Today marks my 40th. 

Last fall I shared about my transition from my leadership role at HOPE International. Since then, I’ve worked very part-time at HOPE and invested most of my waking hours in sustaining the lives of our four small children. 

This season gave me a newfound appreciation for the role Alli served in our family for most of the last 12 years. And, it gives me tremendous respect for the moms and dads out there who spend their days whipping together PB&Js, brokering truces among warring siblings, and navigating the great carpool shuffle.  

The actual work is not hard. Wiping butts and pouring bowls of cereal is not tactically difficult. But the compounding effect of dozens of these tasks every hour of every day for months exacts a real toll. The work is invisible to everyone aside from the small children who are often delightful, but often incredulous you might ask them to vacuum the very floors they’ve sullied. To all the full-time and part-time stay-at-home parents out there: You do hero’s work. Hold the line. Don’t let those whippersnappers unionize and boycott their chores today. Not on your watch.

The last nine months have also been gratifying in ways I struggle to fully verbalize. From morning tears about classmates who have chosen new friends to afternoon cackles at the pool, this season gave sacred glimpses into the joy and privilege of raising children. I love these kids immensely and loved the front-row seat this season afforded me to witness their creativity, courage, and wit. 

With the kids now all in school and reaching age 40, I’m stepping into a new chapter. And, with that comes a complete change of scenery. 

For the last 17 years, I’ve served at HOPE International in a variety of roles. It’s been such a joy to see the organization grow from less than thirty employees in just a few countries in 2006 to over 1,400 employees working across over 20 countries today. From serving just hundreds of hardworking entrepreneurs to today serving millions. In January, I will officially join the ranks of our amazing donors and volunteers championing HOPE without getting paid to do so. 

And, starting next week, I’ll be starting a new role at EMJD Corporation, a 53-year-old sheet metal fabrication company located just a few minutes away from our home. There are a host of reasons why I’m excited about this change, but it starts with Luke and Jenna Galli, our longtime friends. Alli and I have been good friends with the Gallis for over a decade. They bought EMJD a few months ago and I’m looking forward to helping them and their amazing team in growing the business. In my role, I’ll support Luke with sales, marketing, special projects, and anything else that’s needed to help EMJD flourish.

I’m also excited about working in a small business that makes things. 11 years ago this month, Christianity Today took a risk on me and published my first real article on the impact a metal fabrication company can have on its employees, with the important products they make, and the communities where they serve. I’ve long been an advocate for the role small businesses like EMJD can have on society and now I get to experience it firsthand. 

Finally, I’m grateful for a flexible arrangement allowing me to continue to manage the school carpooling schedule. In a fun perk, I get to work across the street from Alli, who is loving her journey of leading and building businesses with a great team at Marrow.

I remain HOPE’s biggest fan. I can’t wait to invest even more financially in the dreams of the men and women we serve as we live and proclaim the Gospel. God has been so gracious and good to HOPE and to me and I’m grateful for the capable colleagues that carry the baton into new frontiers. 

I’m not entirely sure what will happen with this blog and writing in the future, but I’m grateful for the ways you’ve encouraged me along the way. At 40, I guess I’m now officially at the top of the hill, but I’m grateful for the journey up and for what lies ahead on the path down. 

– Chris