This is the letter I shared with families about my upcoming transition.
Dear Friends,
Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. I will be with you wherever you go.
Whenever anyone would ask me if I saw myself in Student Ministry long-term, I would always say, “I plan to stay as long as the Lord calls me.” Because I have loved this position. I love your students. And I love watching the Lord work in their lives and your families. Each fall at the start of the programming year I would pray, and ask the Lord if He was calling me to another year. This fall was the first time I felt a nudge from the Lord that something might be next. I wasn’t sure what that might be, so I began discerning where the Lord might be leading. I began praying more intentionally and meeting with mentors and wise counselors.
A few months ago, I received a job description from a friend. They were looking for a young woman who loves the Lord, with a passport, a love for travel, and a heart for discipleship. The position is a Resident Coordinator for a Christian Study Abroad Program in Rome for college students. The RC meets with the American students for one on one discipleship, helps plan group activities, and build community among the students. For those who know me well, it felt as if the job description should have had my name on the top. I could see how my time in Student Ministry had prepared me for an opportunity like this one. After much prayer I decided to apply for the position and have accepted the role beginning September 2022 and I will be moving to Rome in August for the year.
I can’t begin to explain the mixture of excitement and sadness that fills my heart right now. Over the past four years you have become family to me. You all hold a special place in my heart and it has been such a joy to journey alongside you all. We have laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve prayed, we’ve cheered at sports games, we’ve sung in the car, and danced under the stars. It’s been a gift to have a front row seat to Jesus’ work in transforming lives. Which is why it has been so bittersweet to think about ending this season of Student Ministry.
I was recently reminded of the scene from Narnia’s Prince Caspian where the children have to leave. They don’t want to leave the beauty and friendship they found in Narnia, but Aslan reminds them that it is time to go. I can relate to Susan and Peter as I don’t want this beautiful season, and the Narnia I have experienced here, to come to an end. But as we are watching Spring arrive here in Pittsburgh, God has reminded me that the end of one season is the beginning of another. Together we are still serving one Lord and His Kingdom no matter where we are.
I would love to stay in touch as I begin this new chapter. The position is a nine-month program for one school year September 22 – May 23. I am planning to share about the experiences on my blog www.lovedandbeloved.com and social media @lindseyreich (on Instagram) and Lindsey Reichert on Facebook. You can support me by praying for this next year and I also love coffee dates to catch up before I leave.
I am encouraged about where the ministry is right now. Jesus is working and it is a healthy ministry, with wonderful leaders. I trust God will provide everything needed to continue His work. Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything.
Much grace and peace,
Lindsey
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