One Challenge is blessed to have mission pastor Gill, and his wife Karen, at OC International for over 20 years. They have served as OC workers in Asia, and they are now based at the U.S. Mobilization Center in Colorado. In 2020, Gill took on the role of mission pastor to encourage, pray, counsel, and […]
As I sit and write this reflection, it is a snowy day in Colorado. I find myself longing for spring. The warmth of the sun, the budding of trees, chirping song birds, and the beginnings of the green that shouts life is on the way. In fact, according to the calendar, spring is already here, but […]
Good and pleasant. What would you put on a list of good and pleasant things? In Psalm 133, David used these words to describe unity. Unity is good and I long for it, yet I find it elusive. Few things feel better than being part of a harmonious, unified group where I know I am loved, valued, […]
What would you guess is the most missed holiday of our OC family serving in countries all around the world? Here is a hint: it happens this month on the fourth Thursday – Thanksgiving! Many things may come to American’s minds when we think of Thanksgiving. Family, friends, food, football. As I think about the […]
An article in the Gazette, the local Colorado Springs newspaper, caught my attention. The article entitled, “O’er the fields we go”, opened with the following words – “At 27 of Colorado’s 42 state parks on January 1, you’ll find rangers ready to lead you on a First Day Hike, sun or snow.” As I read […]
We’re all familiar with the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” At this Christmas time of year, we’re reminded of John’s words in his gospel as he describes the birth of Jesus – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (1:14). In this case the reverse is certainly true; the […]
As I sit to write these words this morning, I’m “catching my breath” and enjoying a few hours of relative quietness and a slowed down pace. In the last two months Joyce’s and my schedule has included several important trips to be with our OC family in different parts of the world: Southern California, Hume […]
In reading through the book of Hebrews recently, I was struck by a repeated emphasis. The author is writing to Christians who have come from a Jewish background and, because of persecution, are in danger of slipping back into Judaism. So, throughout the book, the author is declaring the supremacy of Jesus Christ above all […]
No doubt as you read these devotional thoughts from the “Pastor’s Pen” you’ve noted I often draw my reflections from my readings in the Psalms. I definitely find my heart responding to and identifying with the interactions the writers of the Psalms have with the Lord. So, once again these remarks spring from one of […]
In Psalm 32 we have words of blessing for those whose sins have been confessed and forgiven and the Lord’s protection in times of trouble for those who trust in Him. While reading the Psalm recently, my attention was drawn to a phrase in v. 7 – “You are my hiding place… and surround me […]
