I joined the Walking with Purpose Catholic bible study shortly after a PCS to Cincinnati, Ohio where my husband would be teaching Air Force ROTC at the University of Cincinnati. This was my fourth PCS during our marriage, so it certainly wasn’t my first rodeo. However, I knew that trying to build community was going to look a little bit different this time around since we weren’t PCSing to a military base where I could easily meet other spouses. I couldn’t get plugged in with a spouses group in the squadron or visit the Airman and Family Readiness Center to join upcoming events. It felt like I really had to do this on my own this time around. What I specifically was praying for was to find a group that was similar to one I was involved in while we were stationed in Europe. While there, I was involved with the Catholic Women of the Chapel (CWOC) at NATO Air Base Brunssum. As a new mom at the time, I looked forward to connecting with other women with shared values like me. It felt like we were all growing together on our faith journey. I hoped to find something similar in Cincinnati.
Thankfully, I was able to find a Walking with Purpose (WWP) bible study that was starting up at our church, St. Gertrude. WWP was founded by Lisa Brenninkmeyer in 2008 and offers a variety of studies for adult and young adult women, as well as high school and middle school girls. It is active in 623 churches throughout the United States, Europe and Canada. I am proud to say that I am now in my third year of being involved with WWP, and my second year leading a small group. So I was thrilled to learn that WWP is now starting a virtual group specifically for the military community beginning the week of October 14.
Is WWP Right for You?
The virtual study will focus on the book Reclaiming Friendship and is open to women throughout the military community – active duty, retired, or spouse. According to WWP, the study is perfect if you’re:
- Feeling isolated or lonely in your military journey
- Seeking to heal from past friendship wounds
- Desiring an authentic community that understands military life
Both daytime and evening groups are available Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and sign-ups can be completed here. Each session will last for one hour over Zoom and meet for six weeks. Also, thanks to The Kate W. McDonald Memorial Military Scholarship—Hope in the Trenches scholarship, active-duty military and spouses are eligible to receive a free WWP study guide.
The Impact of WWP
My WWP group has given me a sense of community and made Cincinnati feel like home. It’s not a bible study where you’re pouring over your book and memorizing scripture. What it does well is making God’s Word applicable to your current life and inviting conversation between women on the challenges we all face and how we navigate them. It gives women from all walks of life an opportunity to love one another where they are at. The military community certainly deserves that blessing.
Meet April
April has been a proud Air Force spouse for 13 years. A native of Los Angeles, California, April has followed her husband’s career to Oklahoma City, Germany, and Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a regular contributor for Military Spouse magazine. In 2018, April was a recipient of the Air Force Association’s Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year award for her volunteer work serving the military community. When she’s not chauffeuring her seven-year-old son to school and activities, April can be found writing, reading, working out, or planning her next getaway.
