New Area Director for North America and the Caribbean
1st November 2020
We are delighted to announce that Dan Studt, our US President, today takes on the additional responsibility of Area Director for North America and the Caribbean.
Dan takes over from Steve and Marianne Becker who are moving into new roles within Freedom in Christ (watch this space for news of that!). Under their leadership the 'footprint' of Freedom in Christ has really been extended in the Caribbean and we're looking forward to seeing what happens next in that area. Steve and Marianne have worked closely with Dan since 2015 in various regional and national roles in the US and collaborated on events throughout the country – too many to mention! Steve Becker says, "In 2018 I had the privilege of endorsing Dan for the role of President of FICM, U.S., which became vacant after Rich Miller’s retirement, and in early 2019 we commissioned him as President of FICM, U.S. All that to say, in both word and deed, I am delighted to endorse Dan's appointment to the role of Area Director, North America and Caribbean."
Steve Goss, International Director, says, "I'm so grateful to Steve and Marianne for all they've done, especially in the Caribbean where they and our Jamaican Representative, Claudette Bennett, have overseen openings for the ministry in several new nations - my only regret is that Covid forced us to cancel a conference in the Caribbean in April. It's wonderful that Dan, the leader of our largest national office, is prepared to take on the responsibility for leading the wider N. America and Caribbean area. In doing that, he follows in the footsteps of his U.S. predecessor, Rich Miller, who was our first N. America and Caribbean Area Director. It's exciting!"
Dan and Jen have four children: two girls, one already married and the other engaged to be married; and two teenage boys. Dan loves to be outdoors, hiking and running. Together with his sons he's just completed the Adirondack 46 High Peaks in New York State.
Dan was in pastoral ministry for about 25 years, first as a youth pastor, then as Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries, and finally as a church planter. At one point after five years as a pastor, Dan recalls that he told the Lord that he never wanted to be in ministry again, but just wanted a normal job and a church where he and Jen could serve and help the pastor. During that time, he worked in a Psychiatric Emergency Department. Dan says, "The Lord brought me back into ministry obviously, and I’m forever grateful He turned my plan on its head!"
As he takes up the role of Area Dirctor, he says, "It is such a joy and honor to serve the Lord in Freedom in Christ with such tremendous people throughout the U.S. and around the world! I'm really looking forward to this opportunity to serve the global community."