Organizing for the Fight

Lieutenant General Bruce L. Fister, United States Air Force (Ret.)

Last month we talked about the "mainspring" of OCF and the effectiveness of our fight for the souls of men and women in the whole military society. We discussed the implications of evaluating what are essentially results that belong to God and said we can only evaluate the quality of our work and our obedience toward the assigned tasks of "planting" and "watering." From this point, if we want to be more effective through our obedience to the Lord's calling in OCF, we should consider how we are organized to obey that calling. So how is OCF organized to grow "Christian officers exercising biblical leadership to raise up a godly military?"

When we discuss our organization, we should discuss it in terms of our purpose, "To glorify God by uniting Christian officers for biblical fellowship and outreach, equipping and encouraging them to minister effectively in the military society." We should also consider God's Word with respect to the organization in His work.

Acts chapter six says that when the number of disciples was increasing, they appointed seven people to attend to the daily distribution of food to widows so the "Twelve" would not have to neglect the ministry of the Word and prayer.1 The seven formed a support function so other parts of the ministry could focus on their primary missions. Acts chapter thirteen says the Holy Spirit set aside Barnabas and Paul for a special work.2 Paul and Barnabas functioned much like our regional staff, encouraging leaders and fellowships and proclaiming the Word.

Daily, our OCF local fellowships, or other groups organized and led by OCF members, impact the greatest number of military people with more frequency than other parts of the ministry. Whether at home, in Iraq, in Afghanistan, aboard ship, or at another deployed location, the local fellowship is the heart of the OCF ministry. If this is true, then every other part of our ministry must, at least in part, contribute towards "planting" and "watering" in local fellowships.

Our regional staff provides direct support for our local fellowships. Most of these staff members are located in the areas of greatest military population like the Norfolk/Hampton Roads area. A few cover a particular region. Over the next couple of years, we will place more staff couples in other key strategic military communities. We desire to have OCF influence in every military center of mass across the country. For example, in 2005 we plan to place a couple in Washington to serve the National Capital Region and occasionally Europe.

The next greatest impact we can have on local fellowships is to have ministries that identify Christian officers and their families and equip and encourage them to be OCF leaders. This occurs most extensively in our Education Center ministries, Fort Leavenworth, Quantico Marine Base and Maxwell Air Force Base. Typically, military members at these locations are on stabilized tours. This allows an opportunity to concentrate on developing new leaders. Each Education Center ministry looks a little different, but they all have the common tasks of leading people to Christ, bringing in new members, equipping them with biblical tools for life in the military, and training them to exercise biblical leadership in follow-on assignments.

Our Academy and ROTC ministries perform functions similar to our Education Center ministries. They focus on evangelism and fundamental Christian training as well as on raising up future officers who are equipped to exercise biblical leadership once they are commissioned and enter our military forces.

Both active duty and retired families and singles need the opportunity to refresh and grow closer to the Lord. Our conference centers at White Sulphur Springs and Spring Canyon provide that opportunity. Conference centers are also direct supporters of all other parts of the OCF ministry, particularly ministry to young people and children through various outdoor programs. They are critical pillars in the OCF structure.

All of our ministries need information. Providing information on Christian living in our military is the prime responsibility of the OCF Communications and Publications ministry. OCF books, pamphlets, COMMAND magazine, and the OCF web site support every part of our ministry. The publications ministry is also critical in disseminating the OCF vision to you our members.

Our ministry would not run without administrative support, and guidance from our Council. The Home Office helps the other parts of the OCF ministry to carry out their responsibilities, and the Council sets the course for the ministry.

It takes the whole organization to make the OCF ministry effective, from the home office to all the staff in the field. You too, are Christ's ambassador and play an important role in this organization. Thank you for your part in advancing His kingdom in the military.

That brings us back to the Apostle Paul's words, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow."3 To God be the glory. May His kingdom come and His will be done in the United States military.

1 Acts 6:1-4, NIV 2 Acts 13:1-3, NIV 3 1 Cor. 3:6, NIV