| Operation R.O.S.E. |
| Reach Out, Support & Encourage A ministry dedicated to the military wife. |
Operation R.O.S.E. began in 2006 as a small group in my home on Camp Pendelton MCB, California. This idea was sparked by the desire in my heart to meet other Christian women in my new military community. If it simply meant hosting neighbor-ladies and chatting over a cup of coffee... I was excited at the thought! My desire was to create a safe atmosphere to intentionally build relationships in person; while avoiding gossip, "pulling-rank", creating a clique, or forming a club. I simply wanted to spend personal, quality time, in person with other military wives who craved this same environment. I don't like homework, so that was out of the question. But I appreciate accountability and I love prayer; I especially enjoy women who will join me in doing these things together. I wanted to feel that spiritual connection with other women like me; specifically military wives. I longed to hear from them too. We learned to trust & nurture each other and the word about our small group began to spread. The women who attended that first group with me were equally eager to connect in a safe, nurturing Christian environment. We rapidly outgrew my living room and by fall of 2006, we were meeting in a local community center. It was at that time I met my future ministry partner (and now best friend) Kristen, and in February 2007 we officially became 'Operation R.O.S.E.'. The women in this group instantly became like sisters. We hosted parties, baby showers, girls nights and were anxious each week to meet together for fellowship & prayer. We were all going through similar seasons & challenges in our extraordinary lives, and it was refreshing to connect with my new military "sisters" to share an understanding of this unique lifestyle that nobody outside of the military really could grasp. Some of these women are still ministering beside me today and a few of them are part of our incredible Ministry Team. I am a military wife and I know firsthand the feeling of loneliness, fear & pain that can accompany military life; moving frequently, constantly starting over and the expectations of many who think we're "so strong". We're not always strong enough, and it tends to be those military wives who may be vulnerable enough to stray down the wrong path and make poor choices. The challenges that come with military life are inevitable. It is vital that military wives, single military mothers, mom's of military, sisters, ect... stay connect in person for the support necessary to persevere. We are constantly learning to do things on our own and literally starting over again & again in strange & sometimes foreign communities. The desire to connect lies deep within the military wife. The need for personal connection is great!! ...and there IS hope! Won't you please...prayerfully consider how you can help us with this outreach?? Over the last 6 years, Operation R.O.S.E. has grown into a wonderful ministry - still dedicated to Reach Out, Support & Encourage military wives around the world. Our mission is to do everything we can to provide the "missing link" between the church & military base/military families all over the world. Operation ROSE has connected with many influential people who have a larger platform to reach people around the world. We have been incredibly blessed by some of these people with materials and learning tools to help us grow spiritually. One of these supporters include Dr Gary & Barb Rosberg of America's Family Coaches; who are helping us to raise awareness of the need to reach military wives with Christ's love and instructions on how to be a better spouse, mother & witness for His Kingdom. We are doing our best to reach our military sisters in-person, with Christ's love and help her get connected at her new duty station; her new home...and yet again when she moves. If you are currently leading a small group and would be willing to "Partner" with Operation R.O.S.E., we want to hear from you! We would love to provide you with resources to reach out to the military in your community! We'd also like to include your ministry and or church on our website. If you do not currently serve or participate in a small group or military outreach, I would like to encourage you to consider starting an Operation R.O.S.E. "Connect Group" in your area. The need is great; to bless these women in person & express God's love & appreciation for all they do. Thank you for visiting our website & we hope that you will prayerfully consider supporting us in some way. We are also set up to receive monetary donations; these offerings go towards outreach efforts and supplying our ministry team & Connect Groups with necessary materials. Please keep checking back, as God is constantly preparing us for new seasons in ministry. Operation R.O.S.E. is a non-profit organization dedicated to reaching out to our military sisters... may all who are reached through this ministry be blessed! Your Sister In Christ, Emily Smith Founder & Director of Operation R.O.S.E. |
Operation R.O.S.E. began in 2006 and is a non-profit organization. All proceeds go towards equipping our team, connect groups & leaders with resources & ministry tools useful to reach out & support military wives and their families. Www.operationrose.com was established by Emily Smith & Kristen Springer in January 2007. Our ministry’s leadership-team consists of a group of amazing Christian women and supportive pastors around the US with a passion to share Christ's love by Reaching Out, Supporting & Encouraging our military sisters and the women who stand behind our servicemen and "keep the home fires burning". |
| United States Military Population: (The following statistics are from 2010 and include US Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Reserves & National Guard) Alabama = 66,199 (Active Duty = 11,272) California = 212,800 (Active Duty = 109,697) Illinois = 76,937 (Active Duty = 35,674) Louisiana = 46,516 (Active duty = 15,246) Maryland = 57,235 (Active Duty = 29,859) Mississippi = 33,730 (Active Duty = 12,069) Missouri = 51,510 (Active Duty = 17,184) New Jersey = 32,753 (Active Duty = 7,116) North Carolina = 125,333 (Active Duty = 87,445) Oregon = 17,411 *Active Duty = 933 Texas = 194,965 *Active Duty = 108,835 Virginia = 123,686 *Active Duty = 80,132 Washington State = 65,615 *Active Duty = 32,398 |
| About Us... |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 |
| Operation R.O.S.E. Director, Emily Smith & her Marine Corps hubby at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball. Emily & Rob have been married 13 years and recently celebrated Rob's retirement after 20 years of service in the 'Corps. Emily currently lives in Slidell, Louisiana with her husband and their 3 children; Maleah, Kalin & Hailey. See more photos here. |
| Our website is currently undergoing MAJOR reconstruction!! Please keep checking back for our reveal - coming sometime this winter!!! |