WSS May '10 Ministry Report

"Always good to hear from you! It seems to me that, as always, you are ready for another season. We are excited too, about the building in progress. It brings back wonderful memories. Keep up the great work you are doing. (My wife) reminds me she was with COL Meredith and others on the trip from Washington, DC to look at WSS."-- Past President of OCF

"Saw the construction pictures of the new building and it is under way! PTL! Great vision and persistence. We praise the Lord for (all the WSS staff). Hope to see you face to face one of these days."-- OCF member, AO donor

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.

Great ministry of mentoring took place at our spring volunteer work period where older, experienced saints shared their work tips as well as their lives with younger, eager saints in a multitude of jobs to beautify, repair, construct, mend, upholster, etc. the many areas of WSS that needed their TLC. Sam Tate led two very instructive Bible study evenings, and the fun and fellowship at meals was hard to beat. We are very thankful for these dear saints who came during the latter part of April and the first week of May: Andy & Reba Anderson, Lyn & Lynne Neyman, Paul & Roxanne Cibuzar, John Clauer, Richard Garverick, Clay & Margaret Grondahl, Johnnie Johnson, Randy Helland, 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.

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 staff met twice this month for "Summer Previews" in order to plan the summer's program and facility for Summer Family Camp, Allegheny Outback! and Camp Caleb. A review of last summer's evaluations led us into making needed changes to this year's program through a "pray and obey" process. We are praying for God to richly bless this last summer of family camp based in Harrison House. AO! staff have arrived this week for training, and our summer begins in earnest with the commencement of AO#1 on June 5th.

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 Bolling AFB ladies came to WSS for their annual spring retreat. These ladies had a great time of spiritual growth and fellowship. The same weekend our own Advisory Committee member, Col Lee Deremer, USAF (Ret.) brought his group of men from Living Word Church in York, PA for a men's camping retreat on our playing field. These guys had a great time with dads and sons doing various adventure activities together. We love being available to provide space for good family times like this. We also hosted two other church groups--The Moving Company ladies from the State College, PA area and Grace Bible Church ladies.

Priority Obj. 3.3

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

The NCR Memorial Day Retreat was a great time of "Fireproofing Your Marriage" for 16 military families. Invited by Mark Benz, our OCF representative to the National Capital Region, LTC Keith and Sharon Morgan, USA (Ret.) led a wonderful series of talks that culminated in couples reciting their vows to one another. The Morgans are on staff with Military Ministries of Campus Crusade. This was a truly super time not only for the guest families who came but also for us on the WSS staff. The curriculum led with biblical truth and followed up with a time of small group discussion that helped participants process and apply the information. Plenty of good food, special events of horseback riding, climbing loft and children's classes made this a very productive and equipping weekend for everyone who came. Diane Pomroy brought a great team of workers from Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) to conduct the children's program for all ages up through high schoolers.

Priority Obj. 4.3

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

I took all the NCR Memorial Day Retreat attendees up to the Heritage House site and briefed them on the progress of the construction and the Growing and Building Campaign. I discussed privately with two donor families who had not realized that, although they had completed their pledge term and were still giving their normal monthly amount, they should formalize their intentions to continue giving monthly a matter of a pledge so that OCF could better assess the progress during the capital campaign. We are preparing for the "topping out" ceremony on Friday this week. We will see the "signature beam" raised into place and will give thanks to our great God for all He has done to make this dream a reality.

Other Ministry Highlights

Nothing to report here.

Prayer Requests

Praise God for completion of steel erection 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 finishes his summer term.

Pray for WSS Senior Staff as they arrive to serve this summer and for their godly preparation during AO staff training and the Senior Staff Conference. Pray for God to give them a selfless heart for ministry and peace regardless of the position for which they were selected.

Pray for all the speakers for Summer Family Camp. Pray also for our mentor couples and us on WSS staff to be able to discern needs among our summer guests--to see beyond the surface and minister in the love of Christ.

Thanking God for His goodness,
Clay Thomas