It has been said the only two gurantees in life are death and taxes. I think most people would agree that if you were to add a third item to the list it would be change. With Doulos Ministries I have experienced many seasons of change. I said goodbye to my good friends in Denver, CO when the organization relocated to Kansas City over four years ago. I had to make a difficult choice to leave family and some of the best people I have known for a new adventure in Missouri. I watched the closure of our inner city ministry, the discipleship program, and the Branson campus. Many leaders, friends, co-laborers, and even my wife Jena sacrificed and served the ministry before ultimately experiencing the same guranteed fate of change when they, too, left the ministry by circumstance. After seven plus years with Doulos, my number has come up and my work with the organization is no more.
What happened over the past seven years? I spent three years in Denver. One year as a direct care staff working nights and weekends directly with the boys at Shelterwood. I spent the next two years in Denver as house director working alongside amazing peers and ministry leaders. I spent four years in Kansas City. Two as case manager and two more as house director (again). Although my heart and passion has grown to serve the big brothers and young adults of the ministry, the demanding role of house director ultimately spelled the end. It is a young mans job and one that is difficult to endure with a family. I was hopeful that I would be able to move into role more suited for my gifts and abilities but as I pointed out, it is naive to think that I am immune to the change experienced by so many of my beloved past ministry peers and leaders.
To all of my faithful ministry partners, I cannot thank you enough for your prayers and support of my work at Doulos. I will be able receive your gifts of financial support through the end of the year but my work on campus is finished effective immediately. I covet your prayers as I search for the next chapter of my life. Jena and I will remain right here in Kansas City. When you look at the life of the disciples, you will find that most of them, in the absence of Jesus, returned to what they knew before. I do not feel that my life in ministry is a closed chapter but for now I will return to what I knew before: administration, accounting and finance. If you know of a ministry or finance lead, I would certainly appreciate it. Please know that you have made a difference. Parents, teens, big brothers and staff have been affected by your faithful support of my work at Doulos. Thank you, dearly.
Blessings,
Brian Albright
