STORIES FROM THE FIELD
FROM THE VICE 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.
Highlights from the Asia Field
Joyce and I recently returned from a wonderful trip visiting our Cadence staff and their ministries in Korea, Okinawa, and mainland Japan. It was a true Cadence experience from the first day until the last.
The Power of Community
Janelle Mebust is one of Cadence’s newer Headquarters staff, serving first with our Donor Services and now on the Human Resources team. Every month we sign an electronic birthday card for our HQ celebrants. The following is Janelle’s response to the words written in her card. She wants you to know that some of her words are selected from one of her pastor’s recent sermons.
Cadence Staff Spotlight
I’d like to introduce you to Jeremy and Shawna Quattlebaum who have been serving with Cadence Intentional since 2013. For seven of those years they ministered at The Lighthouse, Cadence’s hospitality house ministry to the Sailors and their families stationed at the U.S. Navy Base—Fleet Activities in Yokosuka, Japan. It is the largest overseas U.S. Navy installation, strategically important in the region, and Cadence has experienced thriving, fruitful ministry there since 1969!
Ministry Spotlight—Victory Villa, Rota, Spain
For almost 50 years, Cadence International has been sharing the gospel and our lives at Victory Villa, a hospitality house in Rota, Spain. The property, strategically located just a short walk from the main gate, occupies four acres of land overlooking the Bay of Cadiz. The easy access from base, beautiful setting, and warm welcome from Cadence staff make the Villa a haven of peace and spiritual refreshment for military personnel and their families.
Highlights from the Asia Field
Joyce and I recently returned from a wonderful trip visiting our Cadence staff and their ministries in Korea, Okinawa, and mainland Japan. It was a true Cadence experience from the first day until the last.
The Power of Community
Janelle Mebust is one of Cadence’s newer Headquarters staff, serving first with our Donor Services and now on the Human Resources team. Every month we sign an electronic birthday card for our HQ celebrants. The following is Janelle’s response to the words written in her card. She wants you to know that some of her words are selected from one of her pastor’s recent sermons.
Cadence Staff Spotlight
I’d like to introduce you to Jeremy and Shawna Quattlebaum who have been serving with Cadence Intentional since 2013. For seven of those years they ministered at The Lighthouse, Cadence’s hospitality house ministry to the Sailors and their families stationed at the U.S. Navy Base—Fleet Activities in Yokosuka, Japan. It is the largest overseas U.S. Navy installation, strategically important in the region, and Cadence has experienced thriving, fruitful ministry there since 1969!
Ministry Spotlight—Victory Villa, Rota, Spain
For almost 50 years, Cadence International has been sharing the gospel and our lives at Victory Villa, a hospitality house in Rota, Spain. The property, strategically located just a short walk from the main gate, occupies four acres of land overlooking the Bay of Cadiz. The easy access from base, beautiful setting, and warm welcome from Cadence staff make the Villa a haven of peace and spiritual refreshment for military personnel and their families.
Celebrating 50 Years of the Travis Hospitality House
Joyce and I recently participated in the 50th celebration of the Travis Hospitality House ministry near Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. Fifty years! Not only has this hospitality house been a beacon of hope for this military community for 50 years, but the ministry has been located on the same five-acre property and facility the entire time. This property was purchased by Cadence in 1973 under the direction of one of the mission’s founding couples, Tom and Dotty Hash.
Around 80 people attended this celebration, and we heard stirring stories from our Travis Hospitality House alumni of how God transformed their lives during their time in that place.
One Day Well Spent
Psalm 84:10a says, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.”
This Psalm was written by the Sons of Korah who were responsible for the worship at the temple of God for the people of Israel in Old Testament times. The psalmists focus on the beauty of dwelling in the presence of God and the reality of pilgrimage for God’s people.
Celebration and Service
America just celebrated its 247th birthday on the Fourth of July. Joyce and I hosted over sixty Cadence-connected people at our house for dinner and fireworks. Our home affords a wonderful view of our city’s firework show, and this gathering has been an annual tradition for most of the past twenty years.
Trusting God Since 1954
It was June 1954, Jesse and Nettie Miller had returned to the United States from serving as missionaries in the Philippines. In addition to their ministry with Filipinos, they had hosted meals and Bible studies for military men, and that outreach grew to where the Millers needed to decide if they would focus on local ministry or military ministry. Tom Hash and C.P. Tarkington were two servicemen whom Jesse led to Christ in those years. They and others gathered in Chicago that June for a reunion. Then Tom, Tark, Dick Patty, and Jesse and Nettie stayed on a couple of days to pray and seek the Lord. Tark described this time in a letter from 1955:
Invitation to Israel
“I’m here to feel the scars of Jesus.”
I spoke those words as a young man in 1987 during a devotional on “doubting Thomas” from John 20:24–29. Joyce and I had joined the K-Town and Baumholder hospitality houses on an amazing trip to the Holy Land of Israel.
A Prelude to the Great Commission
“. . . but some doubted.”
Three simple words tucked away in the grand narrative of Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and commissioning.
The disciples had likely just experienced a full range of emotions as they journeyed with Jesus through Passion Week. Matthew records their reactions to the resurrection of our Savior in chapter 28 verse 9, “Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.” Awe and adoration were the only possible responses to the risen Christ!
Life-Changing Community
Fort Polk is located in the Vernon Parish of Louisiana. The fort is under the command of the Joint Readiness Training Center of the 4th Brigade and is the only training center in the Army which both trains and deploys units for combat missions. Approximately 9,000 active-duty military call Fort Polk their home.
We Send
The Cadence Way lists five priorities that describe the unique ways Cadence ministers to and impacts military communities and the world for Christ. You can find them on the front page of Cadence.org. They are:
To Live is Christ
I recently attended the memorial service for a Wycliffe missionary who went to heaven after a battle with cancer. She and her husband share the same sending church with Joyce and me here in Littleton, Colorado. Two of their daughters were active in the young adult church group which we led and taught for nine years.