Colonel Art Athens' Ministry At The Naval Academy

While I was at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) as a Midshipmen, one of the Christian ministry organizations I participated in was Officers' Christian Fellowship (OCF). Commander Tom Thompson led that organization while I was there (1995-1999), and he and his wife, Mary, poured the Word of God and much love, counseling, prayer, and love into me in numerous ways. There were weekly OCF meetings on Thursday nights in Mitscher Hall - we prayed, sang, heard solid preaching, and had Bible studies and fellowship. We had fellowship nights at the Thompson home right outside gate 3 with great food (thanks Mary!) and more singing, prayer, and excellent Bible teaching and testimonies. Then there were weekly discipleship meetings. I looked forward to these meetings with Tom - he would meet with me and disciple me on how to walk with Jesus and teach me to obey all of Jesus' commands, even in really hard situations. He helped me fight sin. He prayed for me. He taught me how to be a man after God's own heart through the Word, prayer, and example. These years shaped my Christian life very deeply. I would never be the same.

OCF also had special speakers come in from time to time at the Naval Academy and also at the White Sulfur Springs Retreat Center for OCF retreats. The most memorable special speaker we had was Colonel Art Athens. Below are links to some of the sermons he preached to us while I was at the Academy. Please listen and be encouraged.

Sermon At USNA OCF Meeting

Serving With Humility

Sermons At OCF Retreat, White Sulfur Springs

1. Decompartmentalize Your Life

2. Looking Up

3. Walking With God

4. Persevere

Best Article On Evangelism

Colonel Athens wrote the best article I've ever read on evangelism: Go To Hell!

Other Lectures On Leadership

I did not hear these lectures when I was at USNA, and they are given in a secular environment, but they are very helpful on leadership.

1. Vision As A Leader, Stories, And Leading With Love

2. Leading In The Midst Of Personal Crisis

3. Competence, Courage, Compassion

4. Four Leadership Styles: Finding Your Sweet Spot And Helping Others Do The Same

5. What's Love Got To Do With It?

PDF: What's Love Got To Do With It?

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here and here for free!