To my Co-workers and Volunteer Leaders

Dear Co-Workers and Ministry Volunteer Leaders,

Thank you for believing in my passions in a way that did not feel conditional or fragile, but steady and real. You didn’t treat what I care about as something to be fit in only when convenient, but as something worth making room for. That kind of support is not common, and I don’t take it lightly. It has meant a great deal to be in a space where what I carry inside me—my desire to serve, to contribute, to be useful in meaningful ways—was not only noticed, but welcomed.

Thank you for seeing the ministry I desire within me, even before I always had the language or confidence to fully express it. You didn’t wait for me to have everything figured out before you encouraged me—you met me where I was and still chose to speak life into what you saw. That kind of encouragement matters deeply. It makes something internal feel real and possible, instead of distant or uncertain.

Thank you for not only recognizing that desire, but also encouraging me to step into work and ministry that I could do. You helped me understand that calling is not only found in what feels fully formed or grand, but also in the faithful, available, everyday ways a person can serve right now. You didn’t dismiss my limitations or overlook my abilities—you helped me find where those two meet, and how purpose can exist in that space. Because of that, I have been able to move forward with more confidence—not because everything is easy, but because I have been reminded that what I carry is real, and that there is a place for it in the world.

Thank you for allowing me to give back in the ways I am able. There is something deeply grounding about being trusted with responsibility, even in small ways, and being treated like I have something to offer. You did not limit me to what I could not do or what I had been through, but instead helped me step into what I could do. That shift changes a person. It builds confidence slowly and honestly—not through praise, but through opportunity, trust, and experience.

Thank you for the time off and flexibility to go to camps and ministry opportunities. Those moments were not just schedule adjustments—they were investments in something bigger. You made space for growth that didn’t always happen in the same room or on the same timeline as work, and you never made me feel guilty for stepping into those opportunities. Instead, you supported them, and that support gave me permission to grow without feeling like I was abandoning one part of my life for another.

Thank you for the inside jokes, the shared laughter, and the everyday moments that made work feel like a place of belonging rather than obligation. Those things might seem small, but they are not. They build connection. They make environments feel human. They turn coworkers into something closer to community. I will always remember the ease of those moments—the ability to laugh, to breathe, and to be fully myself without having to constantly filter or hold back.

Thank you also for the honest moments—the hard conversations, the awkward questions, the comments that sometimes stung but still came from a place of engagement rather than distance. You did not avoid me or treat me as incapable of growth. Instead, you stayed present enough to speak, to challenge, and to guide. That kind of honesty, when paired with care, becomes one of the strongest forms of mentorship a person can receive.

Thank you for mentoring me in ways that were both direct and unspoken. Some of what I learned came through instruction, through guidance, through being shown how things are done. But just as much came through observation—watching how you handled responsibility, how you interacted with others, how you carried yourself in leadership, and how you navigated both pressure and people. That shaped me more than I can fully express.

Thank you for helping me grow into what I can do now. There is something powerful about being around people who don’t define you by your limitations, but instead help you build capacity. You didn’t just tell me to grow—you created environments where growth was possible. You gave me space to try, to learn, to adjust, and to keep going without fear of being dismissed for not being perfect the first time.

Because of you, I have been able to see myself differently—not as someone who is simply trying to keep up, but as someone who has something to contribute. Someone who can show up, take part, serve, and add value in real ways. That is not something I arrived at alone. It was shaped by the way you chose to include me, guide me, and trust me.

So thank you—for the support, for the patience, for the guidance, and for the willingness to see me not only for where I started, but for what I could become. I am genuinely grateful to be in a space where I can grow while still being supported, and where I am not asked to do everything alone.

That has made all the difference.