Just this week, MomsHope experienced a passing of the baton as we welcomed Lisa Allgood into the role of Executive Director. Congratulations, Lisa! We are all very excited to follow your lead as you guard what has been entrusted and expand us in ways that line up with your gifting, knowledge, and passion for growth.

We also spent some much needed time celebrating Janet Lapps, who has poured her sweet heart and deep soul into all of us and is undeniably a kind, honest, and devoted woman of God with a heart the size of Texas. We would be remiss not to mention the strong team of dedicated women Janet has woven together to develop a solid framework that serves as the foundation of MomsHope—what a team!

This exchange from one amazing woman to another has been well prayed over and much time has been taken to hear God’s voice of direction.

Regardless of the time it takes for a kingdom connection to occur, no ministry, family, or generation exists independent of its predecessors. It stands on the shoulders of those that came before. There is nothing more powerful than building upon a firm foundation. It allows us to enter into a flow of focused momentum.

There are quite a few well-known examples in Scripture that show a powerful handoff—Moses to Joshua; David to Solomon; Elijah to Elisha; Jesus to his disciples; and Paul to Timothy. We notice them because there’s a marked change in the atmosphere when there’s a changing of the guard, a passing of the baton.

The fact remains, races are won and lost in the passing of the baton.

The key to a highly effective relay team is in the baton pass. You drop it and you’re done. You over or under run your exchange zone, and you fall behind, or worse get disqualified. Much like passing down responsibilities in ministry, business, and family, the key to a successful handoff is in the timing and coordination of the exchange.

The relay race is a beautiful picture of cooperation and teamwork. Both runners are highly tuned to the task at hand and must run in tandem to make a successful pass in the exchange zone. Each runner has a job to do, and at the finish line, it’s a celebration of collective effort when each runner accomplished what they were enlisted to do. One will not finish without the other.

As an adult, I participated in the Flying Pig marathon on a relay team. We each ran approximately six and a half miles to complete the grueling 26.2 mile course. Although we didn’t carry and exchange an actual baton, we carried an invisible one nonetheless. We relied on each other to make it across the finish line as a team.

We trained together, encouraged each other when our energy for the task waned and planned for race day. I was charged with running the last leg of the race. So as each leg of the relay was complete, the previous runner had to catch the shuttle to the finish line where together, they waited for me to enter the last hundred yards of the race.

They may have broken a rule or two by hopping the barricades to join me across the finish line. Even so, we got a side wink and a nod from the officials to carry on with our plan.

It is one of those fond memories that has made a mark on my lifeline.

We, as MomsHope, are privileged to participate in the passing of this particular baton. I know, from the excitement surrounding the announcement that we are all in this race together—one heart beating in tandem to finish strong. Our collective goal, to impact the kingdom through changed lives, families restored, and healthier communities for the next generation.

Let’s continue to encourage Janet and Lisa as they work in tandem for a successful passing of the baton. We are on God’s Team. And we are running the race of MomsHope.

As it relates to your personal race, be on the lookout for your runner, when you see her cresting the exchange zone, take the baton, and run your leg of the race. The finish line is in your sights and God is calling you onward.

Reflect and Respond:

Take some time this week to reflect on your leg of the MomsHope race. Perhaps you might want to pray about the next leg and what God is inviting you to do. Or share a praise of what He’s done that has made a marked impact on your life or someone else’s.

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed as we celebrate together the beautiful race of MomsHope.