director Scott Fisher
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
Today’s episode features Col Scott Fisher, USAF (Ret.), who serves as OCF’s CEO and executive director. Throughout his 27 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, Scott and his wife Christie were involved in OCF ministry as Local Leaders across the globe, on OCF Council, and to our chaplains. Scott joins Crosspoint host Josh Jackson to share about the meaning of the Christmas story, to address those facing the unique challenges of military life during the holiday season, and to discuss God’s faithfulness to individuals and to the OCF ministry. After also sharing some expectations...
info_outline
“Anchored & armed”: Meet women's ministry podcast hosts Naomi & Mackenzie
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
OCF MINISTRY NEWS Support widows and widowers across OCF this GivingTuesday: Your gift—large or small—directly provides opportunities for widowed members of the OCF family to find comfort, community, and Christ-centered encouragement at our Conference Centers. Visit ocfusa.org/givingtuesday to learn more and donate now. Read the latest Annual Impact Report: Visit ocfusa.org/air to check out financial reports, members’ stories of impact, and year-in-review reports from OCF Service Academy & Gateways, Regional Coordinators, and Conference Centers. ...
info_outline
“No perfect leaders, no perfect lives”: 5 common qualities of Biblical leaders
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
OCF MINISTRY NEWS If you are interested in this opportunity at White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, Pa.), contact WSS Center Director Paul Robyn (wssdirector@ocfusa.org) or WSS Director of Hospitality Susanne Pappal (wssoffice@ocfusa.org) or call (814) 623-5583 for further information and an application. Your gift—large or small—directly provides opportunities for widowed members of the OCF family to find comfort, community, and Christ-centered encouragement at our Conference Centers. Visit ocfusa.org/givingtuesday to learn more and donate now. Register for a...
info_outline
Leadership Micro-series: A leader’s responsibility to care for people / Crosspoint Highlights
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
In the final episode of this Crosspoint Highlights micro-series on leadership, Col Jassen Bluto, USAF (Ret.), shares his third core principle—caring—and what it truly means to care for the people you lead. Far from being sentimental, Bluto explains that genuine care is a leader’s responsibility to meet both the physical and emotional needs of those under their command. Drawing from his military experience, he shares how simple, compassionate acts—like ensuring subordinates have proper equipment or recognizing when someone needs time to regroup—can transform a unit’s morale and...
info_outline
Leadership Micro-series: Four attributes of respect / Crosspoint Highlights
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
In part two of this Crosspoint Highlights micro-series on leadership, Col Jassen Bluto, USAF (Ret.), explores the second core principle—respect—and breaks it down into four key expressions: respect for your unit, for each other, for yourself, and for the authority entrusted to you. He explains that genuine respect begins with love for the people you serve alongside and extends to humility in how you lead them. Bluto cautions against the pride that can accompany rank or privilege, urging leaders instead to see their authority as a responsibility to mentor, develop, and care for others....
info_outline
Leadership Micro-series: Being a trustworthy leader / Crosspoint Highlights
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
In this first part of the Crosspoint Highlights micro-series on leadership, Col Jassen Bluto, USAF (Ret.), unpacks the foundational principle of trust. He explains that true leadership requires both character and competence: the moral integrity that inspires confidence and the professional skill that earns respect. Drawing from personal experience as a squadron commander, Bluto discusses how accountability, care for people, and technical excellence work together to build trust within a team. He shares real-life examples of mentoring, correction, and difficult personnel decisions, showing that...
info_outline
"Good leadership lifts others”: Practical truths for Biblical leadership
OCF Crosspoint Podcast
OCF MINISTRY NEWS Keep an eye out for this fall’s Connected print newsletter: A digital copy of the newsletter is also available online at ocfusa.org/connected Serve as the ministry support volunteer position: Check out the full volunteer listing for details and the application. Calling all female cadets & mids: Connect with your peers via OCF Sisters in Service’s monthly Zoom calls. Find out more on SIS’ Instagram: Register for a Winter Retreat session at one of OCF’s Conference Centers: 20-27...
info_outlineOCF MINISTRY NEWS
-
New Bible study available: Visit ocfusa.org/suffering 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 ocfusa.org/givingtuesday 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 (wssdirector@ocfusa.org) or the WSS Director of Hospitality Susanne Pappal (wssoffice@ocfusa.org), or call the main office via 814-623-5583. Visit ocfusa.org/job-openings to learn more about or to apply for the new facilities director position at White Sulphur Springs in Pennsylvania.
-
Winter Retreats at OCF Conference Centers: Visit whitesulphursprings.org/winter-retreat to register for one of White Sulphur Springs’ Winter Retreat sessions, or visit springcanyon.org/winter-retreat to register for one of Spring Canyon’s Winter Retreat sessions.
-
Ministry update from MMI OCF: Visit ocfusa.org/directory to learn more about and connect with local fellowships like the one at MMI in Alabama.
ASK OCF
Lt Col Larry Sherbondy, USAF (Ret.), who serves as the OCF Director of ROTC Ministry, answered this question from another OCFer: How much time might be involved in participating in or starting an ROTC OCF group?
Many resources and opportunities await those interested in plugging into ROTC ministry. Visit ocfusa.org/rotc to get in touch with Larry, check out upcoming ROTC events, and more.
If you have a question that you want us to consider for a future “Ask OCF” segment, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org.
GUEST SPOTLIGHT
Today’s guest spotlight features two military spouses: Beth Runkle and Corrie Reeter. Beth and her husband currently serve with Cru Military, and she recently published a book called “Another Move, God?: 30 Encouragements to Embrace Your Life as a Military Wife.” Corrie is a blogger with a dynamic following on Instagram as @ajoyfulmilspouse, where she and her followers celebrate the uniqueness, blessings, and adventures of military marriage and family life.
Speaking from their experiences as military spouses, Beth and Corrie discuss the bitterness that may arise for some military spouses as they experience deployments, moves, and more. In the course of this conversation, we reference Beth’s list of 10 ways to overcome bitterness and resentment, which you can view here.
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 podcast@ocfusa.org.
POINTS TO PONDER
As you listen to this conversation with Beth and Corrie, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:
-
When was a time you personally experienced bitterness in your life as a military service member and/or spouse?
-
How did you overcome that bitterness?
-
In what ways is the military life a sanctifying one?
-
What is the value of counting your blessings, entrusting everything to the Lord, and maintaining an eternal perspective?