How do we view “transitions” in our lives?

The reactions we have to the word transitions are as different as our experiences.  For me, at least for the most part, the word transitions means excitement, challenges, opportunities and lots of new adventures ahead.

It is with that perspective that I share with everyone that my tenure as president of CSB Ministries ends on November 13th.  It has been a joy to lead this ministry and to build relationships with so many people over these last 6 years.  I have been blessed to serve in a ministry that I am passionate about as well as one that has had a significant impact in my life both as boy and as a man.

Thank you to all those who have provided support to me personally as well as to CSB.  It has truly been a joy to serve with you.

It is with great joy that I also share with you that the Board of Directors has appointed John Launstein as the new president of CSB Ministries.  I have gotten to know John over the past 20 months as he has served as the president of CSB Canada.  He will be serving in both roles, which I believe is an exciting opportunity to bring his vision and passion for the ministry throughout all of North America.

John grew up in Brigade and believes passionately in our mission; Building the godly men of today and tomorrow.  John also served as a pastor before joining CSB and I believe this experience will continue to help the ministry relate well to church pastors and other key church staff.

I praise the Lord for strong evidence of his leading in this transition.  When my wife and I started this journey we chose to be bold and ask for “God-only” miracles.  There have been several we can point to.  I won’t recount them here except to say that I believe it is clearly God’s design to have John Launstein step into this role at this time.  In the last few days we have seen several confirmations of this through the exciting things God is doing.

If you have been worried or frightened by “transitions”, I encourage you not to be.  Look upon them as opportunities for God to do new and exciting things.  They are times when we can draw closer to him and see him work in ways that are “exceedingly, abundantly beyond all we can ask or imagine.

I have been blessed.  I hope you will be too in the days ahead.  Please pray for John as he steps into this new role as well as for the mission of CSB. 

Don Paterson