From One Chapter to the Next

by: Adam Hofer and Steve Harrison

On September 9, we celebrated Brett Rockvam as he retired from Center of Hope after more than twenty years of faithful service. To thank him for his dedication, our staff and volunteers surprised him with a pizza party—a simple opportunity to celebrate his years of service and say goodbye as he begins a new chapter.

Although Brett stepped down as Executive Director of Center of Hope two and a half years ago, his impact on my life and ministry deserves to be recognized.

While I was a seminary student in the Kairos Project at Sioux Falls Seminary, now Kairos University, I was surrounded by a team of mentors: a faculty mentor, a ministry mentor, and a character mentor. Brett served as my ministry mentor, walking alongside me as I grew in ministry and learned what it meant to serve people responsibly.

Brett also gave me opportunities to spread my wings. He trusted me with different areas of ministry and allowed me to get my feet wet in multiple programs. Those experiences helped me grow as a leader, deepen my faith, and become more of the man God was calling me to be.

For all of this, I am grateful. In fact, we are all grateful for him. We are grateful for Brett's faithful service. We are grateful for his heart for those who are struggling. We are grateful for the investment he made in our lives and ministry. Enjoy your retirement—you have certainly earned it!

Meet our new Spiritual Counselor addition: Steve Harrison!

My name is Steve Harrison, originally from Rapid City. I am married to my lovely wife, Casey, and together we are grateful for the life God has given us and the opportunities He continues to place before us.

I have followed Jesus since the day He rescued me while I was incarcerated. What began in a place I never expected to encounter freedom became the beginning of a completely different life. During my sentence, I stayed very closely connected to the church. It was there that I was discipled, challenged, encouraged, and ultimately matured as a follower of Christ. I am incredibly grateful for the men and women who were willing to minister grace to me when I needed it most. Their investment in my life helped me understand that my past did not have to define my future.

Now, as I begin this new position, I find myself almost incredulous when I look back over the years and see how God was preparing me for this moment. Experiences I once considered nothing more than painful chapters of my story now look like

pieces of a much larger picture.

How did He know that one day I would have the opportunity to help set other captives free? How did He know that the places where I experienced brokenness would eventually become places from which I could encourage others? How did He know that my life, with all its failures, struggles, and redemption, would have usefulness in His kingdom?

I certainly did not know. But God did.

I am stepping into this new season with tremendous gratitude and humility. I know firsthand that freedom is possible, that God’s grace can reach us in the darkest places, and that God can take a life that seems beyond repair and give it purpose.

I am excited to see what He will do through this next chapter, and I am honored to be part of Center of Hope and its mission to bring hope, freedom, and restoration to others.