The power of one changed life...

ORW Founder Paul Lavelle encountered the Healer, and was given a mission of healing.

On the outside, he was the picture of success. 

Paul Lavelle, CMSgt, USAF (Ret), MSC served for 26 years on active duty in the United States Air Force Medical/Dental Service, in major commands and senior leadership positions. His career culminated in leading the 10th Medical Group at the United States Air Force Academy, where he retired in 2001 - having achieved the rank of E-9, the most senior level a career enlisted service member could attain.

But there was more going on under the surface. Fueling the drive that brought career success was an abusive childhood and many painful heart wounds. Additionally, he was a passionate atheist, and enjoyed pointing out the folly of people of faith.

Then, Jesus interrupted him. Dropping off a couple of friends at a Wild at Heart conference, Paul got snowed in, trapped at this Christian men's event.  He had a supernatural encounter on the side of a mountain and as a result, invited Jesus into his life. About a year later, Paul began a four year learning experience working with bestselling author John Eldredge and the Wild at Heart ministry team as a member of their team. During that amazing time, he developed a deep desire to see healing and freedom come to his fellow military veterans.

In 2008, Paul founded ORW with fellow military veterans representing each of the services.  For nearly two decades, he worked to heal and restore our nation’s warriors struggling with the ongoing suicide epidemic. National and international leaders from politics, business, education, professional football, entertainment, and ministry have also attended the ORW Drop Zone programs and received restoration.  And after watching Jesus bring miraculous healing to thousands, one at a time, he made the decision to open up the healing of the Drop Zone to absolutely everyone..

Paul retired in January of 2025, and can look back on a legacy of thousands upon thousands of changed lives, changed families, and changed eternal destinies - because of his faithfulness to the call he received. The famous preacher DL Moody once said, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully surrendered to him. By God's help I aim to be that man." With Jesus' help, Paul was one such man.