October 5, 2006
Atlanta Elder and Associate Campaign Director, David York, to lead campaign
during final phase
David York Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly
Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has asked David York, Associate
Director of the Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands, to assume leadership
of the campaign as it moves into its final phase. York, an elder at First Presbyterian
Church, Atlanta, will assume his new role on October 28.
Jan Opdyke Jan Opdyke, director since January 2004, tendered her resignation
on Monday, October 2. Citing the need to limit her travel in order to care for
her aging mother, Opdyke has accepted a position with a local university. She
will leave the campaign on October 27, 2006.
Valentine cited York's dedication, fundraising acumen and
knowledge of the PC(USA) as central to this appointment. "David York is
a leader who serves the church with enthusiasm and dedication. He will help the
denomination create new avenues of funding for new congregations and new mission
personnel," Valentine said. York has been an associate director of the campaign
since October 2004.
The Rev. David Peterson and the Rev. Joanna Adams, co-chairs
of the Joining Hearts & Hands Steering Committee, hailed York's appointment
and cited his expertise in denomination-wide funds development, particularly
his work with presbyteries in partnership with the campaign. York is the former
Director of Development at Johnson C. Smith Seminary and a retired school administrator
for the Atlanta school system.
Valentine accepted Opdyke's resignation with regret. "Jan brought tremendous
energy and gifts to this work," Valentine said, "not the least of which
was assembling a fantastic team to carry forward the ministry of Joining Hearts & Hands.
This campaign is critical to the life of the church, and we are committed to
its continuation."
In a statement to the PC(USA), Opdyke wrote, "As strong
as my call has been to serve God through Joining Hearts & Hands, I now find
that my call to honor my family must take precedence. I have confidence that
the campaign will conclude successfully. Joining Hearts & Hands is a call
to all Presbyterians to use their God-given resources to tell of the saving grace
of Jesus Christ — at home and around the world. We have many differences, but
one core purpose — to share the Gospel. I will continue to work towards
that end in my congregation and in my presbytery."
Opdyke resides in Redlands, California, and is a commissioned lay associate
pastor at Community Presbyterian Church.
Adams and Peterson said that while they grieved Opdyke's
departure because she "embodied the vision of Joining Hearts & Hands," she
has left in place a strong staff, who will advance the campaign in its final
phase. "Joining
Hearts & Hands is one of the most important things the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) is doing today," they said in a joint statement. "It is a
bright light in these challenging days."
Mandated by the 214th General Assembly (2002), Joining Hearts & Hands
is a five-year campaign of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to raise $40 million
for national church growth and the expansion of mission work abroad. To date,
the campaign has successfully raised $25.5 million in gifts and pledges from
individual Presbyterians, congregations and presbyteries.
In addition to David York, the campaign retains three employees.
Emily Odom serves as associate director for communications, Patrice Paton as
consultant for major individual and congregational gifts and Becca Snipp as administrative
assistant.
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