OCF MINISTRY NEWS

Apply for the youth program manager position: If you are interested in this opportunity at White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, Pa.), contact WSS Center Director Paul Robyn ([email protected]) or WSS Director of Hospitality Susanne Pappal ([email protected]) or call (814) 623-5583 for further information and an application.

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.

Register for a Winter Retreat session at one of OCF's Conference Centers:

• 20-27 December, 28 December-4 January at Spring Canyon in Buena Vista, Colo.
• 21-26 December, 27-30 December, 30 December-2 January at White Sulphur Springs in Manns Choice, Pa.

GUEST SPOTLIGHT

Today's episode continues the conversation between Crosspoint host Josh Jackson and Lt Gen Clint Hinote, USAF (Ret.). Listen to part 1 here.

In this portion, Clint talks about common qualities of Biblical leaders, the cost of leadership, prayer habits, and practical advice. He closes the episode with reminders that the Lord works in and through imperfect leaders, and an openness to answer His calls to lead may bring great cost but may also bring great reward.

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 Clint, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

1. What leaders in the Bible do you admire and why?
2. How does the way God used broken leaders in Scripture encourage you to lead for His glory despite your own brokenness?
3. Which of the five principles Clint mentions do you struggle with most?
4. In the midst of your leadership role(s), how would you describe your prayer life?
5. How is the cost of leadership actually a cost for everyone?
6. Have you felt isolated as a leader? How did you work through that?

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 trust. Rooted in a Christ-centered approach to leadership, Bluto reminds listeners that when leaders genuinely care for their people, they strengthen both the mission and the hearts of those who serve alongside them.

If you'd like to listen to the full interview, titled "Practice what we profess: Three leadership principles for the Christian in the military," it can be found here.

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. Through stories and reflection, he illustrates how leaders who model humility and honor those they lead can transform struggling teams, cultivate trust, and ultimately glorify God through their leadership.

If you'd like to listen to the full interview, titled "Practice what we profess: Three leadership principles for the Christian in the military," it can be found here.

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 trustworthy leadership isn't about authority or manipulation, but about inspiring others through consistency, humility, and faithfulness in both life and work.

If you'd like to listen to the full interview, titled "Practice what we profess: Three leadership principles for the Christian in the military," it can be found here.

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 https://www.ocfusa.org/connected/

• Serve as the ministry support volunteer position: Check out the full volunteer listing for details and the application. https://www.ocfusa.org/volunteer/ministry-support-volunteer/

• Calling all female cadets & mids: Connect with your peers via OCF Sisters in Service's monthly Zoom calls. Find out more on SIS' Instagram: @sisters_in_service_ocf

Register for a Winter Retreat session at one of OCF's Conference Centers:

• 20-27 December, 28 December-4 January at Spring Canyon in Buena Vista, Colo. https://www.springcanyon.org/winter-retreat/

• 21-26 December, 27-30 December, 30 December-2 January at White Sulphur Springs in Manns Choice, Pa. https://www.whitesulphursprings.org/winter-retreat/

GUEST SPOTLIGHT

Today's episode features the first half of Crosspoint host Josh Jackson's conversation with Lt Gen Clint Hinote, USAF (Ret.). After a 35-year career as a fighter pilot, military strategist, and senior leader, Clint retired in 2023 and now serves as a futurist for the Air Force. He is also a professor of policy analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy.

Interested in leadership since his teen years and having gained experience through a variety of leadership roles ever since, Clint shares his thoughts on the definition of leadership, the importance of leaders' influence, and lessons to learn from the book of Nehemiah.

Resources mentioned during this episode include:

• Clint's Nehemiah Bible study, developed during a prior deployment and used at WSS

• Jim Collins' Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996

• White Sulphur Springs' Summer R&R, where Clint served as a speaker this past summer https://www.whitesulphursprings.org/summer-rnr/

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 Clint, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

1. How would you define leadership? Is "influence" a sufficient definition?

1. How have your own leadership roles affected your understanding of leadership?

1. Why is it important to remember the "human connection" aspect of leadership?

1. What role does consistency have in a leader's communications skills?

OCF MINISTRY NEWS

• Check out and attend any of these local events:

