Pastoral Transition Roadmap

On October 12th, 2025, Pastor Micah shared his intention to begin transitioning out of his role as Lead Pastor at Awaken after 16 years. He makes this decision with the full support of the Staff Team and Pastoral Advisory Team. Since then, we have been hard at work preparing a transition plan to both help Pastor Micah leave well, and to begin the search for a Teaching and Formation Pastor to serve Awaken in the coming years.

 You can view the full roadmap of everything that has happened, and the upcoming work still to be done, below. Please note that we expect there to be updates and revisions to this roadmap as the work progresses. We hope this page serves as an easily accessible resource to stay up to date on all things transition related. If you have any questions about the transition process, please reach out to transition@awakencommunity.com.

Announcement

October 12th

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. 

Informational Meeting

October 21st

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. 

Congregational Meeting

November 2nd

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. 

Pastoral Transition Survey

November 2025

 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. 

Assemble the Search Team

November 2025

 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 Hubin,
Katie McEachern,  Luke Abrahamson,  Micaela Elzea,
Michelle Rose Whalen,  Nate Carey,  Patrick Akpaette,  Vince Vaughan 

Publish Church & Candidate Profile

January 2026

We have completed our Church & Candidate Profile that will be shared within our networks and with potential applicants. This profile is a comprehensive overview of our history and values as a community, along with our vision for the role of a Teaching & Formation Pastor. 

Open Applications

Late January 2026

We will begin accepting applications for the role of Teaching and Formation Pastor at Awaken soon! January is an optimal time in the year to engage with our networks and make connections with potential applicants looking for new opportunities in ministry. 

Applications & Initial Interview

Estimated February through May 2026

The Search Team will continue accepting and reviewing applications and begin initial interviews with eligible applicants. 

Pastor Jenna's Parental Leave

March through August 2026

Pastor Jenna will be out on parental leave beginning in March and ending on August 18th. During this time we will continue accepting applications and holding initial interviews, but we will wait to host final interviews and a candidacy vote until she returns. While Jenna is out, we are hiring Claire Kaehr, a therapist and PAT member for the last several years, in an interim role to support staff during Jenna's leave.

Candidacy and Vote

Estimated August through October 2026

We will complete final interviews of those in the application process, and then the Search Team will put forth a recommendation to Partners at Awaken who will vote on whether or not to affirm the new Teaching & Formation Pastor. 

Celebration for Pastor Micah

September 2026

September 27th will be Pastor Micah's last Sunday as Lead Pastor of Awaken. We will take the month of September to celebrate all he has given in building this community, and all that he means to those who have called Awaken home over the years. 

Interim Teachers

October through December 2026

Beginning in October, we will host interim teachers on Sunday mornings to speak to the community alongside Pastor Jenna's continued teaching. These teachers will fill the gap between Pastor Micah's departure, and the start of the new Teaching & Formation Pastor. 

New Pastor Installed

Estimated January 2027

We will officially welcome the new Teaching & Formation Pastor at Awaken!