Introducing Gwen Schroeder, Our Interim Executive Director

Every ministry walks through seasons of transition. What carries us through them is not a person or a title — it's the God who calls each of us, including the people he raises up to serve at just the right time.

Earlier this month, we shared that Aaron Wakeman would be stepping away from his role as Executive Director to begin a new ministry chapter at Concordia University–St. Paul. We remain deeply grateful for Aaron's years of faithful leadership, and we're eager to see how God will use him, Cora, and their whole family in the days ahead.

Today, I'm glad to announce the opening of a new chapter.

A familiar hand for this season

Our board has appointed Gwen Schroeder as Interim Executive Director of Friends Network, effective immediately.

This was not a decision we arrived at alone. As we prayed and talked through the path forward, the board unanimously appointed Gwen after several people identified her as a potential interim, Aaron among them. As we discussed her potential role, more and more benefits clicked into place. 

Gwen will continue carrying out her work as Director of Member Care.  Her direct support of missionaries is a blessing to every part of Friends Network and will remain a critical role she plays. 

Gwen already knows this ministry from the inside, and that continuity is a gift. She won't be starting from scratch; she'll be building on a foundation she has been working with in her time at Friends Network. Together with the rest of the staff, she will be taking up the slack in this critical time and getting things ready for a permanent Executive Director to step into place. Aaron is working closely with Gwen and our staff on an orderly handoff over the coming weeks.

Our mission has not changed

Through every part of this transition, our missionaries remain our priority. Our staff has already reached out to each of them with support, encouragement, and an open door for questions. The work of cross-cultural evangelism continues without interruption — because that work has never depended on any one of us. It is the Lord's.

We have also begun a deliberate, unhurried search for our next permanent Executive Director. We would rather be prayerful and thorough than fast, and we'll keep you updated as that search unfolds.

Where you come in

Would you pray with us? Pray for Gwen as she steps into this role. Pray for our missionaries and the people they serve. Pray for wisdom for our board and staff, and for the Wakemans as they begin a new exciting adventure.

The God and Father of us all has appointed our days and our times. We rest in his perfect plans, knowing his mission that all nations would come to trust in his Son continues as the heartbeat that Friends Network has carried from its earliest days, and the same one we'll carry until he gathers every nation, tribe, language, and people.

Thank you for walking this road with us.

In Christ,

Ben Workentine 

Chairman of the Board, Friends Network