• Aspentime Retreat: 26-28 September at Spring Canyon (Buena Vista, Colo.) https://www.springcanyon.org/aspentime/

• BBQ Bonanza: 3-4 October at Fort Leavenworth (Kan.) https://www.ocfusa.org/event/fall-bbq-bonanza-2025/

• OCF Hampton Roads Region Annual Fall Picnic: 4 October at Fort Monroe, Va. https://evite.me/M6xMVkCshv

• USNA Fall Retreat: 10-13 October at White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, Pa.) mailto:[email protected]

• OCF Mid-Atlantic Fall Retreat: 14-16 November at White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, Pa.) https://www.whitesulphursprings.org/event/ocf-mid-atlantic-fall-retreat/

• Start an OCF small group: Read Rich's article, full of practical guidance to help you take the next step. https://www.ocfusa.org/2011/01/starting-ocf-small-group-fellowship-2/

• Help OCF steward its ministry buildings: Email Director of Infrastructure and Facility Management Joe Orosz ([email protected]) to get more information or offer your expertise in master planning, design, construction, and/or facility maintenance. mailto:[email protected]

GUEST SPOTLIGHT

Today you're going to hear from Kristin "KG" Goodrich, a Navy veteran and OCF's new director of women's ministry. KG talks about ministry efforts from her role, the impact of our current cultural climate, and an update about the military sisterhood KG discussed in a 2019 episode of OCF Crosspoint. https://www.ocfusa.org/2019/11/47-goodrich-military-sisterhood/

She mentions a few resources in today's episode: American Bible Society and Planting Roots' Bible Boot Camp for Military Women and Planting Roots' Growing Deeper: Spiritual Nourishment for Military Women by Kasey Raia Stout. https://resources.armedservicesministry.org/products/bible-boot-camp-for-military-women https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Deeper-Spiritual-Nourishment-Military/dp/B0FHH4FT6J

Save the date for these events KG mentioned, and keep an eye out for more details and registration links in the coming months:

1. Growing Deeper Conference: 31 January at Grace Community Church (Pensacola, Fla.)

1. OCF Leading Women Retreat: 20-22 March at White Sulphur Springs (Manns Choice, Pa.)

1. Women's Week of Summer Celebration: 28 June-3 July at Spring Canyon (Buena Vista, Colo.)

Contact KG via [email protected] with any input regarding women's ministry, and be sure to follow @sisters_in_service_ocf on Instagram, too. https://www.instagram.com/sisters_in_service_ocf/

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 KG, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

1. What challenges would you say women in the military face today?

1. How can you as an individual and OCF as a parachurch ministry support them in those challenges?

1. KG talks about a scaffolding approach to her role as OCF's director of women's ministry. How can you take a similar approach to come alongside and mentor the next generation for ministry and service?

1. KG also talks about the isolation female officers can sometimes feel when they're the only one among all male officers. How has finding someone with similar experiences been an encouragement to you?

Show Notes

In this second part of "Military Brats React," host Courtney Burdick continues the roundtable conversation with 2LT Dani Volle, USA, ENS Mary Ann Leonard, USN, and Matt Taylor as they reflect on their experiences growing up in military families. Listen to Part 1 here.

While the first part of the discussion centered on the challenges and mental health struggles faced by military kids, this episode shifts to the "strengths-based perspective"—seeing the good that can come out of a hard, transient lifestyle—discussed in Josh Jackson's Crosspoint interview with Claire Anderson.

Have thoughts or want to share your own experience? Reach out to Josh at [email protected] and/or Courtney at [email protected].

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 the brats, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

1. Looking back on your own military or life experiences, what unexpected strengths have you developed through hardship?

1. Who or what helped you most in your difficult seasons, and how might you offer that same support to someone else today?

1. What role has your faith (or your family's faith) played in helping you navigate challenges?

1. How do you think churches or ministries could better support military families in your community?

In a recent Crosspoint episode, Josh Jackson and Claire Anderson discussed the "hidden epidemic" of mental health challenges among military kids. In this follow-up conversation, Courtney Burdick hosts three fellow military kids—2LT Dani Volle, USA, ENS Mary Ann Leonard, USN, and Matt Taylor—for a roundtable-style reaction episode.

