TORONTO, Canada, December 11, 2002 — A fresh breeze of promise is blowing through the corridors of head office at the Canadian Bible Society in Toronto, the spark of which can be traced to one man. That man is Rev. Glen Pitts, the new National Director of the almost 100-year-old organization.
An experienced executive leader who has worked with several different multi-national Christian ministries, Pitts, also has pastoral experience, and is an ordained minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. He joined the Canadian Bible Society the beginning of the month.
If past record is any indication, the society can look forward to some exciting times
Photo: Robert Simpson
Wally Sherwin, Executive Director and Glen Pitts, National Director, of the Canadian Bible Society, speak to the staff at Glen's first staff chapel meeting at head office in Toronto, on December 3rd, 2002.
|
If Pitts' past record of achievement is any indication, the society can look forward to some exciting times. Ken F. Taylor, Chair of the Bible Society's Board of Governors would agree. "In his work with previous ministry organizations, he has proven to be a visionary, with a demonstrated ability to provide leadership in the development of new initiatives and revitalization of already effective programs," he said in a news release announcing Pitts' appointment.
Ironically, this was not at first, a job that Pitts wanted. He only agreed to investigate the position at the insistence of a friend, who suggested he had the necessary skill set to successfully lead the organization. But God has a way of taking such tentative steps that are made in obedience, and magnifying them for His greater glory.
After his initial meeting with the Board of Governors, Pitts says he and his wife of 35 years, Janette, began to pray in earnest. "It came to a point where we just simply said, 'O.K. God. You know us better than we know ourselves. And we're just simply making ourselves available to you. And if you feel that we can effectively serve you in the kingdom within this context, then so be it,'" he remembered during a recent telephone interview.
Pitts has ministered in more than 100 countries on 5 continents
| His [Glen Pitts] resume includes such notable appointments as Executive Director, Cities of the World with Campus Crusade for Christ, and International Vice-President, Every Home for Christ International (World Literature Crusade). He has travelled to more than 100 countries. |
Glen Pitts is a man who is used to taking flight. Literally. His resume includes such notable appointments as Executive Director, Cities of the World with Campus Crusade for Christ, and International Vice-President, Every Home for Christ International (World Literature Crusade). He has travelled to more than 100 countries.
But as he learned more about the Canadian Bible Society, Pitts says he started to identify with the organization's mission. "It started as (the Board) sent me more information on the ministry. I was going deeper and deeper into the ministry. And through that process, God began to burden within me a real concern ... a vision, I guess for the Bible Society and their whole mandate ... the whole Bible cause.
"I'm not feeling like I've got all the answers by any shot, but I really believe God wants me here for this time. And I feel really strongly about that," he added.
His hobbies include riding his motorcycle and downhill skiing
From a purely practical standpoint, Pitts, 58, could well be considered to be approaching the sunset years of his career. Yet he radiates a youthful energy and passion for life that go far beyond his 9-to-5 job. His hobbies include riding his motorcycle and downhill skiing.
It is that same kind of energy, which permeates his personal vision for the Canadian Bible Society in the coming years, one he describes as including increased vitality at all levels of the organization. "I think we need to capture the zeal of youth. Youth bring passion and energy," he said.
"For our older constituency I would add that increased vitality has little to do with age. It has everything to do with attitude and with being able to be flexible and adjust to needed change."
|
