RMH 2007 Instructors

| RMH1 | RMH 2 | RMH 3 | RMH 4 | RMH 5 | RMH 6

RMH 1

MAJ Rob Borcherding, USA

I grew up in Southern California with the blessings and challenges of being a preacher's kid. Like many of us I heard the military calling my name and off to West Point I went to join the Class of 1993. While there, I renewed my commitment to follow Christ as a sophomore and actively participated in The Navigators (and later OCF, too). Upon graduation, I embarked upon two new journeys. Most importantly, I married the former Anne Pettijohn in June 1993. The next, of course, was the beginning of my service in the Army, initially in the Corps of Engineers.

Fort Bragg and the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne) were our first home from 1994 to 1996. I served there as a platoon leader and Battalion logistics officer. Along the way I graduated from Ranger and Pathfinder schools and became a senior-rated Jumpmaster. The Army then sent me to law school at The University of Virginia under its Funded Legal Education Program. Three years and a bar exam later I joined the Judge Advocate General's Corps. Our next stop was Kaiserslautern , Germany , where we lived from 2000 until 2003 and served in the 21st Theater Support Command. After a year at the Army JAG Corps' graduate course back in Charlottesville , Virginia , we moved to Fort Carson , Colorado , in 2004, where I served as the Group Judge Advocate for the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and joined them for several deployments. Following a year in the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth , Kansas , we now find ourselves back in Charlottesville , where I serve on the staff at The Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School.

Everywhere we've lived I've been active in a local church and Bible study, often serving in leadership roles – currently as the OCF local leader. Life and faith have had their ups and downs; however, I am grateful for the difficult times, and especially for my God and my wife who helped me work through them. My little girls, Katie (9) and Ellie (5), have also been a joy and inspiration.

I have been to Spring Canyon several times and RMH twice before as an instructor. The majesty of God's creation uplifts my soul toward the Creator, and I look forward to sharing that experience and that of my own life with those exploring the intersection of their faith, leadership, and service.

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RMH 2

COL (Ret.) Barry Willey - OCF Field Staff - United States Military Academy

Indiana is my original home and I was born in Batesville (home of the Batesville Casket Company). We moved to the Indianapolis area when I was four years of age. In 1968 I graduated from North Central High School and headed to West Point, New York, attending the U.S. Military Academy and graduating in 1972 as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the U.S. Army.

I married Barb in 1974 and together we became the parents of two great children, Rachael and Jonathan. As a family, we traveled throughout the United States and the world serving the Lord, our Army and our country. I spent much of my military service in infantry units (82d Airborne Division, 24th Infantry Division, The Ranger Training Brigade, among others). As a paratrooper and Army Ranger, I was privileged to serve with some of the finest servicemen and women in our country.

I 1982 I attended Indiana University to earn a Masters Degree in Journalism and go on to spend about 10 years in the Army as a Public Affairs Officer, helping tell our Army’s great story. My deployments, as both an infantryman and public affairs officer, included combat operations on the Island of Grenada in 1983, combat operations during Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991 and stability operations in Haiti during our restoration of democracy to that country in 1994. During my time in Haiti, I was the spokesman for the U.S. military forces, holding more than 100 press conferences and interviews with the world’s media, including many live TV events.

After 29 years of active duty – and 33 years affiliated with Officers’ Christian Fellowship -- I retired from the Army in 2001 and became a strategic communications consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton.

Our children are both on their own now and serving Christ. Barb and I are excited, honored and humbled to have been very recently (Jan 05) selected to be the field staff representatives for Officers’ Christian Fellowship at West Point. Before going back to West Point, I had led dozens of OCF Bible Studies and taught Sunday School in military Chapels throughout our three decades in the Army, while personally discipling nearly 30 men in their Christian faith-walk. Barb was the Director of Children’s Ministry at Burke Community Church in Burke, VA and I was selected to be an Elder and was serving as a 3 & 4 year-old Sunday School teacher and a Men’s Discipleship trainer, when we were called to this ministry.

MAJ Kevin D. Bouren – Christian Biography

Ever heard of Beaver Cleaver? That famous 50's TV show, “Leave it to Beaver”, was one of my favorites growing up because the Cleaver Family reminded me of the Bouren Family. I was a spitting image of “the Beave”—young, innocent, impressionable, goofy and curious. I grew up as a pastor's kid, the youngest of 3 boys, in a very loving, Christian home. My dad exemplified the spiritual leader of the home, and my mom was very compassionate and caring, always putting everyone else before herself, and modeling the Proverbs 31 woman. So you might imagine how logical and simple it was for me to take the step of faith at a young age and trust in God as my Heavenly Father and Christ as my Savior.

