generations » PWOC International Blog

There's a New Girl in Town

Jul 072011

Submitted by Beth Mills, PWOCI President

There’s a new girl in town. Have you met her yet? I’m guessing she’s somewhere between 18-25 years old. Her name? It might be Megan or Jasmine or Haley. She and her husband have only been married a couple of years. They’re already on his second deployment and they just had a baby.

Her vocabulary may be filled with words like “fair trade”, “organic”, “sustainable”. Her lightning-fast thumbs are skillfully developed from sending thousands of text messages. She can surf the web to find any kind of information faster than you can say, “I’m not sure where you can find that information…” She even has her Bible on her iPhone. She’s come to chapel once or twice. She definitely wants a deeper connection with God; she’s just not enthusiastic about the traditional chapel setting.

She’s been invited to PWOC, but she thinks it’s a little too formal. She’s not really interested in a packaged Bible study with prefabricated questions that lead you to the “right answer.” She’s more interested in figuring out how to cope through this deployment and sleepless nights with her baby girl. She’s trying to figure out how to be a good mom and live well on her tight budget. She wants to talk through the issues of life, connecting with other people like herself.

We first introduced you to the “new girl in town” at the 2010 PWOC International Conference. You’ve heard of Baby Boomers, Busters, GenXers, etc. Megan is part of the “Millennials” or “Mosiacs.” Although no one completely fits into these categories, there are certain trends in each generation which help us discover innovative ways to reach them with the Gospel. I encourage you to get to know Megan personally–in your neighborhood, your unit, perhaps in your chapel. Rather than focusing on how to “reach out” to her, make the effort to “reach in” to what she has to offer. It will require making some changes to the way you think and do things, personally and in PWOC.

If your installation hasn’t already done so, start a Facebook page[1]. It’s a great way to send out information as well as networking people in community. Consider offering a short class on a hot topic like “Healthy Living” or “Organic Gardening,” weaving in Biblical truth. The Bible is very practical! As you trust the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you, you’ll be amazed at the opportunity you’ll have to engage God’s Word during these studies. In these small groups, create a safe atmosphere for “being real.” Pray for one another and with one another. We’ll all be enriched by the relationships we develop as we discover new ways to experience God together.

The PWOCI president update is posted the first Wednesday of every month. For comments please email president@pwoc.org

[1] We have instructions and guidelines for setting up a Facebook page in the Resource Library at pwoc.org.

Thanksgiving, Faith and Freedom

Devotions

Nov 232009

Have you ever thought about passing along a legacy of faith? Or what this means to our culture?

William Bradford, one of the original Pilgrims, wrote Of Plymouth Plantation. In this easy-to read history, you see examples over and over again of the Pilgrim’s faith. They stood on the biblical fact that salvation is by faith alone placed in Christ alone. Salvation does not come out of the empty traditions of men or by works. In Europe, they suffered much persecution as a result of their faith. When they arrived at the New World, they encountered great trials and near starvation. They looked not on their suffering, losses, and persecution, but lifted their eyes to the heavens on behalf of their country and quieted their spirits. Their Christian behavior left a deep impression on the minds of many. Their peace, courage, and shining testimony came out of a faith already present and a repeated commitment to look to Christ and God’s word.

If you are not familiar with this portion of history, it is partly because within this century there has been an overt attempt to strip the historical record of any mention of God and His providential dealing in the matters of nations and peoples. Today we are seeing different organizations pressure our leaders to remove God’s name from money, buildings, textbooks, and end public prayers. The example of the Pilgrims sets the record straight that God was and still is involved in the affairs of America. Without remembering our true roots, it is inevitable that we as Americans will lose sight of our original call from God.

Judges 2:7 reads “And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua who had seen all the great work the Lord had done for Israel…and there arose another generation after them who did not know the work that He had done for Israel. And the children did evil in the sight of the Lord and served Baal.” They forgot their history!

This Thanksgiving, may we also look to Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, seeing the incredibly compassionate, merciful, just, loving Father God behind this whole free gift of Salvation – giving this awesome legacy to our children, husbands and whoever will hear and believe by God’s amazing grace. And don’t forget the Pilgrims and their example as you celebrate. The spiritual wellbeing of future generations depends on it.