A3’s mission statement is to "identify, develop and release leaders." We consider those three verbs to be core competencies. They are at the heart of what God has called us to do. Each of them is a challenge unto itself. But it is the final one that can be the most emotionally challenging. . .
We've all experienced the emotions of releasing someone we love. I remember the first day my son went to kindergarten. My wife and I cried as we walked back from dropping him off. We had released him for the first time to someone else's care. It was difficult. But we knew it was the right thing for him. Now he is going to be a senior in high school. We are one year away from releasing him again.
Today as A3 released our president, Doug Birdsall, to devote 100% of his organizational leadership to Lausanne, I think many of us find this releasing thing difficult. It is so much easier to keep people within than to send them out. As Doug shared with all of us his decision to leave A3, I felt a deep sadness mixed with a deeper joy. Sad that we would lose such a gifted and talented leader--a true friend, but joyful that he is released to a new role in the kingdom which will have a wide ranging effect on world evangelization.
So I find myself reflecting on the last 24 years that I have ministered together with Doug in A3. He picked me up at the airport the first day I traveled to Japan to launch a whole new era of my life. He believed in me enough to ask me to serve next to him when he became president back in June of 1991. I've shed some tears today. But releasing is what we are all about; releasing leaders to unite the church, multiply the church, and transform the world through the power of the gospel. Praise God that he allows us the privilege, even when it is hard to do.
More Info:
- Elliott Snuggs serves as Vice President for Operations at A3.
- You can read Elliott's staff profile for more information.
