The OCF Local Fellowship

Colonel Jim Hougnon, United States Army (Ret.) OCF Director of Field Outreach

In previous articles, LtGen Fister and MG VanAntwerp discussed each of the three parts of the mission of OCF-Christian officers exercising biblical leadership to raise up a godly military--with a closer look at what a godly military would look like. I then wrote about the purpose and vision of OCF. These are the fundamentals of our ministry, and we hope that you have a good understanding of them and have taken them as your own.

You may now be wondering what this should look like at your local installation or aboard your ship. How does a local fellowship go about seeking a spiritually transformed military?

Seek God's Will

Start by seeking God's will for your base through the "Pray, Discover and Obey" process. Gather the OCF leadership for a committed time around the question, "How does God want to see this base spiritually transformed, and how can our local fellowship work alongside the chaplains and others as part of the transformation?" You might want to invite the base chaplain (or his representative) and leaders of other groups such as Cadence, CMF, Navigators, MCYM, and Protestant Women of the Chapel to participate in this process. The question is much bigger than just how many Bible studies to form or whether to plan a retreat. If you eagerly seek God's will for your installation and earnestly commit to do His will, be prepared for a mighty work. As an example, let me describe how the local fellowship at one base is effectively ministering to the military society.

Outreach on Base

This base has two OCF Bible studies that meet weekly. One of these studies includes singles, couples without children, and those who choose to hire baby-sitters during the Bible study time. The other group includes the entire family. The children meet with the adults for a whole-family activity, then they go to a different part of the house where one of the couples, or an older child takes care of them.

If these two Bible studies represented the entire OCF ministry at this base, that would be cause for rejoicing but much more could be done to minister effectively to all segments of the base. The good news is that this story does not stop here. Let's see what else this local fellowship is doi

One OCF member family arrived at the base and looked for a good Christian ministry to the children. Finding none, the couple worked with the chaplain to establish an AWANA program on base (AWANA is a nondenominational international ministry that helps churches organize clubs for training children and teenagers to serve God). AWANA now ministers to dozens of children and their families. Many of the leaders are OCF members.

Every Saturday morning at the base chapel you will find a group of two dozen men who come together to challenge and encourage one another. The group includes officers, enlisted, retired, and civilians. Not all are OCF members, but the group is spearheaded by OCFers. You don't have to look too hard to notice the three or four young men in orange jump suits. They are residents of the local military confinement facility. Members of the group meet with them every Saturday morning to provide them a biblical perspective on life. Christians on the base have informally changed the facility's name to the "refinement facility."

A short time ago, one of the OCF couples lost a child during pregnancy. The OCF community reached out and supported the couple in a God-honoring way. The couple has now begun a support effort for military couples around the country who have faced a similar experience.

Chapel Involvement

Additionally, the OCF community provides the mainstay for several base chapel services. Recently the base combined the Christian contemporary praise and worship service with the Gospel service to reduce the load on chaplains. When people in both congregations thought the merger would never work, OCF members were prominent in the group of leaders who determined to find a way to make it work. They joined to pray for God's guidance, devised a plan to blend the best parts of both services, and put the plan into action. The result is a strong, exciting, worshipful service that honors God. In addition, OCF is well represented on the various parish councils and groups such as PWOC and PMOC.

Follow God's Will

These Christian officers are exercising biblical leadership. As a result, they are seeing a more godly military at this base. I have not named the base-that is not important. What is important is that a group of Christian leaders at any base can come together and decide to follow God's will. When you do that, prepare to be amazed at what He will do.

Notes:

1. If you would like some information on how to start a local OCF fellowship, or how to see God's vision for your installation, contact your regional staff representative, or contact OCF Member Services at 1-800-424-1984.
2. For information on how to use the Pray, Discover and Obey process, download the publication by that name under "Articles" on the Resource page of the OCF website (ocfusa.org).