A Letter from Rob: Light and Transformation in the New Year
By Rob Radtke, President & CEO, Episcopal Relief & Development
While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light.
–John 12:36
In the Bible, the apostle John reminds us that as Christians we are meant to be a beacon of hope and light to the world, just as Jesus was. In today’s world it can sometimes be hard to find the light in the darkness. But, if you look closely, it is there.
Episcopal Relief & Development collaborates with local partners around the world to shine light in communities affected by violence, abuse, discrimination, poverty and other injustices. And this light is transformative.
In 2024, I traveled to Liberia where Episcopal Relief & Development is working to reduce violence against women and girls. This work is done in partnership with IRUSA and Episcopal Church of Liberia Relief & Development. Since the beginning of our partnership, we have been able to help women in rural Liberia by engaging Christian and Muslim faith leaders, and other local leaders, as vital actors to prevent gender-based violence and respond appropriately when it does occur.
As I listened to the stories that were shared with me during my visit, I could see and feel the transformation that is taking place in the lives of the people who are a part of our program there. In every community, fear and darkness were fading away as schools, churches, mosques and local leaders came together to promote life without violence.
Through our life-changing work to reduce gender-based violence in Liberia, survivors like Mother Susanna now counsel other gender-based violence survivors and help them find their voice and power. Young people like Arthur, a high school student, are being encouraged to speak up against teachers and authority figures who perpetuate violence. Faith leaders like Matthew are inviting men into the dialogue about violence against women and girls in order to break the cycle of violence in their communities.
The work we do in Liberia is just one example of Episcopal Relief & Development’s ministry of light. A new dawn has broken through our holistic approach to reducing gender-based violence, helping communities adapt to climate change, fostering nurturing care for children and providing aid during times of disasters.
In Ghana, caregivers like Mohammed are learning the importance of leafy greens for fetal development and maternal health and entire families are implementing healthy habits. In Guatemala, savings group participants like Angelica are becoming empowered by diversifying their income through the mastery of new skills. In Malawi, community members like Lucy are recovering from unprecedented flooding and building up their resilience against future shocks.
In the new year, we are welcoming a new Board Chair, to be announced next month, and a Chief of Finance & Operations, Sergio Lopez Soto. In late 2024 we welcomed Anna Hutto as our first Chief External Relations Officer. This team will lead alongside Abagail Nelson, our Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, and myself. This transformation, along with the work of our staff and partners, will help us implement our current strategic plan as we seek to grow our impact by equipping 350,000 change agents by 2030.
In addition, these changes to the organization will allow us to explore more interfaith, ecumenical and secular partnerships based on shared values to help us increase our impact and reach our programmatic goals. We will also continue nurturing our deep and abiding relationships with The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion.
As President and CEO, I am deeply blessed to be able to come to work with such a diverse array of talented and committed individuals focused on Working Together for Lasting Change.
I believe that under the current strategic plan, Episcopal Relief & Development will be able to engage with new global communities, equip even more leaders and be the embodiment of light that we aspire to be.
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Rob Radtke is the President & CEO at Episcopal Relief & Development. |
