1 Chronicles 16:34 teaches us to “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
The Lord is faithful in all his work and creative in the many ways he allows us to serve. I’ve had the privilege of serving the Lord through PWOC for 30 years and running The Hub for the last 13 years. Many of you may not even know who I am, and that is ok, too. I hope in years to come; all you remember is I pointed to Jesus. I’m thankful I’ve been trusted to present the Gospel through the Hub.
The Lord had Julie McCammon and me at the right place, at the right time, thinking similarly about the way forward in 2012 when, suddenly, PWOC International transitioned to PWOC local. Though you didn’t know it, Julie worked behind the scenes for many years keeping higher ups aware of what it takes to keep PWOC going and making sure PWOC could keep walking forward in excellence. I’m thankful for her dedication and friendship.
Retired Chaplains Ken Stice and Bobby Whitlock encouraged all our team to think creatively and keep moving forward after the 2012 transition from International to local. I’m thankful for their early wisdom and encouragement.
There were lots of bumps and tumbles along the way, but the Lord used PWOC sisters to pick me up and encourage me during deployments, parenting, moving and farewells, and limited Chapel funding. I have watched many of you ladies come alongside Chaplains to bring the Gospel to military women and families at every duty station in PWOCs. I’m thankful for all the ladies working for the Gospel in PWOCs everywhere.
To my husband, Retired Chaplain Jeff Dillard: Just before we were married 30 years ago, you had PWOC ladies send me letters to tell me what PWOC was all about. You have been an advocate for PWOC all these years and made it possible, in so many ways, for me to do what I did on the Hub. Your care for the Gospel in military Chapels kept many a ministry centered on Christ and pursuing the Word. I’m thankful you are chasing after Jesus with me.
As I say farewell, it is not the end. Another team, headed by Alexis Anderson, is taking over the Hub. They love Jesus and are passionate about PWOC, too. I’m thankful for their heart to keep bringing the Gospel to military women and families through PWOC.
I have no doubt the Lord will continue to use
PWOCs everywhere for His Glory!
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With thankfullness and joy,
Lauren Dillard and I were two out of four people selected for the final PWOC International Board in the Fall of 2012, alongside Andrea Plotner and Katie Payne. I held the 2VP Leadership Development position, which would have been in charge of Wild Weekends for training incoming Executive Boards across the military. All four of us had vision and hearts to serve PWOC. After only about a month, we were told our job was to shut down all higher leadership beyond the local level, by order of the Chief of Chaplains of the Army. We engaged the Chief’s Office on behalf of the ministry. We fought. We pleaded. We lost. I cannot describe our grief—your grief. Yet, in the middle of that sorrow, God sent us the same verse repeatedly,
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland,“ – Isaiah 43:18-19.
So, we chose to trust, and we stepped down. February 28, 2013, PWOC International shut down, but PWOC did not. God was and is doing a new thing.
Almost exactly seven years to the day, the Chief of Chaplains of the Army called me in response to research data I sent to his office. See I am doing a new thing… The conversation about a PWOC Leadership Development Program (LDP) began. Three years later, the program was released alongside an overdue update of the PWOC Ministry Manual …now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I had the honor of leading a large team of PWOC leaders, Chaplains, and DREs, for both projects. I felt like I finally got to do the job that I was selected for in 2012. The whole purpose of the Manual and the LDP was to put tools in the hands of the local leaders and to strengthen the partnership between PWOC and the Chaplain Corps, since we would not exist without it. I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
To Lauren: You and I have run our leg of the relay. You are my hero! You call yourself “only a librarian” (insert huge eyeroll). TheHubPWOC.net has filled such a vital gap and has been a source of unification and continuity; I shudder to think where we would be without it. Thank you, Lauren! Our stories have intertwined since 2012. It is my privilege to have served alongside you all these years, and it is my privilege to go out with you now. You have been so very faithful.
To all my PWOC sisters: Keep running the race! Keep your eyes on Jesus. PWOC is His ministry and His alone. We carry the baton for our leg of the race, but He is the author and sustainer of our beloved ministry; we cannot forget that. All eyes on Him. Audience of One.
All my love,
Thank you for your service! PWOC has meant much to me over the last 25 years. Your behind the scenes work has enabled many PWOC chapters to continue. My involvement brought me to the Hub many times- such a great resource! I am amazed at how wonderful that site is and all by volunteers! We have just retired this month and I’ll continue to pray for PWOC. I have seen God working on military bases, reaching the women, through the tireless yet joyful effort of PWOC. Much love!
Thank you both for your faithfulness to PWOC through the years. The Hub has been an invaluable resource for me and my boards. You both have been a blessing.
Thank you dear ladies, for your continued love and nurturing of PWOC, a special ministry in my life for many years. I teach a Bible study in a local church now but it all came about thru the training and confidence I gained in PWOC ministry. When the shutdown happened, the Hub was a vital resource that gave us hope and guidance so solid leadership and teaching could continue. We are “eternally” grateful!
Thank you for your faithfulness, and dedication to the sisters in Christ, your love and devotion didn’t go unnoticed
So grateful for you both… all your knowledge, skill, gifts, time, and love for the Lord that you have poured out for PWOC. Thank you for carrying the baton and ensuring that the women of PWOC were equipped and encouraged to flourish in this new season. You blessed the ministry. You blessed me. May you both be blessed in abundance as you step into your own personal “new”. Well done!
Thank you for all the hard work behind the scenes keeping the resources and encouragement current and vibrant! Thank you for carrying on the legacy of those who have gone before, helping coordinate the many facets during the grief and rebuilding and providing a light for those who are coming after. You have run your course with excellence!
I am personally thankful and blessed that you were there to continue into the unknown. PWOC has been such a big part of my life ”growing up”. I miss it and am grateful for all the friendships made through being involved.
May God bless you as you head to new adventures. May God continue to bless PWOC.
I am honored and humbled to have gotten to learn and serve with both of you. Your efforts, passion for the ministry and live for Jesus are true examples for many of us. Thank you for your tireless work to keep resources available that sustain, build and grow this ministry for military women. As you both walk out a new season, May the Lord bless you and keep you and open new doors to use your gifts for His glory.
I’m new to the military (5yr CH spouse) but not new to ministry, going on almost 20yrs in ministry.
Y’all have created such a gift and legacy through your ministry despite clear avenues and processes. Thank you for not giving up!
I can lead with confidence because of your tireless efforts.
Thank you for your service to the military community and your faithfulness to the LORD and our PWOC ministry. I pray for you as you transition to new things. God Bless you richly.