May 30, 2015
6
Women of AOK celebrate God’s
faithfulness at women’s retreat
Special guests Allison Allen and Major Vivian
Childs were inspiring and passionate and gave
cause for soul searching at the Arkansas-Oklahoma
Division’s women’s retreat. Some 249 AOK women
gathered at Camp Heart O’ Hills for the event.
The breakout sessions included many opportunities
to focus on the theme of the weekend, via prayer,
writing, crafting and more. Free time provided more
fun including a country store, mini-spa, volleyball and
Bingo.
Spotlights on women throughout the weekend
highlighted exceptional dedication of a corps member
to their respective corps ministry. Two women were
spotlighted in each session.
Praise and worship was led by the AOK’s
Divisional Praise and Worship Team, including Jimmy
Cox, Jeff Robbins, Jordan Sebo, Jerry Polk, Chelsea
Gallant and Troy Mitchell.
Allison Allen, Christian actress/writer, teacher,
wife and mother shared portions of her life’s journey,
recalling how God calls us
time after time even when
it feels you are alone in the
desert of life.
Major Childs, territorial
director for Inter-Cultural
Ministries, shared an
emotional and far-reaching
personal testimony in her
Sunday address. Her message
truly emphasized the theme
of the weekend with a rags-toriches testimony.
This year, each corps
brought a purse to be auctioned at live auctions, as
well as grab bags to raise money for the two Mexico
Children’s homes the AOK division supports.
Lieutenant Claudia Roseno provided updates from
the Chihuahua and Veracruz homes as well as photos
and a testimonial from one of the children. Over
Major Candice
Biggers and
her creative
leadership
team provided
an intentional
weekend
program
designed to
remind all in
attendance that
God Always
Provides.
Cindy Fuller
Lieutenant Ashley Robinett plays Barbie in Saturday
evening’s program, ‘Living Dolls.’
$5,100 was raised to continue support of the children’s
homes.
Men of Carolinas Division
get a reality check at camp
The 2015 North and South Carolina
Men’s Fellowship Camp drew over 500
real men from around the division for
a weekend of fun, fellowship and good
food, all under the theme “Be Real.”
In the opening meeting, guest
speaker Major Mike Himes of
Schenectady, New York, spoke from
his heart and used his witty style and
storytelling ability to challenge the men
to be honest with themselves, correct
wrong thinking and seek to be real men
of God.
Colonel Brad Bailey, chief secretary,
and Lt. Colonel James Seiler, NSC
divisional commander, recognized Jeff
Brooks of Asheville, North Carolina,
as the 2014 Man of the Year for the
division. Brooks, also honored as the
Territorial Man of the Year, testified that
Campers are
challenged to live
as real men of God
“if we give everything to God, he will
use it.” He encouraged every man to
trust God in each detail of their life. The
division was further acknowledged by
the territory by honoring Elizabeth City
as runner-up for the Territorial Men’s
Club of the Year.
Men of all walks of life participated
in individual and team sports to earn
the privilege of taking home a trophy
from the contests. Greenville, South
Carolina, and Concord, North Carolina,
won first place trophies for large and
small corps.
Competition for top honors in sports events was fierce and intense.
But the highest achievement that
the men were encouraged to attain was
to be real men of God. Colonel Bailey,
Major Himes and Don Ross challenged
the men to go back to their homes,
work and corps, charged to be real men
of God.
Major David Cope
Planning, preparation helps equip youth leaders
Continued from page 1
asked youth leaders to look inward.
“Who are you and why are you here?” he asked.
“Whatever God has placed you here for, do it with all
of your muchness.”
The next day began just as early with staff meetings
and troubleshooting before the morning’s session.
Speakers needed wi-fi passwords and water and the
workshop rooms needed to be set up. Snacks and
lunches needed to be prepared and delivered. More
speakers were arriving and departing, requiring rides
to the nearby airport. All of it was managed by the
entire Youth Department team who all come together
to make the week smooth for the youth leaders who
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