Jo-Bette’s Story

Jo-Bette’s Story

In the summer of 1975, a new nurse received orders to the U.S. Army Hospital in Okinawa, Japan. The Cadence ministry (formerly called Overseas Christian Servicemen’s Centers or OCSC) near the base became her home away from home and her faith grew in powerful ways.

Jo-Bette wrote, “At the time, I wished I were a civilian so I could join OCSC! As a young believer, I didn’t understand the concept that wherever God places you is your mission field. I received a lot of my early Christian education through the teaching at various hospitality house ministries. For that, I will always be grateful.”

Fast forward to 2021, Jo-Bette found herself driving down Alameda Boulevard on Coronado Island and saw a huge banner announcing the opening of a new Cadence Hospitality House. Surprised, she immediately turned around and parked in front of the house where she rang the bell and introduced herself to the Cadence missionaries.

Over time, Jo-Bette began supporting the ministry both financially and through volunteering. “Words cannot adequately express the immense satisfaction I feel serving as a volunteer at The Bridge Hospitality House and having the privilege of giving back to the ministry that served me so selflessly 50 years ago. Now, in a different season of life, older and wiser, I am enjoying interacting with the young people over meals, Bible study, teaching, fun events, and discipling women who are interested in going deeper in their walk with God.”

Thank you for your donation to Cadence International. Your giving, your prayers, and your support are being used by God to transform lives—like Jo-Bette’s, and so many others—around the world.

Story and photos shared with permission of Jo-Bette Crescitelli, CDR, NC, USN, (Ret.)

A Soldier’s Child

A Soldier’s Child

The following story was shared after Cadence assisted WayFM and A Soldier’s Child Foundation with an event on December 7, 2024. Thanks to the generosity of Greenwood Community Church, the event took place at AirCity 360 in Colorado Springs, CO.

A Mother’s Story

After hearing about A Soldier’s Child SOS Christmas on WayFM a few times on our way to school, my nine-year-old daughter, Kenna, asked if we could participate. The following week, she sold items at our church’s holiday market and felt she could sponsor a child with the earnings. An easy click on the site led us to the purchasing of gifts for a girl the same age as my daughter. We had so much fun shopping from the wish list and selecting presents we thought she might enjoy.   

I dropped off the gifts at Cadence International Headquarters and instantly felt a connection with staff member Angie Sprague as she shared about the party she was coordinating for the SOS families. In return, I shared our family story, how we were led to participate, and how my daughter wanted to lead the charge. Little did I know Angie would extend an invitation to attend the SOS party that Saturday as volunteers. We spent the evening meeting families, joining in on the fun, and connecting with people from WayFM, Cadence International, and A Soldier’s Child.  My daughter met the nine-year-old girl she had sponsored, and again, another instant connection was made.   

The many lessons our family learned and the chance to offer the presence of God by being the hands and feet of Jesus exceed the small effort it took to purchase gifts. We look forward to supporting this cause again next year and will spread the word about this opportunity, so more children feel loved during the holiday season.

Story Photos
Top image: From left to right: Ken, Kenna’s father; Angie Sprague, Cadence Director of Alumni; Deanna, Kenna’s mother; Rachel who works with A Soldier’s Child; and Kenna.

Side images: Kenna and her new friend.

A Soldier’s Child Foundation
“A Soldier’s Child (ASC) Foundation serves children of fallen servicemen and women from all U.S. military branches. ASC acknowledges all deaths during active duty and any deaths post-military service due to service-related injuries or illnesses.” Learn more about their incredible work here.

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Faithful and Available

Faithful and Available

God doesn’t need superheroes or extraordinary people to accomplish His purposes. He uses ordinary people who are faithful and available. Cadence staff Jeff Walton shared a story that illustrates this point. He and his wife Candace run the Humphreys Hospitality House in Korea.   

One thing that continues to amaze Candace and me is how God works through those who attend our house ministry, not just us. One man, in particular, is relatively new to Korea and still processing through a hard breakup that occurred right before he came.   

On Christmas, he told us he didn’t really want to be around a large group of people but knew he needed to be with others. He ended up retreating to our third floor to nap for a while, then ate a lot of food and poured out his heart to one guy for hours. He also connected with another guy and talked with him for a long time. It was great to see this man relax, be encouraged by other Christian men, see others pray for him with their arms around him, and then see him leave with closer friendships than when he arrived.   

