Depending on your family, the words “family reunion” may bring joy, anticipation, excitement, anxiety, or maybe, for some, even dread. At the first family reunion of One Challenge alumni, held in late May, the word that comes to mind is nostalgia.
Watch some video highlights from the recent One Challenge Alumni Reunion Retreat, where past and present OC workers came together to reconnect and share stories of the past and hopes for the future…
Decorated with pictures of past and present workers, the meeting room hummed with chatter of stories, catch-ups, and reminiscing of the early days of One Challenge. Although the ones who started it all, Dick Hillis and Ells Culver, have passed into glory, members of One Challenge’s first team in Taiwan, Norm and Muriel Cook and Hans and Alice Wilhelm, were in attendance. Many others, names like Hardeman, Boesel, Brown, Van Meter, Rapier, De Vries, Gripentrog, and Platt came, along with several other alumni of distinction.
Old friendships and new, the stories and laughter never stopped. Praising what the Lord has done through One Challenge was a theme. Celebrating the way He has worked among his people and praying he will continue to do so.
A Gathering of the Like-Minded
Hans Wilhem (a worker who has served in Taiwan, Brazil, Germany, and Africa) says, “Coming to this retreat is really the fulfillment of a dream I’ve had for 15 years. People are the greatest resources of any organization and why don’t we bring people, even ones who have left the mission, who have gone to other areas, to come back together because they all love OC. Today’s the realization of that dream.”
Keith Brown, a worker who served in the Philippines, says he and his wife Char signed up right away to reconnect and reminisce with the attendees. “OC really is a very unique organization and the kind of people that OC has attracted through the years are people that really love the Lord and are committed to doing the ministry of the Lord, but also who enjoy having a lot of fun,” Keith says.
Lois (Fast) Vogan, who worked at One Challenge headquarters in all of its California offices before the move to Colorado says, “OC is family to me, and they will always be my family.”
What a two and a half days of laughing together, crying together, sharing each other lives, and praise the Lord for his goodness. One Challenge can’t wait for the next one!
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Thanks, dear Jim and Sue + committee members, who labored and loved so well to make it all possible!
You really captured those unforgettable moments of this “OC family reunion”!
An unforgettable, wonderful, rich time of fellowship and worship. Thank you so much for all you did to bring us together!
Love the video… and the opportunity to have spent these days with precious OC alumni. Kathie and I soaked in the beauty and vibrance of these respected members of the One Challenge family. Remembering what the Lord did in the past inspires us to press wholeheartedly into the future. We’re building upon the foundation they’ve laid.
What an honor to sit at the feet of people who have courageously spread the Good News! What a privilege to hear the God stories of OC’s early history. OC continues to expand upon their passion and foundational ministries. Grateful for a venue in which transparency, laughter, joys and tears could be shared. Thanks to all for being such an inspiration. Thank you for being in the crowd cheering One Challenge on today.
So great hearing the stories. The foundation of One Challenge is so rich! So inspiring!