Pastoral Transition Roadmap

After 16 years of service, Awaken’s Founding Pastor, Micah Witham, will be wrapping up his time at Awaken in late 2026. We encourage you to hear this from Micah himself, either by watching this clip from Micah's sermon, or reading the letter that Micah shared here. 

At the Informational Meeting, the Pastoral Advisory Team stated their intention to put forth a recommendation to move Jenna into the Lead Pastor role at Awaken upon Micah's departure next year. This decision came after weeks of discussion and discernment regarding possible leadership structures for Awaken moving forward. Jenna then shared her vision for Awaken in the coming years. You can hear what she had to say here. 

At the Congregational Meeting, the Pastoral Advisory Team brought forth the motion to call Pastor Jenna to the role of Lead Pastor next year upon Micah's transition out of the role. Partners of Awaken unanimously voted in favor of the motion! With this vote, the PATeam began moving forward with the intention to fill the role of a Teaching and Formation Pastor at Awaken next year. You can find a recording of the Congregational Meeting here. 

 The Pastoral Transition Survey was emailed out to congregants at the beginning of November. This survey is an opportunity to speak into the process by providing your feedback and perspective on who may be the right candidate to fill this role, and what we can provide as a staff and leadership team through this time of transition. 

 The Search Team is comprised of a variety of individuals from our congregation who we have asked to assist in the search for a Teaching and Formation Pastor. This team will craft job and organization descriptions, review resumes, assist with interviews, draft communications, and ultimately select candidates to recommend for the role.

The Search Team consists of:

Pastoral Advisory Team Representatives: Julie Olson, Kevin Frazell, Cory Ehlebracht
Pastoral Advisory Team HR Policy Liaison: Eva Rodelius Buer
Hiring Pastor: Jenna Daniels
Search Team Co-Chairs: Katherine Scipioni, Art Morrow

Congregational Participants:
Andrew Bittner,  Christina Efteland,  Christy Johnson
Danny Langseth,  Evie Peterson,  Katie Holmgren,
Katie McEachern,  Luke Abrahamson,  Micaela Elzea,
Michelle Rose Whalen,  Nate Carey,  Patrick Akpaette,  Vince Vaughan 

In January we expect to begin accepting applications for the role of Teaching and Formation Pastor at Awaken. The Search Team will review applications and find candidates to advance through the interview process. 

After completing the extensive application and interview process, the Search Team will put forth a recommendation to Partners at Awaken who will vote on whether or not to affirm the new Teaching and Formation Pastor. 

Over the summer, Micah will work with Jenna and the new Teaching and Formation Pastor to hand off responsibilities and officially transition out of his role as Lead Pastor at Awaken.