This year on June 13th, First Coast Women’s Services will celebrate 30 years of serving clients. We know that God has grown this ministry since the beginning and has had His hand on it. We have served over 37,000 women in our community, with over 12,000 babies saved.
1 Corinthians 3:10 says, “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
Judy Weber, CEO of First Coast Women’s Services, has been with us for almost 17 years and has left a legacy and imprint on the ministry. We are so thankful for her obedience to be used by God; as this ministry has flourished under her leadership. In 2007, when Judy arrived, there were two centers, Mandarin and the Beach, and we were working on a third in Baker County. Since then, we have grown from two to six centers (Mandarin, Kernan, Northside, Baker, Clay and St. Augustine) and a Call Center. FCWS has moved from saving hundreds of babies per year from abortion, to recently at least 1,000 babies per year. These centers are the result of a vision and a desire to build for Kingdom principles rather than self.
Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice”.
Judy’s presence, being a Godly leader who listens to God’s leading, provided a time of flourishing and has allowed for a Legacy of Life to be built in Baker, Clay, Duval and St. Johns Counties.
In 2 Chronicles 20:12, Josephat prays, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
If you have spent any time around Judy, you know that this is the type of mantra she has. Every step, every move she makes for FCWS is dependent on the Lord and we, as a Board of Directors, are so thankful for this type of leadership through the years.
We all desire to leave a legacy that will outlast us. I am writing this letter to honor a wonderful Legacy Builder for FCWS and to communicate an important transition in the ministry. It is Judy’s desire to retire at the end of 2024 after the Annual Life Banquet, which will celebrate 30 years of flourishing ministry. We can all agree that she has left a huge legacy which will remain and continue to ripple through generations in the lives and generational lines that will be here because of the ministry done through FCWS.
After much prayer, discussion, and a thorough succession planning process that has lasted 2 years, the Board of Directors voted for Judy’s successor. We are pleased to announce that Jennifer Pace, currently Development Director, will have a year of transition throughout 2024 and will assume the role of CEO of FCWS in January 2025. At that time in 2025, Judy Weber will become a voting Board Member of FCWS, as is desired and requested by Jennifer and the Board.
Jen Pace has been in this field for over 17 years. She has a B.A. in Theology and an M.S. in Human Services. She started at FCWS in 2019 as a volunteer at the Clay Center. That same year, she was hired as the Center Director for the new Northside Center. Upon its opening and after a few years, she was promoted to Development Director. Jennifer has the heart, vision, experience, and full support of the Board of Directors needed to take this new role and is fully depending on God to give her the wisdom and guidance she needs.
The year of 2024 will be a year of transition; do be in prayer for the ministry during this transition season. Judy will continue to be the CEO of FCWS for the entirety of 2024. During that time, Jen Pace will be shadowing Judy and will be searching for and training her own replacement as the Development Director.
“Everything we do produces a seed and leaves something for future generations. People may not hear your words, but they are going to observe your life. We paint a picture with our lifestyles, and our children put their own frame around it.”
-Vickie Pappas, Blessings along the way
Judy, thank you for painting a beautiful picture for those behind you to follow.
If you have any questions at all, please reach out via text, email or call. Judy will be happy to answer any questions.
Sincerely,
Board Chair, Ken Atlee