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The Rev’d Joel Hudson Honored by The Rev’d Nancy Yancey

I have the distinct honor this evening of acknowledging our founder and Chairman Emeritus, the Reverend Joel Hudson. Joel was the shepherd for so many of us at Christ Church. It was Joel who inspired the first donor of Rainbow House, Josh Costell, to honor the memory of his mother by starting a ministry for the homeless. Joel also inspired me to step way out of my own comfort zone and become the first director in 1993. While none of us knew what God was planning, we were led by Joel to have faith and trust that God would show us the way. His vision and leadership have been an inspiration to me as I worked alongside him to build Rainbow Village and to discern my own vocational call to ministry. I also celebrated my 13th year of ordination as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church this week. As I reflected on the joy of my ministry at Rainbow Village, I am so grateful to Joel for his love and belief in me that not only encouraged and empowered me, but, most importantly, allowed me to grow and become the person God created me to be. I pray that I have, in some small way, I have passed that on to every person that has come through our doors and called Rainbow Village home. Because I believe, that until we truly know ourselves, and who we are called to be, as God’s children, none of us is every truly home. So, with great love and affection, I would like to present this small token of appreciation to Joel on behalf of all of us who have found our way home at Rainbow Village.