I was born in Phoenix , AZ , and then we moved to Nebraska and Illinois before returning to Phoenix in 5th grade where I lived until my graduation from Cactus High School in 1992. After graduating from the West Point Prep School in 1993, I went on to West Point where I was actively involved in Officers' Christian Fellowship (OCF), culminating in my role as the Assistant Chapter Cadet-in-Charge of OCF my Firstie (Senior) Year. I also enjoyed Air Assault School and the opportunity to be a Philmont Ranger in Cimarron , NM , for the Boy Scouts. By far, the biggest highlight of my cadet career was the moment I proposed to my girlfriend, Adra, on top of the Cadet Chapel overlooking West Point . To add some romance, I solicited the help of a quartet of my classmates to sing “For I Am Convinced” as we stood embracing the Bible I had just presented her (with the diamond ring conveniently placed inside at Romans 8:38-39).

I was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery in 1997. I made the second biggest decision of my life six days after graduation when I married Adra, almost 9 years to the day I met her. My military assignments at Fort Sill, OK, include service as a MLRS Firing Platoon Leader, Battery Operations Officer, Battalion Adjutant, and Battalion Intelligence Officer. I also served as youth pastor of our church and led a men's Bible study made up of fellow officers. I then served in Operation Joint Guardian as the Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations in Kosovo (KFOR5). I discipled the general's driver and personal security team during this deployment. Upon returning from Kosovo, I served as the Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General of Fort Sill and the Assistant Commandant of the Field Artillery School …and we soon welcomed our first miracle into the world, our daughter Kayla Anna. The Army then took us to Fort Riley , KS , where I served as the Assistant Brigade Fire Support Officer for the 3d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. I then had the tremendous blessing of commanding 214 warriors during a combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF1). I was also given the opportunity to serve as the Mayor of Al Mansur Neighborhood in Baghdad during my 12-month deployment where I was responsible for 40,000 Iraqi citizens. By the grace of God, I led my Iraqi interpreter (a Muslim) to Christ the week before I departed theater.

Upon returning from Iraq , God poured His blessing on me (again) and I was selected to attend graduate business school at the University of Texas before reporting to West Point in my current job. While in Austin , God blessed us with another miracle, our son Brady MacArthur. My wife and I worked in the Children's Ministry at our Austin church; we also helped lead a small group.

I am now the Executive Officer for the Director of Admissions at West Point . My wife and I lead an OCF small group of Yearlings here at the Academy. This year I am also serving as the Officer-in-Charge of OCF where I have influence over hundreds of cadets in our club. It is a tremendous blessing to know that I get to lead these cadets and help them understand how to integrate their faith into their profession as Officers in the United States Army. My vision is that they will graduate from West Point with the clear understanding that their faith is not part of their life, it is their life. I praise my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the fact that my life and career have been distinctively marked by the hand of God. I helped lead this group last year at RMH and I am pumped to do it again this year!!! Let's Dooooo It!!!!!

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RMH 3

Lt Col Steve Wade, OCF Field Staff, US Air Force Academy

Lt Col Wade entered the Air Force on 20 October 1981. He attended Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, TX where he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 29 January 1982. Lt Col Wade attended Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT) at Mather AFB, CA. He graduated number one in his class and won the Flying Excellence Trophy. Following UNT, Lt Col Wade entered KC 1-35 combat crew training where he was awarded honor graduate.

His first operational assignment took him, his wife Rita, and daughter, Brienne to K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI. He served as navigator, instructor navigator, and training flight navigator from March 1983 until December 1986. He was selected to fly the FB-111 and moved to Plattsburgh NY. Lt Col Wade served as radar navigator, instructor radar navigator, lead squadron navigator, and wing flight examiner during his four and a half year assignment at Plattsburgh.

Lt Col Wade left Plattsburgh in the fall of 1991 and was assigned to the United States Air Force Academy where he served three years as squadron commander and one year as deputy group commander in the 34th Training Group. Lt Col wade was selected to attend Air Command and Staff College in residence and moved his family to Montgomery, AL in the summer of 1995. Lt Col Wade’s follow-on assignment took him to Offutt AFB, NE and the United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM). While at STRATCOM, Lt Col Wade served a vital role in planning and producing the nation’s nuclear war plan.

Following his assignment at STRATCOM, Lt Col Wade was assigned to the 55th Operations Group, Offutt AFB, where he qualified in the RC-135. He served from July 1999 to July 2001 flying reconnaissance missions around the world as navigator, instructor navigator, and Chief of Standardization and Evaluation. As Chief, he was responsible for flying standardization and qualifications of over 1,300 aircrew members in seven flying squadrons at six worldwide locations.

Lt Col Wade’s final assignment took him and his family to Peterson Air Force Base, CO. He served in the 21st Operations Support Squadron as the Commander for Airfield Operations. Lt Col Wade retired from the Air Force on 1 February 2004 and is now directing the Officers’ Christian Fellowship ministry to cadets at the United States Air Force Academy.

