Introducing Kathryn, AM-CCSM's New Operations Director

Posted on 1 March 2010.

Thank you so much to all who prayed with us as we sought to find an Operations Director to take responsibility for the administrative and operational side of the ministry of Antioch Missions - Chinese Church Support Ministries. We are now delighted to introduce you to Kathryn, who joined us in the second half of 2009.

Since I came on board to join the team at AM-CCSM, I have very much enjoyed getting to know many of those who contribute to China Challenge, as well as those whom we read about. Although I've been an AM-CCSM supporter for over 15 years and a regular reader of China Challenge, I never really expected that I would appear in print! But here I am - and I must say a very heart-felt "thank you" to all those who have given me such a warm welcome.

One of the highlights of recent months was attending the Leadership Gathering in Hong Kong last October, when I was delighted to meet new friends and colleagues and, as I write, I'm looking forward to a forthcoming gathering of China-based colleagues, where I will meet some more. It was also a pleasure to meet supporters at the OMF China conference that took place in the UK in November. Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support, which are so valuable to all that we do.

So who am I and what do I bring to AM-CCSM?

I'm married to David and we have three children: Ben (9), Ella (6) and Olly (3). We live in the UK, in a little village 25 miles northwest of London. I studied Chinese at University and spent a year of that time living and studying in Beijing, returning a year later to Asia where I spent a summer term at university in Taipei. After completing my degree, I went to Law school, trained and qualified as a solicitor, and then practised in London and Hong Kong at a law firm and for a while, in an international bank.

I first heard Ross Paterson speak in the mid-1990s at a church I was attending in London. I was really struck by how interesting and valuable his contribution to life sounded and asked him afterwards if there was anything I could do to help. I didn't really imagine that strategy, planning and corporate law would be of any particular use to him or to AM-CCSM... little did I know that 15 years later, that would be what they were looking for. I don't know which of us is the more surprised - but here I am.

I see the main purpose of this role, which I carry out three days a week, as being one of direction and support to the "guts" of the ministry: the operations, the policies, the governance, the networking, etc. The aim is to free up the International Director and others, to help them to make the most of their gifts. It takes time to get this running and to get it right - and it was important to spend a considerable time listening in order to understand before "doing". But we're getting there now!

Over the last couple of months, we have instituted a new Board of Advisors and are delighted to have new friends and old bring their wisdom and talents to the ministry. I am so pleased to be working with them all and to be in regular touch with the AM-CCSM Base Directors, who do such an important job, and with others when I can. Please do feel free to get in touch if there is anything you want to ask me directly. Thank you again for all your prayers. And please do continue to lift us all up to the Lord as we seek to be ever more effective in fulfilling our vision to serve, strengthen and support the church and people of China.