LILLY Franks, manager of MES Kempton Park for the past 18 months, is moving to Cape Town to take up the position as manager at the Cape Town branch of the organisation.
Franks has been part of the Metro Evangelical Services (MES) Kempton Park journey since the opening of their branch. Gert Lotz, the previous branch manager, had laid a good and solid foundation before she stepped in as manager in September 2014.
Franks has been appointed as the successor to Ilse Els, who has resigned.
MES CEO Alan Child, said: “We are grateful to both managers for their inspirational service through the years. We are privileged to have staff with such dedication, experience and passion for the work of MES.
”We appreciate the great impact that Lilly has made at MES Kempton Park in developing her staff, growing the branch and serving all the clients. “On a journey like this there is always the possibility of building deep friendships, as staff and volunteers, clients and donors increasingly get involved in the well-being of one another’s lives. When a key member of the team then has the opportunity to further develop their career and abilities elsewhere, it is bitter-sweet.
“‘Losing’ Franks to Cape Town leaves her branch somewhat saddened. We trust that her friends and network will also be willing to ‘sow’ her with all her experience and abilities into the larger family of MES, to the benefit of Cape Town, with all the challenges and opportunities that Cape Town is facing.”
Franks said: “It has been a big privilege to serve the Kempton Park community through the work I have done at MES. It has been wonderful to personally be part of lives that have been changed and to see how members of the community have come together to care for others in need.
“May the Kempton community stand together and continue to pray for the healing of the city and the strengthening of everyone in it. I have witnessed a lot of positive changes in this city and I can assure you that the Lord is at work here. May the city arise and shine.”
There have been many highlights in the more than six years she has been with MES, with the most recent highlight being the organisation’s 30th birthday, on June 1.
“It is hard to describe all the feelings and emotions that we felt during this time, but the one that stands out for me, personally, is a deep feeling of gratitude,” Franks says.
”It has been a humbling and joyous experience to reflect back on the past 30 years of the MES journey.
“There have certainly been challenging times, but the good times and positive change in people’s lives far outweigh these challenges.
“I look forward to the new challenge in Cape Town, but it is not at all easy to say good-bye to my staff and everyone who is involved at MES Kempton Park.
”Each one of you have definitely touched my life in an extraordinary way. I would like to thank each donor, volunteer and staff member I have worked with. I have learned a lot from you and it has been a great honour and privilege to have served the Kempton community alongside you.
“I have certainly not managed to do anything in my own understanding, so I also need to thank our Heavenly Father for being beside me during my time at MES Kempton. He has changed my heart in so many ways and I cannot leave without giving Him all the glory.
I realise there might be some fear or perhaps anxiety for what the future holds for MES Kempton Park, but I can personally testify of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness since the opening of our branch.
“It is, thus, with peace in my heart that I can leave, as I know His hand has always been over the work being done in Kempton. I trust that He has already prepared the next manager who will lead, and I am sure that this person will take this amazing branch of MES to the next level.”
The new manager will be announced in due course.