Lt Col Wade has flown 23.5 combat hours and 152 combat support hours in various operations. He is a Master Navigator with 2,571 total flight hours.

Lt Col Wade married Rita Kerschenske in 1978 and has three children, Brienne, Rachel, and John.

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RMH 4

COL (U.S. Army, Retired) MIKE TESDAHL

OCF DIRECTOR OF FIELD MINISTRY & STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Colonel Tesdahl was commissioned in the Infantry from USMA in 1969. He has received a Master of Science degree in Systems Management from the University of Southern California. His military schools include the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, The College of Naval Command and Staff, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Colonel Tesdahl first served as S3-Air and Recon Platoon Leader, 1-509 IN (ABN/M) in Mainz , Germany . His more recent assignments include Battalion Commander, 1-29 IN at Ft. Benning, Georgia; Chief, Combat Maneuver Division, ODCSOPS, The Army Staff; TRADOC System Manager-Soldier, "The Conscience of the Army for the Soldier;" and Senior Army Advisor, State of Colorado. He holds both the Combat Infantryman's Badge and Expert Infantryman's Badge and is a qualified parachutist and Ranger.

Colonel Tesdahl left the Army in August 1997 and, with his wife, Peggy ("Mama T"), became the OCF Staff Representatives to The United States Military Academy at West Point. In January 2005 the Tesdahls moved to Colorado and Mike's current position in the Home Office. Mike has served the Lord in spiritual leadership to the Army community for 20 years, serving in volunteer OCF leadership at the military chapel, neighborhood and installation levels. He has been active in men's ministries, serving in Promise Keepers lay leadership at both military installation and regional community levels. He currently serves as the Men's Ministry Coordinator for Crossroads Community Church in Parker, Colorado. He is Chairman of the Board, Restoring The Soul, Inc., of Lakewood, Colorado, a ministry dedicated to caring for and equipping Christian leaders. Mike is an ordained Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a certified marriage/relationship counselor.

Mike has been a regular Rocky Mountain High instructor since 1999 and testifies that he owes his legendary strength, agility and stamina to massive doses of Butterfinger Freezes from K's Dairy Delite and espresso milkshakes from Bongo Billy's.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL BRUCE L. FISTER, OCF Executive Director

Lieutenant General Fister is Executive Director of Officers' Christian Fellowship of the USA . OCF is a ministry to the military through the officer corps. The organization's purpose is "to glorify God by uniting Christian officers for biblical fellowship and outreach, equipping and encouraging them to minister effectively in the military society." OCF has over 200 local fellowships on over 200 posts, bases, and ships around the world. The organization ministers to all of the military society through local fellowships, its two conference centers, its ministers at large, officer training bases and posts, and through ministries to service academy and ROTC cadets and midshipmen. This lay-led ministry emphasizes scripture, prayer, Christian fellowship, equipping to serve, faith and professional excellence, nurturing the family and support for the chaplaincy.

Lieutenant General Bruce L. Fister retired from the Air Force as Commander, 15th Air Force, Travis Air Force Base, California . In that assignment, he was responsible for approximately 50 percent of the Air Force's air mobility assets and mission.

The general entered the Air Force in 1964 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. During his 12 months in Southeast Asia as a C-123 pilot he flew 220 combat missions primarily in support of American and Vietnamese Special Forces units. The majority of his Air Force career was in Military Airlift Command or assignments in special operations. He was Deputy Commanding General for the Joint Special Operations Command and Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command. He has commanded a Squadron, a Wing, a Numbered Air Force, and a Major Air Command. He has 7,000 hours flying time in a variety of different aircraft.

In civilian life, General Fister has been a consultant for and president of Fister-Gregor, Incorporated, of Niceville , Florida . He was also co-founder and Executive Director of the Florida Aviation Aerospace Alliance. His office contacts as Executive Director to Officers' Christian Fellowship are: (303) 761-1984, fax (303) 761-6226, or email bruce@ocfusa.org.

General Fister and his wife Melissa have two sons, David and Todd, and two grandchildren, Ali and Nathan. General and Mrs. Fister were married in 1964. General Fister retired from the Air Force in October, 1996.

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RMH 5

MAJ Alex Boulter

Photo and Bio coming soon

MAJ Heath Wharton

I was born in Texarkana, Arkansas but grew up in the very small town of Cheyenne Oklahoma. I graduated from the USAF Academy in 1995, with Bachelor's degrees in Military History and snow skiing, and went to navigator training in Pensacola. After a year on the beach, I became a B-52 navigator and was stationed at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, where I met my beautiful wife Rachel. We were married in May of 2000, and have three beautiful kids--Wyatt, Hannah, and Elliot--and have another baby on the way.

