On June 30th, Compassion Connect’s staff family will be bidding a bittersweet goodbye to a key member of our team: Ray Biggerstaff. Our Compassion Clinics Director since fall 2015, Ray has accepted a new role as Regional Director of Child Bridge, a foster care nonprofit in Kalispell, Montana. While our team is sad to see Ray go, we trust that God has opened up a new chapter for the Biggerstaffs and will use them in beautiful new ways in Montana.
Ray’s previous experience leading a foster care ministry through YWAM in Las Vegas, Nevada, as well as his personal passion to serve foster children makes him particularly well suited for this new role. He and his wife Clare have adopted two children out of foster care, in addition to their 3 biological children. We are so excited for this next step for his whole family.
“My wife said it well in that there is no better, more reassuring feeling in this world than knowing without a doubt that your Shepherd is leading you. This has given my family and I reason to celebrate as we have seen some of our faith journey come to sight.”
“After much prayer and actively seeking God, I’ve decided my time with Compassion Connect is coming to an end,” Ray says. “My wife said it well in that there is no better, more reassuring feeling in this world than knowing without a doubt that your Shepherd is leading you. This has given my family and I reason to celebrate as we have seen some of our faith journey come to sight.”
Along with the joy, he adds that “in the middle of this there is some sadness as I wrap my mind around saying ‘good-bye’ to so many wonderful people I’ve served alongside over these last 5 years. I am grateful for my time serving closely with many lovely volunteers and becoming friends with many Guests at clinics. My hope is that you’ll be able to continue serving together in the coming months and years through Compassion Clinics, and the many other wonderful ways in which we can be one Church.”
Ray (right) with volunteers Alex and Patty at a Compassion Clinic
“Ray and his family moved to Oregon in faith nearly 5 years ago. He joined our team at a critical time when we needed passionate, humble leaders who could take the Compassion Clinic model to new communities. Ray fulfilled that role and more in his time with Compassion Connect. He has become a good friend, well-respected leader, and genuine collaborator. My heart was full of joy when Ray told me he had an opportunity to lead in the critical work around foster care. This is a deep passion he has walked out for many years, well before his time with Compassion Connect. I value the reality of a God who prepares good works in advance for all of us and seeing Ray take these steps should encourage us all in what faith looks like,” says Compassion Connect Co-Founder & Executive Director Milan Homola.
Our team has been working on a transition plan for Ray and will be posting a job description and application in coming weeks (more information coming soon). Ray has been hard at work setting up future clinics for success in his absence, including establishing a team of volunteers committed to helping facilitate our upcoming clinics this fall.
If you would like to submit a goodbye video or letter thanking Ray for his time at Compassion Connect and wishing him well on his new journey, please send these to anna@compassionconnect.com prior to June 24.
Due to the ongoing pandemic we aren’t able to host a large goodbye gathering for Ray, but we know that he has touched many people throughout the years and want to invite you to be a part of virtually recognizing him for his time. If you would like to submit a goodbye video or letter thanking Ray for his time at Compassion Connect and wishing him well on his new journey, please send these to Anna Johnson (anna@compassionconnect.com) prior to June 24.
Ray concludes, “I truly think that God has prepared Compassion Clinics for this change during this season. It is going to take some hard work and innovative dreaming but the model has so much opportunity to grow in both impact and quality. Carrying this vision has been my job for the past five years and I am eager to see how God brings forth new leaders to take it into a new decade!”
