I'm sad to announce that Majors Larry and Janet Ashcraft have received farewell orders and will be leaving Project 1:17 at the end of June.Larry and Janet pioneered Project 1:17 back in 2001 when appointed by Commissioner Joe Noland to develop an innovative youth ministry training program. Without any clear brief of appointment (this was a completely new idea for the territory), in faith, they blazed a trail and have established what we all now know as 1:17.
Since 2001, they have mentored and graduated 45 youth workers. These students have been from 12 countries including the USA, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Zambia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Congo-Brazzavile, and India. Some of these students are now officers, others are full-time youthworkers, while others are serving Christ in other capacities.
Larry has always been able to hold in balance strong leadership and relatability; organizational fidelity and critical imagination; reflective thinking and pragmatic action. Janet has been able to provide a safe haven for students to emotionally heal from their pasts, and to spiritually forge their new identities in Christ.Both have drawn on their experience and wisdom to help navigate our school through her first years - nurturing the program like a newborn baby. Their care and protection, advocacy and support have helped to establish this program as an integral part of The Salvation Army, Eastern Territory.
Most of all, they have been the spiritual mother and father of this program - and that can never be taken away.
We have laughed together, cried together, pulled our hair out together, celebrated together and most importantly prayed together over these past five years. We will miss seeing them daily, but know they will be friends forever.
May God bless Larry and Janet as they move to Cleveland, Ohio to take up their new appointments, and may they be used by the Lord to do GREAT THINGS for His kingdom in this new location.
Steve
11 comments:
Steve,
Sucking up at this point will get you nowhere!
We will miss you!!! We do love you!
You will miss my fashion tips
Larry,
That's true - especially that sucking up will get me NOWHERE! :)
We love you guys!
Steve
Aww, you guys are gonna make me cry :( Don't worry, we'll still come to you for fashion tips Larry ;)
Larry - you are GQ Man!
Not only do we have to say goodbye for the end of our year of training, but the Ashcrafts are leaving! P117 will never be the same! I'm sure things will go well for Larry and Janet in their new appointment, and I just hope they don't forget us! I'm going to start crying here in a minute so I have to go! I love you all!
Mel
Oh great..Now I'm crying. I Love the Ashcrafts and it will be REALLY sad to see them go. God Bless the Ashcrafts and their new appointments in Ohio. Even though Ohio is soooo far away!
And God Bless the Busseys as they take on new responsibilities in 1:17!
I hear the new directors of P117 are from Pittsburgh!
what the???!!... it happens again..... middle-aged teenagers have to learn how to communicate with people over 30 years of age.... I know what a challenge it is.... after our 'lifetime' in youth work, we now find ourselves as DCs (I used to think a DC was half a rockband??)... the hair gel will now become a necessity, not just fashion... don't look back (it didn't do much for Lots wife...)
WThom,
It should be announced very soon who the new directors of 117 are going to be. Probably within the next week.
Steve
i got a blogspot. check it out
i got a blogspot thing check it
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