From Outreach Canada Leadership
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A personal reflection from Rick Burdett, Outreach Canada's Chief Operations Officer and a member of the LeaderSHIFT team.
Standing at the head of the trail that will wend through 2024, we at Outreach Canada can see clearly where we are right now, and perhaps even a step or two ahead.
But although we think we know where we’re going, very quickly the actual path disappears into the future - potentially full of twists and turns, unknowns that are unseen from where we stand, and opportunities and challenges alike, just around the corner.
None of us can know what the year ahead will bring, so would you join us in praying for Outreach Canada as we start the year?
Here are 5 trail markers to guide your prayers for us...
This is the last Director's Blog from Executive Director Craig Kraft, before he transitions to his new role as Director for Global Collaboration with the OC Global Alliance.
(Have no fear, in this season of transition, we will continue to publish Director's blogs in the New Year, written from our OC LeaderSHIFT team!)
"This month I will finish my fifteenth year as Executive Director of Outreach Canada and next month I launch fully into my new role as Director for Global Collaboration for the OC Global Alliance.
As I look back over the past fifteen years I have so many great memories. I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing people and to be a part of some great ministries and projects. I am very thankful. But when I remember all the way back to the beginning, when I returned from South Africa to take on the role of Executive Director, I remember feelings of fear and intimidation. At that time, I was the youngest guy on the team and I had never led an organization like Outreach Canada; everything was so new to me and I wondered why God had called me to this new challenge..."
In the November 2023 issue of our OC Director's blog, Rick shares items of thanksgiving and an update from the LeaderSHIFT team as the search for a new Executive Director continues to unfold.
Ray Woodard, Outreach Canada's Board Chairman, reflects on this season of thanksgiving in regards to OC's current season of transition as we move towards the future.
"This season of thanksgiving holds special significance for me as I reflect on God’s work within Outreach Canada ... I have seen the creativity and dedication of our missionaries, who are continuing the work based on their calling from our heavenly Father. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to experience the joy, creativity, and support of our leaders, from across Canada, as we met together and planned during our annual retreat. I continue to see this as we meet monthly to pray for His guidance."
Since the beginning of the year, we have been working through a leadership transition at Outreach Canada. After fifteen years as Executive Director, Craig Kraft has moved to a new role as the Director for Global Collaboration for our OC Global Alliance. Over the past fifteen years we have grown significantly from about twenty staff and volunteers in 2008 to over one hundred and forty in 2022. Our Board has elected to take an intentional transition time before hiring a new Executive Director. This will provide time for assessment, evaluation, adjustment, and alignment before a new Director is appointed. We have formed a LeaderSHIFT team to lead us through this time of transition...