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Happily Serving in the Air Force Reserve

During the graduation ceremony for completion of the Air Force Basic Chaplain’s course, Kristina is presented with the Commandant’s Award for a paper she wrote on being a chaplain. Her entire paper was read during the ceremony.

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By Chaplain (First Lieutenant) Kristina Goecker, United States Air Force Reserves

One of the things from my childhood that I really thank God for is having grown up as an Air Force chaplain’s child. This upbringing gave me a unique perspective of the Air Force chaplain ministry as well as the Air Force as a whole. When I was a young child, I wanted to be a missionary. After September 11, 2001, as I watched the men and women of the Air Force prepare for and engage in war, my heart broke for them and their families. It was at this time that I recognized a call on my life to the Air Force chaplaincy. Upon graduating high school, I started planning to follow my call of becoming an Air Force chaplain; however, I bought into the lie that as a woman I could not become a chaplain and stopped my pursuit of the chaplaincy. 

I went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from New Hope Christian College in Eugene, Oregon, and was pastoring. However, even though I loved the ministry, I knew that this was not where I was supposed to be. After a “come-to-God” moment, I surrendered to the Lord my concern about serving as a chaplain as a woman and applied to a Master of Divinity program and for ordination.  

Chaplains learning the finer points of devotionals for deployed
and home-side airmen.

An amazing program that is offered to people in seminary who are interested in military chaplaincy and working on their MDiv degrees is the Chaplain Candidate Program (CCP). The Army, Navy, and Air Force all have their own CCPs, which are run differently. They all aim to give seminary students the chance to experience military chaplaincy and see if it is where God is calling them. I went with the Air Force CCP and started my training in May of 2017. 

The CCP provided me amazing opportunities over the course of three summers to experience the ministry of a chaplain. I learned a lot from my fellow candidates and chaplain mentors and was reaffirmed in my calling. An additional great benefit to participating in the CCP is the pay. As a CCP participant, I was a commissioned officer and received pay for my service over the summer. This was very helpful to me as a financially-struggling seminary student. 

The Chaplain Corp Schoolhouse uses virtual technology to enable chaplains to experience a dignified transfer. (A dignified transfer occurs when the remains of someone who has fallen in battle is being returned home; it takes place on the back of a plane.)

Once I finished my MDIV and final CCP training tour, I was ready to put in my packet for the Air Force Reserve chaplaincy. After working through the process my first drill with the 477th Fighter Group took place in February of 2020. I feel blessed to get to serve the men and women of the Air Force Reserve. The Air Force requires two years of post-MDiv ministry experience before going into active duty. I believe that God has called me to active duty service, and I will continue moving in that direction. 

During the (virtual) graduation ceremony for completion of the Air Force Basic Chaplain’s course, Kristina is presented with the Commandant’s Award for a paper she wrote on being a chaplain. Her entire paper was read during the ceremony. 

About the Author

First Lieutenant Kristina Goecker, a chaplain serving the men and women of the United States Air Force Reserve, is working toward active duty service.

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Florida Open Bible Church Brings Hope to the Homeless 

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There are over 10,000 homeless citizens in Lee County, Florida, but thanks to a creative nonprofit idea and a fully sponsored shower trailer, Open Bible Community Church (OBCC) has found a unique way to serve them.  

The 32-foot long shower trailer, housing two separate rooms and ten private showers.

Located in North Fort Myers, OBCC is pastored by Joe and Pat VanEst. When Hurricane Ian hit their county in 2022 and homelessness exploded, pastors Joe and Pat responded by founding “Hope Ambassadors,” a nonprofit designed to empower individuals through disaster relief and ongoing rehabilitative efforts.  

Beginning by providing food and hygiene kits to homeless communities, the team soon realized there was a need for showering facilities. Through a string of miracles and one philanthropic donor, a shower trailer was purchased, and Hope Ambassadors now owns the only shower trailer in Southwest Florida. Housing two rooms and ten total shower units, the trailer visits two homeless communities twice a week and has already provided nearly 500 showers to families in need.  

