From the desk of John Helmberger, CEO of Minnesota Family Council & Institute:
The United States track and field teams have a long history of success at the Olympics and in other world competitions, but they have had one consistent Achilles’ heel over the past 18 years: the baton hand-off.
It seems like such a simple thing to pass a hollow aluminum tube from one person to another, but since 2005 the U.S. men’s 4x100-meter-relay team has either failed to finish or been disqualified from races due to bungled baton hand-offs eight times, including at the most recent Olympics.
The moral of the story? A good transition is harder than it looks.
At our 40th Anniversary Dinner on September 8th, we announced that MFC’s Church Ambassador Network Director Jeff Evans will succeed me as Chief Executive Officer of Minnesota Family Council and Minnesota Family Institute effective January 1st. I will continue to be an integral part of the organization in a part-time advisory role.
I am so excited about this new chapter for MFC, despite all the challenges ahead with our radicalized state government, not only because we have planned it carefully, but also because of who Jeff is and how he will lead this ministry into the future. This is truly God’s faithful answer to many years of prayer.
As Jeff takes on this leadership mantle, I am reminded of the words God gave Moses to commission his successor, Joshua, who would lead Israel across the Jordan to take possession of the land God has promised them:
Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. (Deuteronomy 31:7b-8)
While this was a particular call on the life of Joshua, the themes fit with where we are right now. God is calling Jeff to be strong and courageous as he takes the baton from me and carries forward with the race.
This race isn’t a sprint – it’s a marathon. We’re in it for the long haul, to fight for life, family, and religious freedom year after year, as long as they are challenged by those who choose darkness over light, selfishness over compassion and pride over humility.
Each new year feels like entering into a new land, held by those who have aligned themselves against the Lord’s commands. Each new legislative session is a challenge to take back ground that has been lost … and the Lord knows we lost a lot of ground earlier this year.
That’s why it’s so important for Jeff to be strong and courageous. But not just Jeff – all of us who want to shine a light for Christ in Minnesota. Each of us must be strong in our own communities, to have courage to speak for what is right and good.
As I hand over the reins, I want to remind both Jeff and you of who you are in Christ, of the promise of His presence, His protection, and His victory. So while the name on emails from us will soon change, what matters most never will. We have a firm foundation, a sacred calling to do this work, and a certain future.
We are also blessed to have an amazing team of co-laborers who will work alongside Jeff to carry on the fight for life, family and religious freedom into our next 40 years, and a broad network of friends and supporters who make it all possible.
I am so thankful for how generous you have been during my time as CEO, and with so much at stake, I ask now that you continue that generosity into Jeff’s tenure with a gift of $50, $100, $150, or even more as God leads. Will you encourage him right now, showing him that you will stand behind him just as you’ve done for me?
For Life, Family, and Religious Freedom,
John Helmberger
