STORIES FROM THE FIELD
FROM THE PRESIDENT
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.”
From the Field
The InCadence Podcast:
Stories of God’s work in and through the military.
The Grismore’s Garage
One of the joys of my job is watching the way the Lord weaves together each missionary’s story, background, and gifting to minister to those they serve in their own special way. Our staff’s creativity, compassion, and commitment open doors for the gospel that might otherwise remain closed. This is certainly true for Cadence staff, Dwight and Letty Grismore, who serve near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Their unique gifts are channels of God’s grace and hope, as they shared in a recent letter to supporters:
The Lighthouse
Each day, Cadence missionaries share Christ’s love, offer encouragement, and walk alongside those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Two of our Cadence staff, Duncan and Suzanne Forbes, faithfully share the gospel and their lives with those in the Yokosuka military community.
Maintain
Paul’s call in Ephesians 4:3 includes a powerful word: “maintain.” Unity in the body of Christ is not something we manufacture—it is something we receive from the Spirit, who calls us to preserve it.
At Cadence International, we recognize that unity is both a gift and a stewardship. In our unique ministry context, where cultures, backgrounds, and deployments converge, our missionaries work daily to maintain the bond of peace that the Spirit has already forged.
Make Every Effort
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
As I reflect on the calling we share in this gospel work, Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:3 stir something deep in my spirit: “Make every effort . . . ” What a charge! This is not a passive suggestion—it’s a rallying cry to intentional action.
The Grismore’s Garage
One of the joys of my job is watching the way the Lord weaves together each missionary’s story, background, and gifting to minister to those they serve in their own special way. Our staff’s creativity, compassion, and commitment open doors for the gospel that might otherwise remain closed. This is certainly true for Cadence staff, Dwight and Letty Grismore, who serve near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Their unique gifts are channels of God’s grace and hope, as they shared in a recent letter to supporters:
The Lighthouse
Each day, Cadence missionaries share Christ’s love, offer encouragement, and walk alongside those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Two of our Cadence staff, Duncan and Suzanne Forbes, faithfully share the gospel and their lives with those in the Yokosuka military community.
Maintain
Paul’s call in Ephesians 4:3 includes a powerful word: “maintain.” Unity in the body of Christ is not something we manufacture—it is something we receive from the Spirit, who calls us to preserve it.
At Cadence International, we recognize that unity is both a gift and a stewardship. In our unique ministry context, where cultures, backgrounds, and deployments converge, our missionaries work daily to maintain the bond of peace that the Spirit has already forged.
Make Every Effort
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
As I reflect on the calling we share in this gospel work, Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:3 stir something deep in my spirit: “Make every effort . . . ” What a charge! This is not a passive suggestion—it’s a rallying cry to intentional action.
Thankful Then, Thankful Now
1ST BATTALION, 35TH ARMOR REGIMENT, 1ST ARMORED DIVISION, BAUMHOLDER, GERMANY (“THE ROCK!”)
This was my first duty assignment in the Army for my wife Aimee and me as we arrived in Germany in September 1999. We had been married eight months; I had been in the Army nine months; and now we were about to figure out married life, Army life, and overseas life all at once. As I think back to that first Thanksgiving in Germany, I had no idea how grateful we would be for the community we were beginning to encounter at the Cadence hospitality house.
We Share
We share the gospel and our lives with the military community.
For 70 years, the mission of Cadence International has aligned and galvanized our staff in their fruitful ministry to military people and their families. When I think back on the 40 years Joyce and I have served in Cadence, the unrelenting focus of our hearts has been on this mission of loving military people.
As the Deer Pants
Have you ever been so thirsty that nothing mattered more than finding something to quench your thirst?
Earlier this year, I found myself in a situation where I was thirstier than I had ever been. I was in the hospital due to lung-related issues and needed a procedure performed under anesthesia. They gave me the typical “no food or drink after midnight” instructions ahead of time—no big deal. However, after the procedure, when I awoke and needed the help of a BiPAP machine to keep my oxygen levels up, I started to experience extreme thirst. Each minute the BiPAP mask was on my face, forcing pressurized air into my nose and mouth, I became more and more desperate for even just an ice cube. It would end up being five hours before I was allowed to drink some water.
Setting Our Minds on Things Above
It’s time for a New Year’s resolution check-in. Did you make one, and if so, how is that going?
A few years ago, I heard someone being interviewed on a podcast about New Year’s resolutions. They gave some statistics stating that 43% of people quit their resolutions by the end of January, and only about 9% keep their resolutions for the entire year. Wow! That’s not very encouraging, and it begs the question of why bother making a resolution to begin with.
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.
This Present Moment
“Really, God?”
Am I the only one who asks that question from time to time? Over and over, I have found myself in new environments. Military moves, different ministry locations, and changing seasons of life bring new relationships and variables, and it can be so easy in those moments to feel the weight of change.
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.”
Happy Birthday Cadence!
I wonder what birthdays were like in Bible times. Did the Apostle Paul’s mother throw a celebration for him each year as he grew up? I also wonder what birthdays were like for the OCSC/Cadence missionary families who served overseas in the 1950’s. My Burundian friend Isaiah was in Colorado last year on his birthday, and we had a celebration for him. He had never been given a birthday cake and treating him to this American tradition was fun.
Steps of Faith
A few evenings ago, I attended a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater here in Morrison, Colorado. This iconic venue is a favorite of fans and artists everywhere, and experiencing a concert there is a bucket-list event for many people. The amphitheater is nestled within these gigantic red stone formations jutting out of the earth giving the venue its unique beauty and top-notch sound.
During the daytime, exercise enthusiasts flock to this amphitheater to be challenged by the steep incline, the 145 steps from stage to top, and the satisfaction of surviving a workout at around 6,450 feet above sea level. Personally, I prefer the music experience!