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Assessments in Brazil
One of the tools that Campus Outreach SERVE has developed to help staff and field teams is assessments at intervals of staff experience. While assessments are part of many organizations and have been part of Campus Outreach regions for decades, the SERVE approach has standardized and tailored them to the Campus Outreach reality. Teams of assessors and coordinators have visited many regions, both in the US and internationally, to help run these assessments for so many staff in recent years.
For me, 2026 has brought both the opportunity to participate as an assessor on location in Brazil and to journey through an assessment for veteran staff.
In September, I traveled to Belo Horizonte, my previous home in Brazil, as part of an assessor team for two Brazilian staff who have completed their first years on staff. A team of Portuguese-speaking assessors was assembled to best serve these Brazilian staff members. This was my first experience on the assessor side. While I have often reviewed and even led staff evaluations, serving as an objective assessor was new to me. Pouring over 70 pages of reviews and notes per person was not an easy task, but I thoroughly enjoyed being able to sit down and bring an analytical perspective to each staff member on feedback others provided about their DESIGN, VISION, and HEALTH. The added bonus of visiting Brazil, family, friends, and our beloved church in Belo Horizonte was extra special.
Additionally, I will be participating in a Phase 3 Assessment – for veteran staff with 10+ years of experience – throughout November, December, and into 2027. As I commemorate 25 years on staff and our transition from Brazil enters its fourth year, I also turned 47 this year. This is a natural point for reflection and re-evaluation of what the next 5-10 years will involve. The Phase 3 Assessment is tailored to each person, based on reviews and profile. I will be diving into a coaching season with our Assessments Coordinator; we will focus on Personal Design and Vision, Career Transition Exploration, and Emotional Intelligence.
When we add to our already full plate, the space and energy available for regular work projects, support raising, family, and life in general can feel like too much. Please pray with me that I can invest time, energy, and perspective in seeking what the Lord has for us over the next decade, whether that be with Campus Outreach or in another possibility currently unclear to me! Like Abraham, I want to walk faithfully where the Lord leads.