14 Years to Transformation

It has been 14 years since I became the Executive Director of CSM. I look back to the first year and see how God was preparing me for the journey of a lifetime. In 2011, tornadoes destroyed much of Alabama, sending us down a ministry path for the next three years, as we served our state in 42 counties and mobilized over 132,000 volunteers. We then transitioned to a season of rebuilding our communities and learning to serve the churches in our city. In 2018, we began to build lasting relational partnerships to impact the lives of our city. We transitioned from a transactional ministry to a transformational one, where we see churches develop their communities, letting us walk in the vision of our pastors.

Then, in March 2020, the pandemic helped put us on a profoundly transformative path as an organization. The partnerships have grown deeper, and the relationships have guided our ministry, giving us new direction. These seasons have increased our impact in the city and catalyzed this ministry’s maturity. The year of Covid felt like we were being propelled out of a slingshot. We saw how God used us to advance the Kingdom, watching lives transform before our eyes. This past year has been the most challenging and maturing time for CSM, but we are confident that we are right where God wants us to be. God has given us a fresh taste of Hope!

Our Board at CSM has challenged me to cast a vision for the next CSM ministry season. I have been excited and inspired by them and the staff, as I consider God’s hand of mercy in this season of our ministry. We are praying for spiritual transformation for the next generation. As I pray, work towards, and discern CSM’s future, the Spirit reminds me of the words in Genesis that call to be fruitful and multiply. I feel that my first six years at CSM were me being fruitful, and now, in my last six years in leadership, I am focused on multiplying and filling Birmingham with the Good News of Jesus. I know that the Lord has called CSM to walk with churches, seeing lives changed through the Gospel ministry that happens when the Body helps develop people in all areas of their lives.

Our strategy for achieving this is simple: We will set the Word of God as our guide and walk according to it, supporting the local church as a primary means by which God transforms lives. We aim to work towards seeing churches walk in unity of purpose, helping to alleviate all kinds of poverty by restoring broken relationships. We will be grounded by the principles of the Word, guided by a framework of righteousness and justice, and governed by the oneness of God’s Church. Thank you for being a part of God’s maturing of us for the ministry of reconciliation that He has called us to fill the earth with today. The best is ahead of us, with God’s hand of guidance.