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Boomer values connections
Valuing personal connections is one characteristic of boomers. They share and nurture faith by building relationships, as Gretchen and Keith Kingsley are doing as they walk with the indigenous Toba, Pilagá and Mocoví people of the Argentine Chaco). So it isn’t surprising to find a similar outlook with a boomer such as Marcella Hershberger, division assistant for global ministries and assistant to the director for West Asia and Middle East at Mission Network offices in Elkhart. She values the contacts she has with overseas workers, though those relations are through prayer, e-mails, phone calls and occasional personal meetings. "The most enjoyable part of my job is the connection I feel with the workers,” she said. “In some places where you work as an administrative assistant, you feel like a cog in the wheel. Here I’ve never felt that way, because I feel I’m part of something bigger." Her job includes assisting senior executive James Krabill in his work, coordinating communication for the division, editing the worker newsletter and responding to the needs of workers around the world, to mention a few areas. Workers often need information or answers immediately, so Marcella either provides the information herself or tracks down an area director—a quality workers praise her for. "We could call her up at any time to find out where 'our fearless leader' was," wrote Phil and Christine Lindell Detweiler, recalling their experience in Benin, West Africa. "Marcella always knew the answer."
Prayer time in global ministries is an important way she stays connected with workers. "We do a lot of praying for workers during that time," she said. "Sometimes they request prayers, and other times we'’re aware of issues because of what they’ve said in prayer letters. Or someone is on our minds because we know they have something heavy coming up. Praying for people helps to strengthen a sense of connection." One of the things workers most appreciate about Hershberger is the way she keeps them connected to the Mission Network through e-mails. The notes that Marcella writes "are empathic, caring and encouraging, just like Marcella!" said Carol Bornman, a worker in Senegal. Workers who interact with Hershberger praise her efficiency, attention to detail and empathy. "Over the years she has sprinkled our e-mail box with personal e-mails speaking of her prayers and support of us," wrote Teresa and Mike Sherrill, workers in Japan. Marcella also uses her connections to workers to engage others in mission, as when she is asked to preach at her church. "I always have lots of sermon illustrations," she said. "It's a way of making the workers more real to the people in the pews and helping them be more aware of what’s going on with a church mission agency." The connections she cultivates with workers impact her faith as well. "Hearing what God is doing around the world through what I hear from workers has really renewed my personal faith." Fellow boomers would understand completely: Connections nurture faith. Also in this issue: Features Highlights Highlights |