“This has totally changed the thinking of our church,” says Pastor Joe VanEst. “We are building relationships with these folks, and it’s only a matter of time until we can share Jesus with them.” Already, the church has seen growth from visitors who have come to church after using the shower trailer.  

Hope Ambassadors is quickly building relationships with other local nonprofits that provide services like haircuts, food, and clothing. Future dreams include creating a commercial kitchen that would create nutritious, freeze-dried meals for hungry families. Hope Ambassadors’ mission statement is “To heal communities in the spirit of unity,” and thanks to God’s grace and provision, they are well on their way. 

“This has totally changed the thinking of our church”

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He Has Made Room for Us 

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Rehoboth Open Bible Church has stood strong for forty-five years. Our journey began in the cozy apartment living room of Revs. Easton and Joy Grant in Brooklyn, New York, with seven adults and seven children. As the years passed and our congregation flourished, outgrowing the capacity of two hundred set by the NYC Department of Buildings, the church initiated a second service in 1998 and began an arduous search for a new, larger home, a journey that has tested our determination and resilience. 

Finding a suitable space to meet [in Brooklyn] is daunting, with people seeming to occupy every square inch

Brooklyn, one of the most densely populated counties in the United States, presents a unique set of challenges for churches. Finding a suitable space to meet is daunting, with people seeming to occupy every square inch. There are no new spaces for churches in New York. Currently existing churches were originally built in the 1800s, often by Catholics and Presbyterians; modern churches must convert commercial spaces or purchase existing spaces occupied by older churches or temples. Even when property can be found, political and business environs do not want such valuable real estate removed from the tax roll and often restrict access by religious non-profit organizations. Thus, most churches in Brooklyn are classified as storefronts, utilizing small commercial retail spaces or the front rooms of homes.  

When we were appointed as pastors of Rehoboth in 2011, the search for a larger facility was already ongoing. Four months into our role, we drove by a former Jewish temple on 888 East 56th Street which had a sign saying, “For Sale or Triple Net Lease.” Despite our uncertainty, we called the listed number and met with the owner.  

Founding Pastor Easton Grant prays over current pastors Leroy and Dalton Spencer

Most of the property was in a deplorable condition, requiring eyes of faith to visualize its value. Based on the redlining lending practices of the neighborhood and commercial banks’ refusal to lend to churches, the likelihood of acquisition was slim to none. Negotiations were painful, but after numerous meetings and much prayer, two years later we achieved an owner-seller financing purchase. That was the first miracle in the journey to 888, since we would not have been able to qualify for financing on the open market.  

The purchase consumed all the church’s savings and more. Despite this, God provided monthly mortgage payments of $16.1k while funding the church’s day-to-day operations, our second miracle.  

888 East 56th Street is more than a building. It continues the legacy of bringing Rehoboth’s soul to life.

We launched a three-year capital campaign in 2015 that proved God’s power in Rehoboth’s life at a new level. Like Gideon, God used a small group to catch the vision, amassing funds exceeding the pledged amount by nearly forty percent! God’s faithfulness gave birth to the third miracle – providing the equity needed to match our upcoming construction loan.   

In 2019, six years after purchasing the property, we obtained a construction loan and refinanced the seller’s note at a lower interest rate, providing more funds for renovation – miracle number four. 

With much excitement after the groundbreaking in December 2019, construction began in March 2020. Three weeks in, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, sending NYC spiraling. The city that never sleeps shut down tight for three months. While COVID-19 kept us all enclosed, our property renovations were in limbo. Unattended projects suffered, material prices quadrupled, and labor costs followed suit.  

Rehoboth church members march in celebration from their old church location to the new one at 888 E 56th

The challenge of dealing with unscrupulous consultants, renegotiating contracts, finding new subcontractors, confronting disfavored lending practices, and seeking to manage construction timelines was an enormous feat. But God provided miracle after miracle by granting favor, stretching finances, creating new alliances, empowering us with new boldness to advocate, and providing the changes we needed while keeping our integrity intact. As one major devious player on the project stated, “With all that I have done, you should not be here. I know God is with you.” To which we say, “Yes, Amen!” God is with us. 

On Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024, we held our final service at our previous address. Afterward, we marched to 888 East 56th Street with a police escort and a drumline, waving palm branches and flags in joyous jubilation. Our seniors who were unable to walk traveled via cars behind the marchers. All reveled in the moment, singing and giving God thanks as we beheld the miracle on East 56th Street and rejoiced in what God had done! 

Upon arrival, we introduced ourselves to the community, recited Psalm 24, opened the doors, and let the King of Glory in! We then held our first service at 888, celebrating jubilantly the fulfillment of the biblical promise our church name represents. The founders of our church chose the name “Rehoboth,” taken from Genesis 26:22:  

The beautiful sanctuary in the new church building

And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So, he called its name Rehoboth because he said, ‘For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land’ (NKJV). 

888 East 56th Street is more than a building. It continues the legacy of bringing Rehoboth’s soul to life, providing room to become, belong, and believe for those who are here and those who are yet to come. What God said with His mouth, He has fulfilled with His hands this day for His glory. He has made room for us! 

About the Author

Leroy and Dalton Spencer

Leroy and Dalton Spencer are the lead pastors at Rehoboth Open Bible Church, in Brooklyn, New York. They have been members of Rehoboth for over 25 years, serving in various capacities before assuming the helm in 2011. They are passionate about advancing the kingdom of God, prayer, and caring for the sheep with a good shepherd’s heart. Leroy and Dalton believe people are our greatest asset and fully embrace the mandate to bring them to maturity by equipping them with the Word and life skills.  

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Teen Entrepreneur Shares Gospel Through Fashion Company 

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Frank Collins III was only seventeen when he had the idea to start a clothing company called “Project M.” Originally standing for “Project Millions,” referring to the millions of dollars he hoped to make, Frank later reconsidered his mission. “I felt like God wanted me to focus on souls instead of dollars.” Today, Project M is doing just that, as its mission statement reflects: “Reaching millions of souls through faith and fashion.”

Two young ladies modeling the popular “Humble Yourself” design

Frank saw a gap in the market, noting that there weren’t many Christian streetwear brands for people his age. He wanted to create an eye-catching brand for a young audience that portrayed God and faith, products that would be attractive and intriguing to non-believers. He began designing hooded sweatshirts, T-shirts, and sweatpants with this goal in mind.

As the sole designer, Frank’s process is to sit down and ask God for ideas before creating new designs in an app. One of Project M’s most popular designs is the “Humble Yourself” hoody. Seeing too many Tik-Tok videos of people bragging about themselves and their belongings, Frank wanted to put out a different message. Based on 1 Peter 5:5-6, this design takes literally the instruction to “clothe yourselves with humility.” Other designs include bold statements like “He Lives in Me” and “Creation in Motion.”

“I want to teach business owners how to focus on the value they can provide people instead of just their financial reward.”

Frank’s first fashion drop in March of 2023 produced only one sale, but his latest, in August of the same year, has earned $10,000. Currently nineteen years old and working towards a degree in Business Administration, Frank continues to think about business differently. He would eventually love to launch a program teaching people how to make money God’s way. “I want to teach business owners how to focus on the value they can provide people instead of just their financial reward.” Frank hopes to create a business model that prioritizes eternal value over monetary value.

“Frank has been well-discipled at his church, Fresh Wind Community Church in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan. His lead pastor, Renita Collins, shared the following: “It is an honor to have a young man in our congregation who is pursuing his calling and sharing his faith uniquely. As an entrepreneur, he is concerned not only with financial success but also spiritual success in reaching the masses for Christ. I am proud to be his pastor and honored to be his mom!”

To learn more about Project M, visit the website at www.project-ms.com or follow on Instagram: project.ms.studios.

Collins family and friends modeling Project M streetwear

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