Ruth Harbor Announces Executive Director Transition Plan
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6
In 2020, the Ruth Harbor Ministries Board of Directors started crafting a transition plan in preparation for Mark McDougal’s retirement. Mark has served as Executive Director for 20 years and guided the ministry from a single house with minimal staff to a ministry today that serves young moms at two homes, in Carlisle and Des Moines, and a full staff.
Through prayer and conversation, the board recognized that God has blessed Ruth Harbor with a healthy, affirming culture where both staff and residents are truly valued and affirmed. It was important to transition the leadership of the ministry and embrace the new challenges the 2020s are revealing while maintaining the culture that visibly reflects the core values of Ruth Harbor.
Passing the Baton
Before beginning the search for the right individual, the board prepared and budgeted for a transition plan that would provide opportunity to transfer the trust Mark has earned as a part of the Ruth Harbor community to the next executive director. The plan provides the opportunity to bring in a highly skilled leader for Ruth Harbor’s next season and, at the same time, develop and launch the much-needed role of development director. This process of “passing the baton” over a period of months is intentional and deliberate.
The Ruth Harbor board is pleased to announce that Chris Eller has accepted the invitation by the board to become our next Executive Director. Chris is a life-long Iowan and well-known within the Central Iowa community. He joined the Ruth Harbor board in 2020 and has demonstrated the skills and character required to serve in this role.
Chris has more than 30 years of ministry experience in the Des Moines area. He served on the pastoral staff of Grace Church in Des Moines and First Family Church in Ankeny and currently serves as the Associate Executive Director for the Baptist Convention of Iowa. His professional experience has focused in the areas of communications and business administration.
Chris will begin serving as Executive Director Designate for Ruth Harbor on June 1, 2022. Mark will continue to serve as Executive Director through December 31, 2022. During this transitional period, there are several areas where Chris will begin leading immediately while shadowing Mark in the finer nuances of the housing ministry. This will also give Chris the opportunity to connect with the Ruth Harbor staff, constituents, partner ministries, and volunteers.
Chris Eller & Mark McDougal
Next Steps for Mark
Starting in 2023, Mark will continue to serve Ruth Harbor in a part-time position as our Director of Development, a role he has wanted to develop for some time. This new season in life is something Mark and his wife, Deb, have been planning for and looking forward to for several years. While this is certainly a change for Mark and Deb, it does not change their priorities: serving God together, serving their family, their community, and Ruth Harbor.
In addition to giving God thanksgiving and praise for His leading through this time of discernment regarding a new Executive Director, we also want to thank you, our partners and supporters, who faithfully pray, contribute your time and resources, and sacrificially give to serve young moms and babies. Together we are transforming lives through the grace and love of God.
An announcement like this is sure to generate questions, and we have tried to anticipate many of these and provide answers. You will find Questions and Answers on our website.
Prayer Requests
Ruth Harbor is a ministry that was birthed through prayer, has grown through prayer, and serves our community through prayer. Prayer is the essential ingredient in the success of Ruth Harbor’s ministry. Here are specific ways you can pray for RHM:
for discernment and wisdom needed for executing the transition.
for Chris, Mark, the board, the staff, and unity under God’s leadership.
for Jesus to draw women in need to Himself and to Ruth Harbor and fill our homes.
pray and ask the Lord to help us fulfill His vision for Ruth Harbor: Ruth Harbor is a place of peace for women who are struggling against a storm at sea and at risk of being lost.
A young woman who finds herself pregnant and without help is like a ship at sea caught in the midst of a great storm. Ruth Harbor is a haven of rest from the storm. It is a place to come and find peace (shalom) and hope. While at Ruth Harbor, the goal is to serve as an advocate for these women, to give them life skills, to help them create healthy relationships, and to discover God's purpose for their life and the life of their child. Most importantly, to help securely anchor her soul to the Lord Jesus Christ.
