Embracing Change

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

As we navigate through the evolving landscape of Ambassadors of Reconciliation, we find ourselves at a juncture of farewells and fresh beginnings. Today, we announce the departure of several esteemed colleagues who have significantly contributed to AoR's mission and success, and the arrival of new talent to continue their legacy.

First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Annette Friesen, Case Administrator, whose unwavering dedication has most recently been a cornerstone of our ICC operations. Annette's meticulous attention to detail and compassionate approach have touched many lives. Annette announced her retirement more than a year ago and we celebrated her years of service on May 30th, awarding to her a Lifetime Peacemaker Award. Her departure marks the end of an era, and we wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.

Next, we bid farewell to Maddy, our Administrative Assistant. Maddy's efficiency and warm personality have been vital in maintaining the smooth functioning of our team. Her contributions have helped us grow and thrive, and while we are sad to see her go, we are excited for her next chapter. She'll have more opportunity now to interact with people in person, rather than virtually.

Kerri Goss, our Reconciler Community Coordinator, has been an invaluable asset in fostering a sense of unity and purpose among our staff as well as all of you, our network of reconcilers. Her tireless efforts in community building have left an indelible mark. Kerri is looking forward to having more time with her family. As she moves forward, we carry with us the connections she has forged.

Finally, we announce the departure of John Long, Director of Training. John's commitment to serving our reconcilers and his ability to inspire others have been a tremendous asset to our training programs. We wish him all the best. John will maintain connection with us as a Certified Christian Conciliator as well as a Certification Advisor, so he isn't going that far!

With these departures, we are fortunate to welcome Tom Ebel, who will fill the roles of Case Administrator and Certification Program Manager. Tom's passion for ministry and the Gospel promise will seamlessly continue the work initiated by Annette and Kerri. His fresh perspective and enthusiasm will undoubtedly usher in a new era of growth and innovation for our team.

We are praying that God will guide the rebuilding of this team. As we embrace these changes, we invite everyone to join us in prayer and reflection. This transition period offers us a unique opportunity to seek and understand "what is God up to?" We are confident in the plans He has for us. I admit that we’re sad to say goodbye to these friends, but just as I reflected in my previous blog post, I look forward with joy and hope in what God has in store for all of us (see: Ambassadors Exhibit Joy and Hope). God has already blessed us to be in a very healthy financial position and we're nearing the opportunity to make several significant announcements (stay tuned!). We believe that every change brings new possibilities and growth, and we are excited to see how these transitions will shape our path forward.

Thank you for your continuous support and belief in our mission. Together, we will navigate this new chapter with faith and optimism, embracing the journey ahead and trusting the Lord's leading.