March is a defining month in OC’s history. Key leadership, along with many of our faithful partners from around the U.S., will come to Colorado Springs for a very special series of events with the central piece being the presidential installation. A flurry of activity and a sense of excitement characterize the Colorado-based U.S. Mobilization Center as final preparations are made for the second and third weeks of March. In addition to the main events, global workers look forward to connecting with their OC colleagues from around the world for fun and for valuable collaboration on a more casual level.

Schedule of Events

Here is a quick overview of the events planned…

OC GLOBAL ALLIANCE MEETINGS

March 7-11 members of the OC Global Alliance will gather at the U.S. Mobilization Center for their bi-annual meeting. The OC Global Alliance is a voluntary association of OC mobilization centers for the purpose of sharing resources and experience. For over 50 years the U.S. was OC’s only sending base or mobilization center. Over the last decade, some of those countries who have received OC workers began sending OC workers and wanted to remain connected to OC, strongly identifying with OC’s mission, vision and values.

Today the GA is made up of 11 centers with a commitment to partnering together to deploy mission workers to serve on multiethnic and multinational teams. This month the Global Alliance Team will gather to select a new moderator, deepen relationships and collaborate in ministry planning.

Please pray for the Lord’s direction for the GA Guidance Team as they seek to facilitate effective communication and collaboration among the 11 mobilization centers that collectively have 850 mission workers around the world.
(For more information, go to the Global Alliance web page.)

U.S. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

The 12-member U.S. Board will meet March 11-13 to discuss new OC vision, mission and guiding principle statements and fulfill mission-critical responsibilities. They will join in the installation ceremonies and have opportunity to connect with GA members, OC field leadership, and some of OC’s partners. In the last year the board, under chairman Dale Micetic, has led the way in the Launch Project with a generous commitment to 10% of the targeted financial goal of $4.53 million. The three-fold goal of the Launch Project is more workers sent out, more partnerships established, and more funding developed.
(For more information, go to The Launch Project web page.)

INSTALLATION OF THE NEW OC PRESIDENT

On March 13 One Challenge’s new president, Dr. Dean Carlson, will be recognized by the members of the OC Global Alliance and installed by the U.S. Mobilization Center’s Board of Directors. The installation service will be held at Woodmen Valley Chapel and is preceded by a 5:30 p.m. reception. It will be a time of worship and celebration. Dean will become the mission’s sixth president after OC founder, Dr. Dick Hillis, followed by Dr. Luis Palau, Dr. Clyde Cook, Dr. Larry Keyes and Dr. Greg Gripentrog.

Video of Installation Service

OC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Over the past 24 months a select group of OC workers from our fields and U.S. Mobilization Center staff in Colorado Springs have been looking at the challenge of mobilizing and maintaining the next generation of OC workers. This task force, called Future Send, while maintaining OC’s core is sharpening the focus and shaping OC’s visibility and viability for future generations by inspiring deep change where necessary. Their findings, the result of countless hours of research, will be presented to 60 OC leaders, who will move OC into a process of Spirit-led change as proposals are discussed and significant plans defined. The Leadership Conference is from March 14-19.

INTERNATIONAL ENCOUNTER

From March 12-14 OC partners and guests are invited to connect with GA members (local tour of Colorado Springs) and U.S. Mobilization Center personnel (Open House). The main event is the installation reception and worship service. They can also meet OC board members at a president’s breakfast hosted by past president Greg Gripentrog and current president Dean Carlson. Finally they can attend the morning sessions of the Leadership Conference and chat with field personnel over lunch. It is a unique opportunity to meet and experience the larger OC family.

Referencing Joshua 3 and the Israelite’s challenge, President Dean Carlson says of the March meetings, “I view it as our ‘Jordan,’ when numerous streams will converge in Colorado Springs. It will be a time to ‘move out’ … worshipfully, courageously and in unity as OC follows God into new adventures in advancing the Kingdom.”