Having met at White Sulphur Springs, OCF's eastern camp and conference center, they discuss stories from their respective military kid experiences, thoughts on Claire's research, and more.

Have thoughts or want to share your own experience? Reach out to Courtney at [email protected].

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 the brats, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

1. Which challenge of military life (deployments, moving, role confusion, food insecurity, etc.) has impacted you or someone you know the most, and how did you see God at work in it?
2. What do you think might help military kids and families?
3. What struck you about this conversation?
4. How do you see military culture—often marked by toughness and stoicism—affecting kids' ability to talk about struggles openly?

The July episode of Crosspoint served as Part 1 of a conversation with LTC Lee Robinson, USA, director of the U.S. Military Academy's American Politics Program and an academy professor in the Department of Social Sciences.

We began answering this overarching question—"What does it look like to follow Christ in uniform, when your faith is personal, your authority is public, and the Constitution sets the boundaries?"

In Part 2 we continue this timely discussion on how Christian military leaders can live out their faith with integrity, while respecting the pluralism of today's armed forces.

Lee emphasizes that faith in leadership must never take the form of pressure or compulsion. Drawing from both Scripture and military experience, he outlines the importance of being a faithful witness without overstepping the boundaries of official authority. When senior leaders bring faith into their roles, the question isn't "Can I?" but "Should I?"—and wisdom is key to navigating that tension.

A central focus of this conversation is the principle of religious liberty for all, not just Christians. Lee speaks to the importance of defending others' rights, even when you disagree with their beliefs because a free society depends on reciprocal freedom.

Lastly, Lee offers both encouragement and challenge to Christian leaders: You won't get this balance perfect. But grace, humility, and a deep dependence on God are essential as you try to be salt and light in a diverse military environment.

This episode does a pretty good job of standing on its own, but we do encourage you to go back and listen to part 1 to get the full context of the conversation.

Key points from the conversation

• Coercion and leadership don't mix. Your influence as a Christian officer must be grounded in love and respect, not pressure.
• Religious liberty is for everyone. Defending others' freedoms strengthens your own witness and integrity.
• Wisdom matters. Just because something is legally allowed doesn't always mean it's wise or helpful in a given leadership context.
• Mistakes will happen. What matters most is how you respond—with humility, grace, and a willingness to grow.

Questions to ponder

1. How can you create a culture in your unit where spiritual questions and discussions are welcome but never forced?
2. Are there moments where your leadership presence might unintentionally signal pressure around faith?
3. What does it look like to advocate for religious freedom in a way that honors others' beliefs?
4. How do you respond when you realize you didn't strike the right balance between faith and official duty?
5. What role does humility play in spiritual leadership?

OCF MINISTRY NEWS

• Become findable on the OCF Directory: Visit ocfusa.org/list-me to add or update your group's information on our online directory of Bible studies.
• Apply for Spring Canyon's Deputy Center Director opening: Check out the job description and apply NLT 15 August.
• Check out our new Widowed Ministry webpage: Visit ocfusa.org/widowed-ministry/ to access helpful resources, invitations to fellowship, and scholarship funding for summer programs at the Conference Centers.

GUEST SPOTLIGHT

Why is mentoring important to the Christian in the military? Answering that question and others in this episode are COL Jim Brown, USA (Ret.), and Navy veteran and OCF Director of Women's Ministry Kristin "KG" Goodrich.

Jim and KG discuss the unique elements of Christian mentoring, their own personal experiences with mentors or mentees, and how military culture might create challenges to the idea of mentoring, among other topics.

Mentoring has always been part of OCF's DNA—from prayer and accountability to sharing wisdom across generations. Check out our Mentoring Program page, which offers a structured approach to equipping Christian military leaders to grow in their faith and leadership while walking alongside others.

Whether you feel called to invest in someone else's journey—or you're looking for someone to invest in yours—we invite you to get involved.

If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF's "Be a Guest" webpage for consideration. 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 KG and Jim, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor:

1. How would you define mentoring, and what have your experiences as a mentor or mentee been like?
2. In what areas of your life might you most benefit from having a mentor?
3. How might God be equipping you to mentor others around you?
4. What barriers might you see to mentoring, and how can you go about overcoming those?