Leaving OMF
Dear Friend
I wanted to share with you that I have notified OMF leadership that I am planning to leave OMF by the end of 2023. Depending on how the handover/transition goes, it may be sooner rather than later. There are a number of reasons for this:
- Though I’ve enjoyed many aspects of the International Facilitator for TCK Services (IFTS) role, I have struggled with working on my own. I am an “in person” person and working on my own is draining to me.
- It has been a good 26 years with OMF, but I feel God is moving me on. Now that Scott has taken a pastorate in North Carolina Community Church of Monroe (cefcmonroe.org), I am looking forward to working alongside him in ministry again as we did during our 15 years on the mission field and 7 years serving the church in Louviers. I need time and capacity to do this.
- As the grandmother of 5 now (!), I enjoy being available to help with looking after grandbabies, helping my kids when needed (like a recent house move for 3rd son) or just spending time together, especially as they all live rather far away (Dallas area, Guam, Dubuque, IA and 3 hours away in NC).
- My parents and Scott’s dad are getting up in years and I want to be able to spend time with them and help if needed.
- My own energy is declining. Having been through burnout earlier this year, I am still finding myself in recovery with more fatigue and shakiness than I’ve ever experienced. I’m also experiencing some change of life symptoms and need to do more self-care.
- Thus, I think it is time to step away from OMF and focus on
being a pastor’s wife, mom, grandmother,
daughter
So, please pray for me to finish well and that my international TCK Care team (Megan, Victoria, David, Rochelle and Kimberly) will feel supported and able to continue their good work in order to help OMF families thrive. Also, please pray that God will provide a replacement leader for this team. My supervisor suggested someone and will be approaching her soon to see if she is interested. If it is God's will, I think she would be a great fit to be the future IFTS. It would be wonderful to have some time for handover, and to see if our visions align. I imagine she will have some of her own ideas and ways of doing things. Will have to wait and see if the projects I have begun will be completed.
I will continue to send our prayer letters as I wind down my OMF service. When I finish my work with OMF, I'll let y'all know and decide at that point whether I might continue to send out occasional updates and requests for prayer. Please feel free to "unsubscribe" from my prayer updates at any time or to let me know if you'd like to stop receiving them (and then I will remove you from the email mailing list). I have so appreciated your support and prayers - some of you for more than 26 years - amazing that you have journeyed with us/me for this time - thank you for your partnership. Only in Heaven will we know all that has accomplished and contributed!!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Partner through Financial Support and Prayer Updates back to 2017