Shelterwood 2012

The last six months at Doulos Ministries and Shelterwood has been interesting, to say the least. There were many unexpected twists and turns and as I sit here at the kitchen table contemplating this latest blog, it seems like a "State of Shelterwood" is in order. I have mentioned most of this in past blogs as it unfolded, but in the spirit of new year's, here is a review...

During the summer months, three of the five Shelterwood senior directors departed the ministry including the Shelterwood Director, the President and CEO and the Discipleship Director. A new Shelterwood Director was hired in August, only to leave a month later in September. During the short tenure of the Shelterwood director, it was decided to replace the Discipleship director position with a new role of Resident Director. The RD oversees residential life, the facilities and the cafeteria. I report to the Resident Director and I am happy to report that they are still with Doulos. Still with me?

In October, the board of directors hired a new president and CEO, Jim Subers. Over the Christmas holiday, Jim moved his wife and two teenage boys to Kansas City from Texas. Jim is a gifted leader and brings much needed vision and enthusiasm to Shelterwood.

In December, Jim hired a new Shelterwood Director. Rujon Morrison. Rujon and her husband Steve have operated Healing For the Nations for the past several years. Steve will office on the Doulos campus and continue to run HFN. Rujon is a dynamic leader and brings significant resources to our ministry. We will be utilizing the Healing For the Nations model with our Shelterwood big brothers and sisters as well as with some of our students. In addition, Rujon is connected with the cutting edge Brain Balance Center and it will be offered to select families. In short, the Brain Balance Center focuses on restoring the rhythm of the brain by stimulating the weaker hemisphere. The center is located in Overland Park.

As mentioned in earlier blogs, our new big brothers and sisters have arrived and are settling in. Training and orientation is moving along with the new class of bigs. This coming week we have a handful of new residents arriving. By weeks end, we will be at 50 students.

So what does all of this mean for me? Well, my current job title is House Director. The boys lodge is run by two Hall Directors who function similar to the old "house director" in Denver and Branson. The Hall Directors report to me. As mentioned above, I report directly to the Resident Director and my role involves leading the house staff including big brothers, hall directors and direct care staff. I recently attended a 3 day Healing For the Nations workshop and I will be learning and using the techniques in discipleship with my staff. So, in some ways, my role is similar to what is was before all of this crazy change. The most significant difference will be in discipleship. If you recall, the Discipleship Director position was replaced with the Resident Director leaving a void in the area of discipleship.

If you have been able to grasp all of this, then congrats!! I confused myself in the process of writing it all down. It is good to know that Doulos Ministries and Shelterwood is moving forward. The change has been difficult for many of us but has definitely created strength. As Jim Subers said recently, "God has smiled on Shelterwood."