Jackie Hansen is retiring this weekend after more than two decades on the FPC staff. In those years, Jackie has made an impact on the lives of staff and members, simply by being herself.
Pastor Zac
“Jackie takes whatever role she is in as a calling from the Lord. You can tell she loves Jesus and loves the people she interacts with. She’s taught me so much about allowing for godly interruptions and showing compassion in the face of stress. It is common to see her praying with someone, counseling someone, or encouraging someone who needs it. In a lot of ways, she has provided deep pastoral care from her admin office. We are going to miss her!”
Tami Trent
“Jackie is always willing to give a hug or stop and pray with anyone. The story I remember is when Robert was sick. I had returned to work, and he was still in rehab in Tampa, still suffering from the loss of memory and the effects of encephalitis. I was on the main hallway between the north and south sides on the verge of tears and Jackie stopped and asked how I was and how was Robert. I lost it and she pulled me into room D and sat and prayed with me, hugged me, reminded me how amazing God was and had been in our lives, and how He is always with us. In that moment she was such a comfort in my storm, and I will never forget the way she got me through that day. Truly God sent in that moment for me.”
Jerre Wilson
“During my career that spanned almost five decades, I have hired lots of people, but never had I made a better selection than Jackie Hansen. When Jackie came on board, I could see immediately that she would be able to do anything that needed to be done. And the best part was the way she went about it. She has such a gentle, pleasant way about everything she does. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love to work with Jackie. She will be greatly missed and virtually impossible to replace.”
Dr. Paul Suich
“If there is one key attribute that describes Jackie’s tenure at FPC, it would be ‘discipleship.’ A disciple is a life-long learner. I met Jackie in the first years of working at FPC as Parish Counselor. She was volunteering at the front desk, answering phones and helping people get connected to who or what they were looking for. She was all about connecting to people and helping others find connections. She took my parenting and boundaries class and then gathered other people to talk about what she was reading. If I gave a devotion, she would talk about the impact of the passage. She has worked very hard over the course of the last 25 years to be the best disciple she can be.
In the tv series, ‘MASH,’ Corporal O’Reilly kept the battalion running. He knew where everything was, and he anticipated what others wanted before they wanted it. I believe that Jackie is our Radar O’Reilly. She will be SORELY missed.”
Richard Phillips
“Jackie has been invaluable to me as a ‘newbie’ with her wealth of information and history of church members. More than that, she has been an example of faith and an inspiration during Ken’s battle with cancer.”
Jo Ahearn
“I am so grateful for my friendship with Jackie over the years here at FPC. I am going to miss her holding me accountable in my faith journey, how she is always interruptible, sharing tears and always knowing how to fix it.”
Sandie McRory
“Jackie’s impact, let me count the ways (actually, there are too many to count, but here are a few):
- Welcoming to all – Wonderful calming voice and sweet spirit, whether the person is known or unknown, Jackie shows God’s love.
- Helpful to all – Can answer so many questions about so many things at FPC
- Organized – She has a file for every event and knows where it is and what is needed when and where, and she keeps her office available for us to find things, like dry erase markers on a Saturday morning
- Knowledge – Of so much and the many possibilities of what someone needs or is looking for, where it may be, what it may be, what else may work.
- Supportive – Of fellow staff, members, visitors, those in need, facility users, and so many youth group members through the years.
- Listener – Just drop by her office to talk or cry or laugh. She takes her time with love, understanding, empathy, sympathy, and patience.
- Prayer Warrior – She prays for us and appreciates prayers from us, too.
- A lot behind the scenes – Things that we take for granted. She has been here at all sorts of hours to make sure there are flowers at the Columbarium, that the air conditioning is working, candles are lit, decorations look beautiful, things are available, and on and on.”
Pastor John
“People don’t realize how much care is provided in that office.”
Jackie Hansen
“It’s been a privilege.”