By Doug Gehman
Chairman of VidaNet Board
As you know, our dear friend DeLynn Hoover went to heaven in July 2020, leaving behind a very fruitful ministry that is now grieving the loss of its founder and leader, while charting a pathway into the future under new leadership.
The VidaNet Board, of which I am a part, has been walking with the VidaNet Staff in Costa Rica since DeLynn’s passing. Board member Steve Shank, who has been closely related to the Hoover family through the years, was asked by the Board and Staff to serve as Acting Director in this interim. Steve has brought incredible competence, comfort, stability and reassurance to all who are a part of this precious ministry.
During the past several months the VidaNet Board has considered several candidates for the role of Executive Director of VidaNet. One of those candidates is Wendell and Melanie Nofziger who have a long history of work in Latin America and have been friends with the ministry for many years. They have the requisite skill set to lead VidaNet and have enthusiastic support from the board and the staff to serve in this role.
Wendell and Melanie have agreed to divert from their plans to return to Honduras. They will now redirect to serve as executive leaders of VidaNet for the coming season. The Board has asked the Nofzigers to commit to at least two years to serve VidaNet, helping stabilize the ministry and leading VidaNet into the future.
Steve Shank’s role as Interim Director is drawing to a close, so getting new leadership in place is urgent.
On behalf of the VidaNet Board, I ask you to pray for the VidaNet Team and for the Nofzigers in this important transition. Changes are never easy. Everyone, especially the Hoover family and the VidaNet Team, need God’s amazing grace.
Please consider how you can help with the Nofziger’s transition. Thank you so much for your partnership and friendship with VidaNet through the years. I believe God will continue to powerfully use VidaNet to reach Latin America and prepare young people to go to the nations.
By Wendell Nofziger
Executive Director of VidaNet
“When DeLynn invited my family and I to join VidaNet staff last year, we agreed unanimously as a family to do so, believing that God is doing an important work through VidaNet. It is exciting to see the transformation of lives as young people are equipped and empowered to live more fully for God’s glory. DeLynn’s departure to heaven earlier than anyone desired leaves a gaping hole. No one will be able to fill that hole; myself included. However, I believe God is not finished using VidaNet. As I have accepted the board’s invitation to step in and give leadership to the ministry for this next season, I give thanks for the excellent foundation DeLynn, Gloria and the staff established. It feels as if I am being handed the baton in an amazing and adventurous race. I look forward to learning from the excellent staff already in place, honoring what has been and listening together for what God wants to do in the future of VidaNet, as more young people are released in discipleship and mission to the glory of God.”
My thoughts and prayers are with you all! The Nofzigers are a lovely family that will be a blessing to all. Just make sure you have the game of Skipo on hand!
God bless you, Nofzigers! Our Upstate New York youth group worked under DeLynn in 2006 for a couple of weeks and it changed our lives in big ways. We grew in Christ and in love with this mission and the Hoover’s. Our current youth group (Naumburg Mennonite Church) will be coming to work under you next summer. We are excited to see them experience growth there. Our prayer is that our church will continue to partner with your mission in bigger ways in years to come. We wish we could come again, but the current sponsors were our youth when we came. 😁 They are wonderful people. God bless you all.
May the Lord bring increase to the ministry of VidaNet through this transition. There is a rich and blessed history to build on. Blessings to each of you who are involved in leadership.
Dear Wendell, My husband Rich and I have been supporters and participants in Vida net for many years and have loved and respected Delynn & Gloria as some of the dearest & most genuine followers of Jesus we know! If DeLynn invited you and your family to join Vidanet then I know he trusted you saw his vision for the ministry. May God bless you as you take the baton!
Janet &Rich Starkey
We are excited for you and the Nofziger family. Our blessings and prayers and support go with you.
Tony and Karen Ford
As Wendells parents we are delighted to have him follow Christs leading. Although we will miss interacting with their family here in the states we give them our blessing and prayers. God be with you.