east to west Food for Thought & Prayer - June[“east to west” is one of the charities Runnymede Deanery has worked with for many years, providing support workers with a Christian background for some local schools and hospitals.]
Dan Beedell on Leadership Change Before we begin, I’d like to make a bit of an apology. This month, I’m going to use a footballing analogy! fans! You’re either going to give up the will to keep reading or graciously continue hoping that there is a point. Some of you will wonder why I didn’t simply start again or choose a more accessible or widely engaging metaphor… sadly (for you) I’m nothing if not stubborn!!
There are several undeniable truths in football. The team you support are the greatest, footballers are often overpaid, you really don’t like your biggest rivals and everyone gets really frustrated when players roll around on the ground because someone’s had the temerity to tackle them…or cause them to have a hair out of place! The other undeniable truth is that football managers leave football clubs. This happens for one of two main reasons. Firstly, the chairperson decides that due to results, precarious league position, style of play or myriad other reasons, the boss (manager) has to go. This is often followed by key members of their backroom staff (coaches, physios and analysts). A few days later, a new person is appointed with lots of fanfare and celebration, promising to change the fortunes of the club and bring glory to the fans. Throughout this turmoil a small group remain the same: the players. For some, there will be sadness at the departure of the former manager, who’d given them chances to play and grow their skills and talents. For others, there will be relief that they will be given another chance to impress and get fresh opportunities, because for whatever reason the departing manager didn’t rate them or want to include them in their plans. Still with me? The other reason a manager might leave, is that they have been offered an opportunity elsewhere. This is often at a bigger club, where there are different challenges and opportunities. This new club has recognised the skills and talents of the manager and decided that they’d be a good fit for them. Often these managers go with a mix of sadness (from fans and players alike) and excitement about what they could achieve. Phew! Got to the end of the metaphor… but what does it mean? At the end of this month, we’ll be saying goodbye to east to west’s manager! There will be no cheering and celebration that Ant has been sacked (he hasn’t!), he has done an amazing job over the past six years in terms of the way we work and operate (play). People have grown in skills and talents and all have been given opportunities. As a team we are sad that this is happening but excited for what Ant’s going to bring to his new (bigger) team at Urban Saints. However, we’re also fully trusting in God’s (Chairman) ongoing provision and that the person He’s called to lead east to west into the future will be perfect for us.
New CEO for east to west
We are delighted to announce that the role has been offered to, and accepted by, David Welch who will be joining east to west part-time in June (as he continues to work out his notice) and full-time in August. David joins east to west from Guildford Diocese where he’s spent 13 years advising churches on youth work. During the past 18 months David has been Head of the Mission Enabler Team. He has over 25 years of youth work experience, both in paid and volunteer capacity, and has spent the past decade as a youth leader within his church leading the 14-18s work alongside a small team. David is married to Pam and has two primary aged children, Josh and Ben. David says: “The opportunity to lead an organisation such as east to west doesn't come along very often and exploring the possibility seemed like a door that I had to push - to see if it was something that God might be calling me to do. The recruitment process and conversations with a few trusted mentors have led to me agreeing that this was what God wanted, and therefore I was delighted to accept the invitation to be the next Chief Executive. I am looking forward to joining the organisation at such a key time in its life and preparing for the next 25 years of ‘bringing hope’ to the children, young people and families we are called to serve.”
east to west Prayer Requests
Ant asks you to pray for east to west, giving thanks to God for … PHOTO CREDITS: east to west
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As you will have guessed by now, after six years of leading the charity, CEO Anthony Horton is moving on from east to west to take on the role of Chief Mission Officer at Urban Saints. Whilst we are sad to see Ant leave east to west, we are delighted that he has this opportunity and know he will do a brilliant job with a great organisation.