Today, we celebrate an important leadership transition as we pass the baton from Eric to Rebeca. Much like an Olympic relay, the passing of the baton represents both the completion of one significant leg of the race and the beginning of another. The race doesn’t stop; it continues with a new leader carrying the same vision forward.

First, we want to recognize and celebrate Eric’s 15 years of ministry with Students International, including 10 years of faithful leadership as our Base Leader.

Eric began this journey at just 24 years old. Over the past 15 years, he has invested his life, his gifts, and his heart into the ministry and people of this community. His years of service have helped shape the ministry, strengthen relationships, disciple others, and create lasting opportunities for students and teams to serve alongside our national staff.

This ministry has also become deeply personal for Eric. It was here that he met his wife, Chelsie, who has also served faithfully on our SI staff. Together, they have built a family and have now welcomed their fourth son. What began as a season of ministry has grown into a deeply meaningful part of their family’s story.

As Eric transitions out of his role as Base Leader, his time serving in this community isn’t the end of his journey with Students International. Eric and his family will be relocating to Tennessee, where he will step into a new role as SI’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). We are grateful that Eric’s experience, leadership, and heart for this ministry will continue to bless Students International in this new capacity.

Eric, your years of service represent far more than a position or a title. They represent lives touched, relationships built, people discipled, and a ministry strengthened through your faithful leadership. We are incredibly grateful for the race you have run and the baton you have carried so faithfully. While your role is changing, your impact on this ministry and the people who make it what it is will continue for years to come.

And now, we are excited to pass that baton to Rebeca as she steps into the role of Base Leader!

Rebeca brings years of valuable ministry experience, having worked alongside both our national staff and North American teams. She understands the heart of our ministry and the importance of building relationships across cultures. She will also have the support and partnership of her husband as they continue serving together with their two children, both of whom attend Dulos.

Rebeca brings many gifts to this leadership role. She is a gifted leader and worship leader, but perhaps even more importantly, she brings a humble heart and a genuine desire to be used by the Lord wherever and however He sees fit.

That is the kind of heart we desire in a leader—not simply someone who has the ability to lead, but someone who is surrendered to the One we ultimately serve. We are excited to see how God will use Rebeca’s gifts, experience, and willingness to serve as she leads this next chapter of ministry.

Rebeca, we are cheering you on! We pray that the Lord will give you wisdom, strength, grace, and joy as you take the baton and lead this community forward.

Eric, thank you for running your leg of the race so faithfully. Rebeca, we are excited to see how God will lead you as you begin yours.

As we celebrate both of these leaders and the seasons ahead, may we remember that while leadership changes and batons are passed, the mission remains the same, the calling remains the same, and the One we serve remains the same.

As Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.

To God be the glory for what He has done, and for all that He is yet to do!