WSS April '10 Ministry Report

"You, each of you, are a 'steady burning light who help spread His glow all over the earth' (J.B. Phillips 'The Visited Planet'). A simple Thank You does not seem to be enough, but Thank you. For me, the rest and restoration I find at WSS, especially Jr. AO!, keeps my glow alive! May God continue to bless each of you."-- dad attendee of parent-youth adventure weekend.

Priority Obj. 1.2

Foster mentoring relationships which will allow OCF members to reproduce themselves across generations:
a. Empowering senior leaders and retirees to come alongside and encourage the current generation in the "trenches."
b. Developing programs and materials that help OCF members develop future leaders through example, instruction and mentoring.

Twelve pairs of dads and kids participated in the two Parent-Youth Adventure Weekends held in April. Dailey Chandler, WSS Youth Programs Director, assisted by Aaron Thomas, WSS Maint/Horse Director, used lessons from God's creation to help military dads connect with their children in fulfillment of the verse in Malachi: "restoring the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers..."

Priority Obj. 1.3

Identify, communicate, and implement programs and culturally relevant methods across OCF that meet biblically sound fellowship needs and enhance personal growth and effective ministry outreach.

The WSS Resurrection Retreat brought a full house of military families to the Springs to celebrate Easter together. Speaker Dr. Andy Sanders, M.D. addressed the group about the tremendous cost of the Cross, from the Father's perspective, Jesus' perspective, and from the perspective of God's will, glory and Kingdom. As usual, Barb's country cooking brought many smiles. Jim and Carolyn Groves again organized the Coast Guard Academy cadets to conduct a vibrant children's program. This was a blessed time of fellowship and warm sharing in the body of Christ.

Priority Obj. 2.5

Exhort, equip and encourage members to seek opportunities and implement efforts that reach beyond the local fellowship to affect the larger military community for Christ.

This month the Ft. Belvoir Protestant Women of the Chapel came to WSS for their annual spring retreat. These ladies blessed us with their contagious enthusiasm for Christ and went away singing His praises. We also hosted two other church groups with OCF members embedded in their congregations--Christ Church of Grove Farm from Pittsburgh, and All Saints' Church of Dale City, VA.

Priority Obj. 3.3

Train and equip local OCF leaders to teach and support biblical marriage and family.

See Obj 1.3 above.

Priority Obj. 4.3

Successfully execute the OCF Growing and Building Campaign, achieving all Phase 1 and 2 objectives

I continue to brief all groups that come to WSS of the need to support the project. I took the Resurrection Retreat guests and OCF Volunteers up to the construction site, shared their excitement at seeing the progress and led a group prayer for God's blessing on the project. Somerset Steel Erectors, our design-build firm, continues to do a great job of keeping the construction on track as we move through the spring season. We continue to post construction photos on our Facebook page (White Sulphur Springs). Please continue to pray and encourage giving so that we may meet the $7.8M goal and move ahead into phase II for needed facilities at Spring Canyon. The construction committee continues to meet bi-weekly via telephone conference to coordinate and direct the project, and Joe Orosz continues to give his time faithfully to the effort both at WSS and Spring Canyon. To God be the glory; great things He has done and is doing!

Other Ministry Highlights

The faithful OCF Volunteers met at the end of the month (into the first week of May) to did a huge amount of repair, construction, mending, painting, landscaping, cleaning, etc. to the facilities here. We so appreciate these dear ones who give of their time and come from far away (Forida, Minnesota) and nearby (Carlisle, N. Va.) to beautify the Lord's "place apart, a place of the heart" that is White Sulphur Springs. Our heartfelt thanks to these wonderful saints: Andy & Reba Anderson, Lyn & Lynne Neyman, Paul & Roxanne Cibuzar, John Clauer, Richard Garverick, Clay & Margaret Grondahl, Johnnie Johnson, Mark & Sharon Lintz, Carol and Bethany Petersen, Al Shine, Randy Helland, Dick & Carol Zahn, Jim & Lu Mattern, Mike & Debbie McDonald, Bob Nelson, Rob & Anne Stewart, Sam & Diane Tate, Bob Thompson, Doug Vosler, Betty Harcey, Dan Sullivan and Mark Bankers.

Prayer Requests

- Praise God for continued progress on Heritage House! Pray for all OCF members to become stakeholders in "declaring His power to the next generations" and that all the remaining Phase I funds will be pledged/given.

- Pray for our OCF members who are separated because of deployments. Pray for their protection and spiritual growth and for victory in Iraq and Afghanistan.

- Please pray for our son, H, to do well in his PA program at GWU as he enters his summer term.

- Praise God for the safe birth of our ninth grandchild, Charlotte Nicole, born our daughter, Christa, and son-in-law, Josh Dittmar.

- Pray for WSS Senior Staff who have been selected to serve this summer and for their godly preparation during AO staff training and the Senior Staff Conference in early June. Pray for God to give them a selfless heart for ministry and peace regardless of the position for which they were selected.

Warmly yours in Christ,
Clay Thomas