My combat experience spans Operations DESERT FOX, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM, with most assignments flown out of Diego Garcia. I graduated from the USAF Weapons School in 2002, and became a weapons officer in an operational squadron. In 2004, I was assigned to a test and evaluation squadron, responsible for the integration of new weapon systems on the B-52H. In 2006-07, I spent a year at Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and gained an appreciation for the US Army's perspective. Subsequently, I was assigned to Air Combat Command at Langley AFB, Virginia, and work in the Weapons and Tactics flight.

Although I have never guided an RMH session, I have visited Spring Canyon on numerous occasions, attended a one week retreat, and have stayed here during the winter with friends (the Boulters!). I am quite familiar with the powerful experiences that Spring Canyon can offer when we all stop our lives for a week and turn our attention fully upon the Lord, His beautiful creation, and each other. I have found my time at Spring Canyon to be a bit of a paradox--it is both an opportunity to engage in the most exciting of adventures--pursuing those outdoor passions that you can only find in the clean, crisp air of the Colorado rockies--and yet, it is also an opportunity to 'be still' and listen intently to the Holy Spirit. I pray that God uses these summer sessions at RMH to produce a life-changing paradox for us all.

My greatest claims to fame are that I am a proud Husband, a father of four great kids, and along with my best friends Alex Boulter and Ray Simmons, am the co-creator of the one-and-only "Buck-Meat Pancake."

RMH 6

LtCol Joel Yourkowski, USMC, retired.

Born in Seattle, Washington, LtCol Yourkowski enlisted in the Navy after high school. While in the Navy he applied and was accepted into the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1983. Upon graduation, LtCol Yourkowski was commissioned as a 2ndLt in the United States Marine Corps. He was trained as a Naval Flight Officer and Electronic Countermeasures Officer and served in various capacities with Marine Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC and Medium Attack Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA. Then he attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA receiving a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering.

After graduation he was ordered to Headquarters Marine Corps for a tour with Program and Recourses where he had oversight on the Marine Corps Ground Ammunition Budget. After the Pentagon, LtCol Yourkowski accepted accompanied three-year orders to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, serving with Marine Air Group Twelve. He was then assigned to United States Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. After serving 18 months here, LtCol Yourkowski retired in 2004 and was accepted on Staff with The Navigators.

LtCol Yourkowski’s current tasks involve reaching out to and discipleing soldiers and families at Fort Carson.

LtCol Yourkowski has served in a variety of positions. Division Officer, Flight Instructor, Budget Analyst, Safety Officer, Administration Officer, Group Headquarters Commanding Officer and various collateral duties.

Currently and during his 22 years in the military, LtCol Yourkowski served in many Chapels and Churches, hosted or led numerous Small Group Bible Studies and is focused on outreach in the community. Although primarily involved with The Navigators, LtCol Yourkowski has been involved in several Officer Christian Fellowship activities including serving as an RMH instructor during the summer of 2003.

LtCol Yourkowski currently resides in Colorado Springs, is married to the former Miss Donna DeLuise, and has four children; Kelsey (15), Ashely (14), Mariah (13), and Dakota (9).

Major Felix R. Colonnieves, USAF, retired

Major Felix R. Colonnieves was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus and received a commission as an officer in the United States Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in June 1984.

He entered active duty and began helicopter pilot training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama in February 1985. During his military service, he has held several leadership positions to include Chief, Training Flight Instructor Pilot, Deployed Unit Director of Operations (OSW), Squadron Assistant Director of Operations, and, Chief, Combat Search and Rescue, Pacific Air Forces.

His career has taken him from Puerto Rico to Alabama, Idaho, Philippines, Maryland, Florida, Japan, and Hawaii as well as around the world in temporary duty assignments. He has flown missions conducting Search and Rescue, Special Operations, Distinguish Visitor Airlift, Air Refueling, Shipboard Operations, and Night Water Operations. He has been qualified in 5 different aircraft or aircraft variants ( HH-60G; C/HH-3E; UH-1N; UH-1H; TH-55) throughout his career and accrued 3000 flying hours.

Maj Colonnieves is married to Amor Calalang of Mabalacat, Philippines. The couple, three children (Karla, Natasha, Joshua) and mother-in-law (Mrs. Dalmacia) moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, joining the “Navigators” Christian Organization after his retirement from the Air Force.

Currently and during his 20 years in the military, Maj Colonnieves served in many Chapels and Churches, hosted or led numerous Small Group Bible Studies and is focused on outreach in the community. Although primarily involved with The Navigators, Maj Colonnieves has been involved in several Officer Christian Fellowship activities including leading OCF Bible studies for couples while stationed in Hawaii.

Maj Colonnieves’ current tasks include ministering to the soldiers at Fort Carson and developing a men’s wilderness ministry giving men an opportunity to leave behind the noise of life to spend time in solitude focusing on hearing God’s plan for their lives.

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