2025 Year in Review

Since our current East-West leadership structure was put in place in Europe, roughly five years ago, I have served as the Associate Regional Director for Eastern Europe. I’ve never really unpacked for our partners what my role involves since we relocated back to Texas. Security concerns have kept us from disclosing many details, yet much of what I do doesn’t fit in that category of concern, and for the sake of people who are so generously and sacrificially making all of this possible I think it’s only reasonable I fill in what I can.

You don’t always see photos of the work we do, and that is to an extent due to these security concerns, not so much for me as the people I lead/serve in the field. But, another reason is that the nature of much of my work is just not that photogenic, yet it’s essential to ensuring that our frontline teams can thrive.

Your support is critical to fueling this strategic, behind-the-scenes work that makes the more visible ministry of our field teams possible. So, before that fact gets lost in the weeds, let me make sure you know that at the outset. Thank you!

🌎 The Unseen Impact: Strategic Ministry Support

My core responsibility in the Balkans—specifically leading our team members in Albania—is to ensure their ministry is strategic, aligned with our overall mission objectives, effective, sustainable, and resourced. This year, your partnership has allowed me to:

• Work side-by-side with our field teams to develop their yearly ministry strategy and long-term vision.

• Navigate the complex processes of approving their strategic plan, budgets, and helping with raising the funding when necessary.

• Walk with team members throughout the year, providing dedicated coaching, encouragement, and prayer support, helping them navigate challenges, and work with them to foster healthy interpersonal relationships.

Additionally, I continue to serve as a voice for our Eastern Europe region within the broader mission leadership, meeting with Directors of other regions and Executive Field Leadership to sharpen our organizational strategies and ensure we are proactive in planning for missional trends and strategic growth.

🌎 2025 in Action: Strengthening the Eastern Europe Team

While much of the work is strategic, a critical part, as you can see from the points above, is staying connected to the hearts of our people on the ground. And, this as well as the other more strategic facets referenced above are best done face-to-face whenever possible. This year, my travel was focused on strengthening our regional team, developing and mapping our strategic initiatives and budgets, leadership training, and laying the groundwork for several major new projects for 2026.

• Albania: I made two key trips to Albania to engage directly with the team, offering personal encouragement and support for specific projects that required hands-on leadership.

• Eastern Europe Team Summit: I traveled with Ann to Moldova where we gathered our extended Eastern Europe team for a week of vital learning, team-building, and planning for future cross-border collaboration across the region.