STAFFING UPDATES

Stafford Greer, Bearspaw Lead Site Pastor

Hello RockPointe Family,

As we move into the fall it is important to clarify a few staff roles and provide a few updates. Let’s talk about roles first!

RON GRAY

Ron rejoined the staff on August 15 after a well-earned sabbatical. Together, we took a few weeks to discern with Ron what God is doing in his life, where he feels called, and also to carefully examine areas of need at RockPointe. After prayer and discernment, it was clear that there was a very exciting alignment leading to the following role, which Ron Gray will immediately begin fulfilling.

Ron’s new title is Associate Pastor of Compassion & Development. The areas under his leadership are Compassion Ministry, RockPointe GO Team & Missions, oversight of New Ventures, and Pastoral Staff Development & Coaching (specifically, the development of younger or more inexperienced pastoral staff).

Additionally, Ron will be joining the Bowridge staff team to help bring strength to the Bowridge congregation alongside Cherylyn Radford, Jeff Watt, and Desirae Kenney. Ron will be spending roughly 50% of his time at Bowridge Services.

We are excited to see Ron step into this area! Please congratulate him on this new ministry focus when you see him.

CHERYLYN RADFORD

As of July 2, 2024, Pastor Jon Lim has been on Long Term Disability (LTD). As soon as this shift became clear, work began on a plan for Bowridge to ensure ongoing pastoral oversight and leadership. Due to the nature of Long COVID, with which Jon Lim has been diagnosed (some who suffer from this wake up completely healed one day, while others are debilitated for years), it became clear that Cherylyn Radford was an obvious choice to serve Bowridge in the role of Interim Bowridge Site Pastor. As of September 15, 2024, Cherylyn Radford has accepted and assumed this role.

Cherylyn has essentially been operating in this capacity already, for which we thank her, and brings leadership gifting, stability, and deep Bowridge roots with her. Cherylyn has shown an aptitude for leadership, a teachable and humble spirit, and a desire to learn. Cherylyn has her B.Ed from U of A, and is nearing the end of her ordination requirements through our denomination (on track to complete the process in May 2025). We are pleased to see her step into this role for the interim season of ministry at Bowridge.

Similar to Nathaniel Froese at Westhills, there is obvious recognition that this is a new role and a new experience for Cherylyn, and she will be well served by having strong support and assistance. Therefore, Ron Gray (in his new role) will be supporting Cherylyn as part of the Bowridge Staff Team, providing coaching and spending roughly 50% of weekend services at Bowridge.

I want to thank the Bowridge family for the love, encouragement and support you have shown Cherylyn over the past months. I am asking you to commit yourselves to continue in this and to pray for Cherylyn and the Bow staff team in the days to come.

You might be asking, “What happens if Jon does or does not return from Long Term Disability?”

Cherylyn (just like Nathaniel at Westhills) has agreed to the Interim role with the following commitments:

• The Interim role is only for the duration of the LTD window (maximum two years).

• Should Jon return during this time, we will, together with Cherylyn, negotiate a suitable role for her at RockPointe (including the potential to slide right back into an Associate role).

• Should Jon not be able to return, the position of Bowridge Site Pastor will be publicly posted and a hiring process undertaken, again, negotiating a suitable role with Cherylyn.

Both Cherylyn and Nathaniel have honoured RockPointe with their humility, willingness to serve, and openness to whatever God has for us in the future. They are to be commended for their posture.

JON LIM & DWAYNE PEDERSON — LONG TERM DISABILITY

Always on our mind and in our prayers is the well-being of Dwayne Pederson and Jon Lim who are currently on Long Term Disability. Below are notes from each of them. But first, a few notes on what steps we will be taking with both Jon and Dwayne in the future.

Firstly, we are planning for any eventuality with Jon's and Dwayne’s LTD. This includes an LTD Re-Entry Plan should they be medically cleared to return. Additionally, an LTD Expiration Plan is being developed should they not be cleared for return. We will be walking through it all alongside Jon and Dwayne and honouring, to the best of our ability, these two men and their families, whom we dearly love and miss.

Please continue to pray for them, their families and those fulfilling pastoral responsibilities on staff.

A Message from Dwayne Pederson (Westhills Site Pastor)

"Hello RPC! I am continuing the road of recovery after being diagnosed with MDD (Major Depressive Disorder). A team of specialists are working closely with me and are hopeful that I will eventually experience a full recovery and be able to return to my role as Westhills Site Pastor. There is no timeline yet on my return. I am so thankful for all your prayers and support during this mental health journey."

A Message from Jon Lim (Bowridge Site Pastor)

"RockPointe, I miss you…

"I miss the people, the rhythms of life together, the staff, the work. In particular, I miss the community worshiping Christ together! I am so grateful for you all. Your kind words, actions and prayers have been meaningful to me over this time period. I am very grateful for the staff at Bowridge as well—Cherylyn, Jeff, Desirae, and Ron. These staff love the Lord! They are faithful, humble, gifted leaders who are carrying the love of Christ to you and through you to those you know. You also should know that the church has been very supportive and loving to our family.

"As you pray for me, give thanks to God and pray for healing.

"I have been on long-term leave, having been diagnosed with ‘Long COVID’. Symptoms of extreme fatigue, brain fog, and more continue to persist. I have a few tough days a month. These tough days include feeling completely drained and unable to move out of bed. Thinking, speaking, chewing, and moving can be challenging on those kinds of days. Most days I experience lowered levels of energy, which feels like I am moving in a slow, dream-like state. My days are spent managing my energy and working with my health team to rehabilitate myself physically and mentally, as there is presently no cure for Long COVID.

"As you pray for me, thank God for His wonderful provision. I’m so grateful to walk with a friend like Jesus through even the most confusing times. I am so grateful for my family, my friends, and my community of faith at RockPointe. Pray for God’s healing touch on my body. Pray for me to experience sweetness in walking with the Lord. Pray for God to give supernatural wisdom to researchers, leaders, and health professionals. Pray for God’s strength and grace for my family, that we would continue to walk with God celebrating His handiwork!

"Some of you have expressed prayers, messages, and well-wishes to me. Thank you! These have been so helpful on days that seem dim for me. If you want to express any messages like these, pass these prayers and wishes to my wife (Connie) or my parents (Mike and Joan Lim) at Bowridge. You can also pass these messages through one of our church staff by emailing [email protected]."

If you have any questions related to these staffing updates, please feel free to email [email protected].