WSS April '07 Ministry Report

“It was such a sweet camp! My daughter had a great time and was so changed when she came back. She had such a servant’s heart, and I want her to experience that again.”-- an OCF mother registering her child for Camp Caleb

Overview

April turned out to be a very full month of ministry at WSS. Although a group had cancelled for the first weekend, we hosted a packed house for the following weekends plus a large Sunday-Wednesday group: Immanuel Bible Church families, Ft. Belvoir PWOC ladies, Jerry Brown’s group of dads and sons, All Saints Church of Stafford, Campus Crusade for Christ northeast region leaders, The Moving Company ladies, and our own two “Jr. AO” weekends. We also hosted a Growing and Building Campaign dinner for local community leaders. In addition, we met several staff travel requirements including a Ft. Leavenworth capital campaign presentation, the ropes course conference at Jumonville and a cabinet meeting for our Allegheny CCCA section.

Significant Events

- Campus Crusade brought their northeast regional leaders for a three-day strategic planning conference. We were blessed to help facilitate CCC’s great ministry on college campuses across our region. Our hope is that we will have more opportunity to serve in this capacity.

- Ft. Belvoir Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) met here for their annual spring retreat. As always these ladies had a great time of growth and fellowship, and we enjoyed being good hosts. I took the opportunity to explain OCF’s Growing and Building Campaign and brief the ladies on the importance of our conference center ministry.

- This month Dailey and David conducted two Parent-Youth Adventure Weekends, the first here on the WSS grounds with climbing and rappelling activities and the second a canoe adventure on the Juniata River and Raystown Lake with overnight camping at a Boy Scout camp. These were great one-on-one times for dads (or moms) and a child to spend time together strengthening relationship and considering God’s awesome beauty in nature. Comments received from participants were extremely complimentary. I was able to join in at some point in each weekend to greet the campers and tell them a little about the ministry to include the capital campaign.

- We held a Growing and Building Campaign evening dinner event for local community leaders on 24 April. This was a grand time, and the WSS staff did a great job of presenting the ministry here to our own neighbors in Bedford County. General Fister was our keynote speaker who gave a compelling overview of the significance of our military forces around the globe in combating terrorism. In addition, Mrs. Sarah Gannaway, wife of MAJ Bruce Gannaway, USA, gave a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness through the personal ministry of OCF members during times of deployment and particularly when her husband was injured in Iraq. She highlighted the importance of WSS in building up OCF members in their faith and refreshing their spirits for Kingdom work within the military society. Our guests were greatly impacted through her and General Fister’s talks as well as through COL Al Shine and CAPT Mickey Garverick who also participated in the program. The event was also supported by COL Rob Stewart and Melissa Fister. Marty was invaluable in planning the event, hosting guests with me and planning the menu. Also, Barb Pensyl and Evelyn Albright did a super job of presenting an elegant meal that was served by our WSS staff. We are praying that those who attended will catch the vision and contribute to Heritage House.

Challenges and Opportunities

Heavy rains of spring brought water in the basement meeting room. Although the effect is at the lowest point, the cause is at the highest point, the gutter design at the roof of Harrison House, making it difficult and dangerous to address.

Hindrances

None new.

Ministry Support

Nat Hale has been a great support to the WSS ministry over the years, first as a summer staffer, then as a member of the permanent staff, and now as an Advisory Committee member and frequent “weekend warrior”. Nat is being reassigned by DLA, for whom he works as a civil servant, to Italy for 3 to 5 years. We will greatly miss his frequent visits and help in every area of the ministry, particularly his help in youth programs arenas.

Ministry Recommendations

None new.

Prayer Requests

- Pray for all of us on the WSS staff as the busy summer programs start soon. Pray for the college-age and teen-age summer staff member to be prepared spiritually for actual ministry outside themselves.

- Pray for hearts to be warm to the gospel of Christ as presented this summer by speakers and teachers in the program.

- Pray for Bob Thompson as he recovers from a fall and broken ribs during the OCF Volunteer work period this spring.

- Pray for many to respond to the Growing and Building Campaign and the need for new facilities at WSS and Spring Canyon.

- Pray for our troops deployed in combat situations and for OCF families who are separated because of deployments. Pray for our nation’s leaders and President Bush to stay the course in the face of political uncertainty.

Warmly yours in Jesus,
Clay Thomas