OCF Crosspoint Podcast OCF Crosspoint

Today, you’ll hear audio from the conclusion of a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon’s Aspentime Retreat. If you’re new to OCF and you’ve never heard of Spring Canyon, it’s OCF’s western conference and retreat center located near Buena Vista, Colorado. And if you’ve never heard of Aspentime, it’s a weekend getaway at Spring Canyon for Christian military members and families, and it features teaching and small group sessions led by a speaker like CH Snodgrass.
Participants at the weekend retreat explored the profound concept of spiritual formation through the lens of renowned authors such as John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Donald Whitney, and they uncovered principles and practices that challenge contemporary ideals, emphasizing the necessity of community in the pursuit of spiritual growth. There were also interactive discussions, activities, and real-life applications in which leaders discovered how to build and sustain a vibrant military ministry while fostering personal renewal in an increasingly secular world and military.
 
About CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA
Chaplain Jacob Snodgrass is a native of Ames, OK, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was commissioned from ROTC in 2002, and has served as a Chaplain since 2009, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as the 10th Special Forces Group Chaplain and as the lead pastor of Agape Carson, Fort Carson, CO.
Chaplain Snodgrass has served numerous assignments as a chaplain, pastor, and church planter, including Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Lewis, WA; and Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was named U.S. Army Chaplain of the Year in 2019. Chaplain Snodgrass has been married for 18 years to the former Heather Dostal of Leakenheath, UK, and they have six kids: Manuel 24, Karmen 22, Gage 15, Boyce 14, Jovie 11, and Bennett 8.

Today, you’ll hear audio from Part 2 of a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon’s Aspentime Retreat. If you’re new to OCF and you’ve never heard of Spring Canyon, it’s OCF’s western conference and retreat center located near Buena Vista, Colorado. And if you’ve never heard of Aspentime, it’s a weekend getaway at Spring Canyon for Christian military members and families, and it features teaching and small group sessions led by a speaker like CH Snodgrass.
Participants at the weekend retreat explored the profound concept of spiritual formation through the lens of renowned authors such as John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Donald Whitney, and they uncovered principles and practices that challenge contemporary ideals, emphasizing the necessity of community in the pursuit of spiritual growth. There were also interactive discussions, activities, and real-life applications in which leaders discovered how to build and sustain a vibrant military ministry while fostering personal renewal in an increasingly secular world and military.
 
About CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA
Chaplain Jacob Snodgrass is a native of Ames, OK, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was commissioned from ROTC in 2002, and has served as a Chaplain since 2009, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as the 10th Special Forces Group Chaplain and as the lead pastor of Agape Carson, Fort Carson, CO.
Chaplain Snodgrass has served numerous assignments as a chaplain, pastor, and church planter, including Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Lewis, WA; and Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was named U.S. Army Chaplain of the Year in 2019. Chaplain Snodgrass has been married for 18 years to the former Heather Dostal of Leakenheath, UK, and they have six kids: Manuel 24, Karmen 22, Gage 15, Boyce 14, Jovie 11, and Bennett 8.

Today, you’ll hear audio from a speaking session by CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA, this past fall at Spring Canyon’s Aspentime Retreat. If you’re new to OCF and you’ve never heard of Spring Canyon, it’s OCF’s western conference and retreat center located near Buena Vista, Colorado. And if you’ve never heard of Aspentime, it’s a weekend getaway at Spring Canyon for Christian military members and families, and it features teaching and small group sessions led by a speaker like CH Snodgrass.
Participants at the weekend retreat explored the profound concept of spiritual formation through the lens of renowned authors such as John Mark Comer, Dallas Willard, John Ortberg, and Donald Whitney, and they uncovered principles and practices that challenge contemporary ideals, emphasizing the necessity of community in the pursuit of spiritual growth. There were also interactive discussions, activities, and real-life applications in which leaders discovered how to build and sustain a vibrant military ministry while fostering personal renewal in an increasingly secular world and military.
 
About CH(MAJ) Jake Snodgrass, USA
Chaplain Jacob Snodgrass is a native of Ames, OK, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Applied Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He was commissioned from ROTC in 2002, and has served as a Chaplain since 2009, endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention. He currently serves as the 10th Special Forces Group Chaplain and as the lead pastor of Agape Carson, Fort Carson, CO.
Chaplain Snodgrass has served numerous assignments as a chaplain, pastor, and church planter, including Camp Humphreys, Korea; Fort Lewis, WA; and Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was named U.S. Army Chaplain of the Year in 2019. Chaplain Snodgrass has been married for 18 years to the former Heather Dostal of Leakenheath, UK, and they have six kids: Manuel 24, Karmen 22, Gage 15, Boyce 14, Jovie 11, and Bennett 8.

Got an idea for a guest or topic?  
If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. 
 
