Long-time director bids MissionFest Toronto farewell
TORONTO, ON—Jude Hodgson is out as executive director and Sharon Ganesh is in as MissionFest Toronto changes leadership.
"I [took] the summer off to re-evaluate," says Hodgson, who headed up the annual missions conference since July 2004. She says she knew in December 2009 that the 2010 event would be her last.
Hodgson began working for MissionFest Toronto in 2003 as the event coordinator after a stint as a senior director for Mary Kay Cosmetics. Hodgson used her skills as an organizer and marketer to raise the MissionFest's profile.
"The biggest challenge was bringing the whole body of Christ together," says Hodgson. "And there were always challenges financially—but it gave us great opportunities to be creative."
"Jude paved the way by implementing creative ideas to build up the momentum and importance of MissionFest to this city and beyond," says Ganesh.
She first approached Hodgson in 2006 to include a Mission in the Arts, Culture and Media seminar in the schedule. Hired that year as managing director, Ganesh took over as executive director August 1.
She's continuing with the organization's plans to invite ministries, churches and individuals to become Friends of the Fest partners. And new initiatives for MissionFest Toronto 2011, themed "We're All in This Together," include MissionFest Film Nights with partnering churches and a Men on a Mission plenary with Luis Palau.
"Her departure is felt by all. We will miss her, but know that the Lord is leading her into an exciting new direction in her life," says Ganesh.
Hodgson sees her departure as a time of transition.
"I'll be waiting with God for what's next," says Hodgson. "I sense His heartbeat for lost all the time—the widows, orphans.
"Whatever comes along will probably be missional."
And whatever comes will also connect Hodgson with people—which is what she'll miss the most in leaving MissionFest Toronto.
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