|
Dear Friends,
With great sadness I announce my departure from Living Water Ministries (LWM). On August 20th I will step down as Executive Director of Living Water Ministries (LWM) and begin in my new role as the Executive Director of the Cadillac Area YMCA. I make this decision to better provide for the needs and desired opportunities of my family.
From our first arrival to Michi-Lu-Ca Maggie and I felt well loved and supported by the entire ELCA and LWM community. Your support and personal relationships have been a real blessing and a meaningful part of our lives. We’ve greatly enjoyed watching the exciting renewal of our camps into a thriving ministry that will be recognized with its first ACA Accreditation this fall. We leave knowing that because of the LWM Board Leadership, the support from our Synods, Congregations, staff, guests, and donors, and the 8+ years of reinvestment into our facilities that LWM is well poised to continue its journey without us. Personally, I find it much easier to leave knowing that our ministry is on such solid footing.
To further support our camps through the transition, I have agreed to continue as a part time LWM Interim Director until December 31, 2010. This time will allow operations to continue smoothly while the LWM board strategically considers its next steps in the search for its future leader(s). As is prone to happen when strategically planning future directions, we realize that the LWM Board may find a faster path forward that will not require my services for that entire duration. We are open and flexible to the needs of the board for our services and are prepared to depart at the appropriate time. Maggie and I join you in offering our prayers and fullest support for them as they plan the path forward.
In the weeks and months ahead Maggie and I will not have the opportunity to say goodbye to all of you personally as we would like. In the event that we are unable to connect with you before we depart, please know that we will greatly miss you and the LWM family. While we are excited for the path God has provided, we will grieve our separation. We will also continue to hold all of you in our hearts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Dan and Maggie Smith
The Living Water Ministries Board has put a plan in place to make sure that there will be quality leadership in the days and weeks ahead. We give thanks for the fine work that Dan Smith has provided for us over these past 9 years. Living Water Ministries has benefited in so many ways from Dan’s leadership, gifts, and personality. As a search for a new director is begun, the board will look for a person with the same level of dedication, leadership, and skill that Dan brought to us. Our Lutheran Outdoor Ministry program in Michigan has flourished under Dan’s leadership. We have rebuilt, expanded, and strengthened our commitment to our vision:
Through inspired, extraordinary experiences of Christian Community, every person who participates in this ministry departs to serve as Jesus served.
Sincerely,
Pastor David E. Sprang
President-Living Water Ministries
Bishop John Schleicher
johnschleicher@mittensynod.org
Asst. to the Bishop Jack Eggleston
revjegg@aol.com
Rev. Lauren Miller
pastorlauren@hope-lutheran-church.com
Rev. David E. Sprang
pastor@ctkinggladwin.com
Dan Smith
director@elcalivingwater.com
|
