As you may be aware, Mark has been taking a sabbatical since the end of October 2011. As he has studied, reflected and prayed he has come to the conclusion that he should step away from his role as Director at NYFC.
Margaret Smith writes on behalf of the trustees,
I am writing to let you know that we have accepted with very real regret the resignation of Mark Tuma as Director of Norwich Youth For Christ, and that 31st March will be his last day of service with us.
As you may know, Mark asked for a period of sabbatical leave from the beginning of October last in order to seek God’s guidance as to his future and ours, and to have a period away from work to pray and to think. At the beginning of December he contacted us with this decision.
We know that Mark has not taken this step lightly, and we thank God for the many years of service he has given to God’s work within NYFC, ultimately as an effective, wise and visionary leader. We shall miss him greatly.
There will be opportunities during the next three months for more news and for updates, but at this stage we simply want to convey the news to you and ask you to pray – for Mark and his wife Naomi as they consider God’s direction for their future, for the staff as they start a new term in their various ministries, and for the Trustees of Norwich Youth For Christ as we consider the way ahead.
The NYFC Annual Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, March 10th at St Andrew’s Church, Eaton, NR4 6NW (behind Waitrose) at 7.30 pm and we will take this opportunity to thank Mark for all his many years of service to NYFC.
We do hope you will be able to come to the Celebration on March 10th and look forward to meeting you.
Mark & Naomi
Speaking about his resignation Mark said,
“This is one of those decisions that has been both difficult and easy at the same time! Difficult because I have spent the last thirteen years working in the team here at NYFC, and that time has been an immense and fulfilling privilege. It is somewhat painful to know that the future involves moving away from the team, the organisation, the mission and the great young people we get to work with. However, there is also a lightness to this decision which comes from being convinced that this is the right path to take. I am confident that NYFC will be more innovative, exciting and effective than ever in the years to come – God has much for the organisation to do, and whoever takes over will take things to places I cannot.
“I am also confident this is the right decision for my family and I. We do not yet know what will come next for us, and so once again we are placing our trust in God and stepping forward. We would appreciate your prayers!
“I would like to say an enormous thank you to all of NYFC’s friends and supporters. You have all been a tremendous blessing to me and the rest of the team throughout the years. Without you we could not have come this far – you have each been instruments of God’s grace and provision to us, and by extension to the young people who have come to know Him through the work of NYFC. I know times are tough for many of us at the moment, but please continue to support the organisation in the future as they carry on this vital work of care and evangelism to young people in and around Norwich.”
Mark will be leaving NYFC at the end of March. Please pray for him as he seeks God’s will for the next phase in his life, for the staff who will be continuing the ministry of NYFC, and for the Trustees as they look to God for his guidance and direction for NYFC in the months ahead.
