May 31, 2022
Dear Partners in Ministry,
It is a gift to write this note of introduction to an audience I am familiar with, both directly and indirectly, as a result of being part of the Hospitality Center for the greater part of twelve years. After graduating from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2010 with a degree in Asian Literature & Language, I started working with The Hospitality Center as a day-trip volunteer and furniture intern. I was looking to connect with Chinese students and culture while using my Mandarin ability. This eventually led to me interviewing for the Executive Director position in 2011, but instead the Lord led me to Taiwan to teach English for the next two years. Upon my return, I became the program coordinator, which was the primary role through which we may have interacted. Since then, I have been a “Josh-of-all-trades,” performing, to some extent, nearly every role in the organization.
I can say with absolute confidence that God is appointing me through this process. His peace has been preparing my heart for this challenge through: his Word, your favor, my wife’s wisdom, and board, staff, and volunteer support. Because God has been so involved, I know his hands will provide everything I need to lead the organization, using the gifts and strengths he has given me.
I look forward to deepening the relationships we have across donors, volunteers, students, vendors, staff, ministry partners, board and more. I hope to always include a humble transparency about the God we serve to our entire community. I will continue to work with the staff towards excellence. I am full of wonder and expectation for how God will move in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
As we enter a celebration of the organization’s 30th year in existence, I look forward to leading humbly, standing on the foundations that my predecessors built as they used their gifts. I am most grateful to, and ask for, God’s strength and wisdom to participate in and empower others to share Christ’s love through hospitality to as many international students as we can with excellence and authenticity.
Josh Driver
Dear Partners in Ministry,
It is a gift to write this note of introduction to an audience I am familiar with, both directly and indirectly, as a result of being part of the Hospitality Center for the greater part of twelve years. After graduating from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2010 with a degree in Asian Literature & Language, I started working with The Hospitality Center as a day-trip volunteer and furniture intern. I was looking to connect with Chinese students and culture while using my Mandarin ability. This eventually led to me interviewing for the Executive Director position in 2011, but instead the Lord led me to Taiwan to teach English for the next two years. Upon my return, I became the program coordinator, which was the primary role through which we may have interacted. Since then, I have been a “Josh-of-all-trades,” performing, to some extent, nearly every role in the organization.
I can say with absolute confidence that God is appointing me through this process. His peace has been preparing my heart for this challenge through: his Word, your favor, my wife’s wisdom, and board, staff, and volunteer support. Because God has been so involved, I know his hands will provide everything I need to lead the organization, using the gifts and strengths he has given me.
I look forward to deepening the relationships we have across donors, volunteers, students, vendors, staff, ministry partners, board and more. I hope to always include a humble transparency about the God we serve to our entire community. I will continue to work with the staff towards excellence. I am full of wonder and expectation for how God will move in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
As we enter a celebration of the organization’s 30th year in existence, I look forward to leading humbly, standing on the foundations that my predecessors built as they used their gifts. I am most grateful to, and ask for, God’s strength and wisdom to participate in and empower others to share Christ’s love through hospitality to as many international students as we can with excellence and authenticity.
Josh Driver