February 2, 2011
To the Congregation at Harbour:
Two weeks ago, the elders received from Debra Hoffos, our Walk Deeply/Children’s Ministry Director, the news that she felt God’s leading into a new ministry opportunity. Here is a portion of what she wrote:
I am writing to you today to officially tender my resignation from Harbour Fellowship Church effective Sunday, March 13, 2011.
It is with mixed emotions that I leave the Harbour team. These past five plus years have been tremendously rewarding for me personally. Thank you for the privilege of ministry you have allowed me to have with children and adults. Thank you for the confidence you’ve placed in me and for providing me opportunity to lend my voice to some decisions of leadership and direction for the Harbour community.
I have seen God most evident in my small group ministry and in other relationships where I have had the chance to coach and mentor others in a one-on-one setting. I now sense that God is calling me to use this gift more fully. It seems as though God is bringing me back to Youth for Christ. I have been meeting with Youth Unlimited GTA about a role where I would be serving on the leadership team, assisting in the provision of care and supervision to the staff of 50. This is a faith missionary position and I will need to raise my support.
… my prayer and hope (for Harbour) is that God will richly prosper and direct your ministry here in St. Catharines and around the world. I treasure your prayers for me too as I follow God’s leading and calling.
I will be happy to do all that I can to make this transition as smooth as possible. Thank you again for your support over the years. May God be praised in all things.
It was with mixed emotions that we have accepted this resignation. We as Elders have so appreciated Debra’s gifts and talents and especially her heart for the children and people here at Harbour. Debra was very involved in putting together our Harbour 25 vision and has strongly championed the Walk Deeply component. Her legacy in this area, as well as with our Children’s Ministry will last long after her time on staff has concluded.
We are sad to see Debra’s time as Harbour staff come to an end because of all she continues to do, but we rejoice with her in her God directed decision to take what she has learned during her time here and apply it a new environment. She has asked for prayers and support and I know that we as her Harbour family will gladly do this for her. We would ask each of you to warmly embrace her decision and encourage her and Tracy. We are happy to tell you that Debra and Tracy will continue to attend Harbour.
We as Elders had already scheduled a Saturday Vision Retreat to discuss the state and future of Harbour. This will occur on Saturday February 5th. Please keep us in your prayers as we meet together. It is our plan and desire to have recommendations on next steps available for you on Sunday February 13th and to discuss this transition and the recommendations at our business meeting after the service on Sunday February 20th.
As we move forward as a church family we recognize the opportunity to witness and be part of ‘Only God’ moments as He builds his church. We would ask that you join us in prayer and anticipation for what God has in store for us over this next season of ministry.
Submitted on behalf of the elders
Phil Sheldon
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