This week the Renovaré Board, Staff, and Ministry Team retreated together, as they have each year for nearly three decades. In the familiar meeting room, thirty or so chairs were in the circle. It’s become a family.

And like family, there are seasons of joy and seasons of grief, lean seasons and plentiful seasons. Some — Dallas, Bill, and Roger — went on to join the cloud of witnesses. Others, like our beloved Joan Skulley, are in transition. (After being the behind-the-scenes heart of Renovaré for twenty-four years, Joan officially retired from staff and now joins our Ministry Team.)

When seasons change, you wonder if things will ever be the way they used to be. They won’t, of course. One never steps in the same river twice. But thankfully the new river can be as refreshing as the old, with a beauty all its own.

It’s challenging for an organization with a well-known founder to transition to the next chapter. Years ago, when Richard was retiring as president, he held Renovaré with open hands before the board: ​“Don’t be afraid to shut it down if it has served its purpose.” They prayed and sensed the Spirit wanted to continue to use the vessel of Renovaré to display the treasure of God.

And that’s our desire in this chapter — not to create ​“Renovarians” or ​“Willardians” or ​“Spiritual Formation Fanatics,” but to help people seek first the Kingdom of God and follow hard after Jesus, our Savior, Teacher, Lord, and Friend. Because as we follow him we become more like him, and as we become more like him our families and cities are blessed and God is glorified.

We’re so thankful you’re part of this chapter, too.

Chris Hall, our current president, prayed for us as we left the retreat, and I pass that prayer now along to you: May the blessing of God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — rest on you.