Grateful, humble, inspired

A new year's note from our president

Grateful, humbled, inspired. Such words flood my heart as I think of how the Lord has used your teamwork with Entrust to multiply leaders and churches over the years. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of Entrust workers and those they so diligently serve!

These emotions convey how I feel about the merger of Entrust and One Challenge. Words fail to express how amazing it is to watch the Lord draw both organizations together to collectively advance the Great Commission. We love our teammates from Entrust! Together, the Lord is taking us deeper in friendship, higher in peer learning, swifter in stewardship and stronger in shared ministry impact.

Integration is happening at all levels with leaders from Entrust now serving on OC’s Board, Executive Leadership Team, Global Leadership Team and Europe Area. Global workers are praying, working and dreaming together in ways not possible before. The merger is mutually beneficial. It certainly is a profound blessing to OC and the fulfilment of a dream for me personally.

As we enter 2026, I want you to know that you are crucial to this expanded team effort. Your prayers and support create momentum for the workers you support and the ministry initiatives you advance. We are excited to move together with you into the future.

Having served with OC in Southern Africa for two decades, my wife Kathie and I understand what it’s like to settle in another country, learn new cultures and serve alongside indigenous leaders. Facing daily challenges on the field, our family and ministry team thrived because of friends back home like you. After returning to the States, we’ve continued to serve as fully support-raised leaders. As your workers know, friends who “hold the rope” make all the difference.

In the coming months, I look forward to seeing the Lord pour his grace through you to multiply disciples who invest in others, mobilize church planters who shine light in dark places, train pastors unable to attend seminary, and assist churches to transform their communities ... in scores of nations. I’d love to connect with you personally. Feel free to reach out anytime: deancarlson@oci.org.

Thank you for your teamwork!

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MEET THE CARLSONS

Dean and Kathie Carlson were college sweethearts who married in 1983 and devoted their first five years to seminary and pastoral ministry in the States.   Joining One Challenge at age 27, they raised their family in eSwatini (seven years) and South Africa (13 years) - while Dean served as field director of the Southern Africa Regional Team and later as Africa Area Director. They attended church among the urban poor in Soweto while working with indigenous leaders to build nationwide partnerships multiplying healthy churches and new leaders targeting least-reached areas. 

The Carlsons returned to the States in 2008 for Dean to serve as vice-president of Global Ministries and currently as president of OC.

Dean is a catalyst and connector who thrives in Great Commission collaboration - from city to global levels. Kathie ministers to women across OC and provides spiritual mentoring to groups and individuals. Their kids – Rob, Kelsie and Todd – are married (with eight grandkids) and seek to serve Jesus through their vocations and churches. All live in Colorado Springs, gather often and enjoy shared adventures in the Rocky Mountains.