Candace and I did nothing but provide a safe place for people to come and fellowship together. God used others to show love to this hurting man in our own home. Praise the Lord! This story is the reason we love hospitality ministry so much. As we disciple, build up, feed, encourage, and present the gospel to our group each week, our members, in turn, do the same for others. They have been shown a godly example and are now going out and serving others because of the community built on Jesus.   

We know we don’t need to be a part of every conversation, help solve every problem, or speak the right word of encouragement to others at the right time. God uses more people than just Candace and me. He raises up His Church here in our ministry, and they take care of each other. We create a space where people are brought together so that the Holy Spirit can work through the Body. It is God’s ministry, not ours. We just feel privileged to be on the front lines to see what God is doing. 

—Jeff and Candace Walton are House Directors at Humphreys Hospitality House in Korea. Excerpt from January 2024 newsletter.  

Read more stories here.

Kingdom Connections

Kingdom Connections

American military personnel are accustomed to packing up and going wherever the military sends them, whether it is a six-month unaccompanied deployment or a three-year duty assignment in the U.S. or overseas. Accordingly, Cadence staff may have only a few months to invest in those who attend their ministry and usually no more than three years.

Cadence staff Deric and Rebecca Sneller understand the difficulties these transitions bring more than most. Not only have they served with Cadence since 2014, but Deric is also a chaplain in the Army Reserves. As directors of the K-Town Hospitality House in the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) in Germany, they welcomed Marlina into their ministry this last year, knowing it would only be for a short time. She quickly became a significant member of their community, as she shared in meals, holidays, outings, and ministry, and even blessed them with a date night. Marlina shares what her time at the K-Town House meant to her:

Where am I to begin with the blessings the Sneller family left on my life in the span of just nine months? From the start, God’s grace and love were orchestrating it all. My new husband and I (both active-duty Army) had just been reunited after spending our first year of marriage apart when I received the news I would be leaving once again for Germany. 

By late June of 2023, I arrived at the KMC for a nine-month rotation with a unit that was still new to me. My heart was heavy and conflicted. When I met the Snellers, their family was an instant joy to be around. They reflected the much-needed love of God for which my soul was searching. They opened their home and hearts to me, displaying true hospitality. Their steady trust in the Lord and His plan for them has been a testament to faith and something I admire.   

When we met, they had also just arrived in Germany and were starting their ministry from scratch. Watching Rebecca fearlessly invite anyone the Lord put on her heart amazed me, as did their trust in God’s process and vision for what ministry would look like in their new context. From being involved in their new and growing ministry, God showed me that even things that seem temporary can have a long-lasting impact; kingdom connections are eternal. 

—Excerpt from Deric and Rebecca’s March 2024 newsletter

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Love Freely Given

Love Freely Given

“I remember going to the Vilseck Hospitality House for the first time. Initially, I was scared that my past would mean that I was too broken of a person to fit in amongst everyone there. I assumed that everyone around me was perfect Christians who had their lives together and that I was a disaster. I was so wrong.”  

These were the opening words of a testimony given by a woman at a baptism held for her and two others who attend the ministry of Vilseck House Directors Matt and Tina Huisjen. Having served with Cadence since 1998, the Huisjens have welcomed many people into their home and count it a privilege to share the gospel and watch God transform lives through His love, as illustrated in the life of this woman.    

Growing up with an alcoholic mother and an absentee father, her childhood was characterized by chaos and instability. In an effort to find love and fill the void in her heart, she began to make choices that led to heartache and hopelessness.   

After hitting rock bottom, she began to attend the Huisjen’s ministry and encountered God:    

I was overwhelmed by the warmth and genuine love of the people there. They welcomed me with open arms, without judgment or condemnation. It was in that environment that I began to learn about the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. I heard stories of redemption and transformation, stories that resonated deeply with my own brokenness.   

Slowly, but surely, I started to understand that God’s love wasn’t something I had to earn; it was freely given. Jesus demonstrated this love for us by dying on the cross for our sins, offering us forgiveness. This was a wild concept for someone like me, who had always felt unworthy and unloved. As I continued to attend the Vilseck House and women’s Bible study, I began to see myself through God’s eyes-cherished and loved beyond measure.    

Today, my life is a testament to God’s grace and redemption. I have found peace and purpose that I never thought possible. My past no longer defines me; instead, it serves as a powerful testimony of God’s transformative power. I am living proof that no matter how far you’ve strayed away from him or how deep your pain, God’s love can reach you, heal you, and give you a new beginning.

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