Show Notes:  
Today’s guest is Col Jassen Bluto, USAF, (Ret.), a 32-year veteran who commanded four squadrons, served in combat in Iraq, and oversaw physical security and anti-terrorism policy and training at Air National Guard headquarters. He also gained extensive leadership experience in academia and then in law enforcement, where he served on three separate police agencies before retiring as a detective from an agency in Los Angeles County. 
Pulling from decades of experience in enlisted and commissioned roles, Jassen shares three leadership principles–trust, respect, and caring–principles that inspired his short book titled Three Leadership Principles for the Christian in the Military. While the military certainly provides ample leadership training and experience, Jassen shares about the importance of leading from a Christ-centered life, Bible verses that shape his leadership style, and more. 
>Check out these resources mentioned in Jassen’s interview: 
Three Leadership Principles for the Christian in the Military, Jassen’s short book that features Biblical examples and methodology  Leadership Essentials Podcast, Jassen’s podcast that focuses on practical insights for leaders   
>Study questions for this episode
As you listen to this conversation with Jassen, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor: 
How would you characterize a good leader and a bad leader?  What effect does right relationship with God have on our relationships with others on earth, especially in leadership contexts?  What Bible verses come to mind to shape your leadership practices?  How does humility produce good leadership?  Why is it important to have deeper relationships with those operating under your leadership?  Who in your life is providing you with feedback in order to develop your leadership skills? 

Got an idea for a guest or topic?  
If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. 
 
Show Notes 
How do emotional intelligence (known as EQ) and leadership go together? What does EQ have to do with leading in the military? How does EQ line up with scripture?
Noble Gibbens, also known as the EQ Gangster, joins me on the podcast to answer these questions. An Oklahoma-born West Point graduate who served in the U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne Division, Noble combined his entrepreneurial spirit and experience with his passion for emotional intelligence to become a certified emotional intelligence practitioner, corporate speaker & trainer, and executive leadership coach. 
After growing up in a home where he “learned absolutely nothing about conflict resolution” and realizing his emotional dysfunction in his own home as an adult, Noble met with a counselor and began his emotional fitness journey. In this episode, he defines emotional intelligence, shares experiences with leadership in and out of the military context, talks about David and other biblical examples of emotional intelligence, and more. 
Check out these resources mentioned in Noble’s interview: 
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Dr. Travis Bradberry and Dr. Jean Greaves  EQ-i 2.0, an online self-rating assessment tool  EQ Gangster podcast, Episode #273: Dr. Brooks Gibbs, Emotional Resilience in Teens & Adults, and Creating Unstoppable Humans  Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You by Dr. Henry Cloud  Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Dr. Henry Cloud, Dr. John Townsend  Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box by The Arbinger Institute  Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect by Jonice Webb, PhD, with Christine Musello Running on Empty No More: Transform Your Relationships With Your Partner, Your Parents and Your Children by Jonice Webb, PhD  
As you listen to this conversation with Noble, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor: 
How would you define emotional intelligence?  Think back to your own upbringing. How did your community, family, etc. talk about emotions? How has that impacted your understanding of emotional intelligence now?  To pose Noble's question mentioned in this episode: How often do anxiety and frustrations, motivation, impulses, fear, and distress affect and impact your decision-making?  Having listened to Noble explain the impact emotional intelligence can have on working relationships, what can improve within your own workplace?  We talk about Jesus as the biblical model of being unoffendable, a trait that indicates high emotional intelligence. What can we learn from His example?   

Got an idea for a guest or topic?  
If you would like to share your own story, complete the form on OCF’s “Be a Guest” webpage. Alternatively, if you have an idea for a guest or topic I should consider for a future episode of the show, send an email to podcast@ocfusa.org. 
 
Show Notes  
So many conversations within the OCF community circle back to this question: How ought Christians in the military integrate their faith and profession? One week after graduating from high school, CW4 Rich Smith, USA (Ret.), embarked on 24 years of military service that provided him experiences that answer that very question. Upon retiring from the Army, Rich has developed a passion for encouraging other service members not to camouflage their faith in Christ during their years in the military.  
In this episode, we discuss what hinders and helps Christians live out their faith in the military, his personal experiences with Christian fellowship during years on active duty, and more. He also shares about his book, Camouflaged Christian, which provides a deeper dive on the topics he discussed on Crosspoint. Rich now resides in his hometown of Rome, New York, with wife Teri and granddaughters Amerie, Elodie, and Maisy.
As you listen to this conversation with Rich, here are a few questions to ponder in your personal time, with a small group, or with a mentor: 
What motivates you to camouflage your faith while serving in the military context?  How does Ephesians 6:10-20 encourage you to live out your faith in all areas of life?  Rich shares a couple of personal anecdotes about how fellowship with other believers strengthened his walk during his time in the Army. What impact have you seen fellowship or the absence of it have in your own life?  What Scripture can you commit to memory for the seemingly impossible tasks you’ll face at work?  Rich talks about the value of turning to the Bible first in all circumstances. What things do you find yourself turning to first for encouragement, comfort, etc.?