Finding a home away from home / Plus, utilizing the OCF Handbook / February 2025

 

 

OCF MINISTRY NEWS 

• Watch the latest OCF Global Town Hall: Visit ocfusa.org/gth2025 to watch the Town Hall. https://www.ocfusa.org/gth2025/ 

• 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.) https://www.whitesulphursprings.org/event/sbsp-week/  

• Spring Break Service and Adventure Week, 21-30 March, Spring Canyon (Buena Vista, Colo.) https://www.springcanyon.org/event/spring-break-service-and-adventure-week-2/  

• Support OCF during your trips to the grocery store: Visit our Ways to Give page and scroll to the bottom to see if a store near you is eligible for the Community Rewards Program. https://www.ocfusa.org/donate/  

ASK OCF 

Col Houstoun Waring, USAF (Ret.), who serves as OCF’s Central Regional Coordinator, answered this frequently asked question from another OCFer: Why did OCF develop a Handbook? Who should use it? How should people use it? 

To learn more about this impactful resource for military ministry, read the article about the Handbook’s background. https://www.ocfusa.org/2022/09/introducing-the-newest-tool-for-military-ministry-the-ocf-handbook/ 

Visit our website to access the online version of the OCF Handbook. https://www.ocfusa.org/handbook/  

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 

This month’s episode features not one but two guests: Lt Col Scott and Lisa Bedrosian, USAF (Ret.). The Bedrosians have been longtime supporters of White Sulphur Springs, OCF’s eastern Conference Center located in Manns Choice, Pa. Having had roles there as guests, staff, and volunteers over the years, Scott and Lisa recount some of their cherished memories made at WSS and share how God has used this special home away from home in their lives.  https://www.whitesulphursprings.org/  

The Bedrosians describe how WSS helped them navigate the challenges of military life through mentorship, Biblical teachings, and a sense of belonging. They share influential anecdotes, like being reminded of their identity as missionaries in uniform, keeping symbolic “rocks” with spiritual truths, and renaming chores “blessings” because of a simple spatula on a dining room table at WSS. Knowing the conference center’s spiritually rich and personally challenging programs might be intimidating to some, they also answer the frequently asked question: “But will I have fun?” 

Interested in having your own impactful experience at a Conference Center? Visit ocfusa.org/experience to learn more about White Sulphur Springs and its sister center Spring Canyon, located in Buena Vista, Colo. https://www.ocfusa.org/experience/  

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]. https://www.ocfusa.org/podcastguest/ 

POINTS TO PONDER 

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

1. When was a time you were able to truly step away from your daily rhythms to rest and spend time with the Lord?  

2. How did that experience affect your day-to-day life? 

3. The Bedrosians share a few examples of life-changing advice through connections made at WSS. What impactful advice have you received, and have you shared it with others? 

4. Scott calls a stay at WSS an “investment in your family and in your ministry.” What might be the difference that makes your average vacation that kind of investment instead?