One Challenge’s theme going into 2022 is courageous love: boldly engaging in a broken world. Our prayer is to live out Paul’s charge in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong, do everything in love.” Be encouraged by this New Year’s message from Dean and Kathie […]
US Mobilization Center
Global Workers Describe the Value of the US-MC
US-MC stands for U.S. Mobilization Center. It is the go-to place for people looking for a mission sending agency. It’s the place appointees get pre-field training while preparing for deployment. It’s the place global mission workers’ supporters send contributions for proper processing. It’s the go-to place when there are bumps in the road and a worker needs coaching, counseling, […]
In Person Again – CORE Training
For two weeks in June, our newest mission workers finished their One Challenge CORE training. Prior to being in-person in the Colorado mountains, this group gathered once a week ONLINE for eight weeks beginning the training process. What a JOY to finally meet face-to-face! A perfect way to cap off their introduction to OC. They […]
Mission Drift? Or Still True to God’s Call?
Mission Drift as defined by authors Peter Greer and Chris Horst in their book Mission Drift (2015) is “the slow and insidious shift away from the original mission, purpose, and identity of an organization.” They say, “Mission True organizations know who they are and actively safeguard, reinforce, and celebrate their DNA. Leaders constantly push toward higher levels […]
Prayer Focus April 2021 … OC Annual Report
The OC Global Alliance – Embracing the Challenge Jesus didn’t say the Great Commission would be easy. Making disciples of all nations is a challenge like none other. God invites us to join him – through pandemics, lockdowns, and social disruption – to bring biblical hope to people in every community and culture. Challenge invites […]
How has the U.S. Mobilization Center weathered the pandemic year?
Just a month ago, had you walked through the U.S. Mobilization Center in Colorado Springs, you would have seen – well, practically no one. The unlit halls felt odd, nothing like the lively, active, collaborative vibe that typifies OC’s home office. From mid-March 2020 through January 2021, COVID restrictions limited the number allowed in the […]
Prayer Focus … Get to Know One Challenge
QUESTION: Who is One Challenge and what do they do?ANSWER: We are a mission family who exists to serve the whole body ofChrist – so, we do many things! Here is a brief overview of our vision, mission, strategy, and guiding principles. Missions Mobilization We seek to empower the whole body of Christ to bring […]
When Giving Gets Creative
It’s December – the time of year when we think about giving. For most of us that is a fun, joyful, even suspense-filled experience. I remember as a kid picking out or making special gifts for each family member. One year I wrapped each gift separately and then put them all in a big box […]
One Challenge Board Meets During COVID Uncertainty
“We are blessed with high-caliber, gifted board members who love one another and are passionate about the people and vision of OC.” This was President Dean Carlson’s upbeat reflection on the September 18-20 virtual OC board meeting, where twelve current and one emeritus board members, and several spouses and staff gathered. Second Virtual Board Meeting […]
A New Director of Training for One Challenge
One Challenge considers a learner’s heart key to global mission work. In fact, one of OC’s six guiding principles is to be lifelong learners. That means we seek to grow in competency as we serve the body of Christ in its context and intentionally mentor, coach, and disciple one another. There is a teaching element, […]