WATERFRONT RESCUE MISSION WELCOMES NEW LEADER
The Waterfront Rescue Mission in Fort Walton Beach welcomes new Executive Director to help guide Mission's future.
Fort Walton Beach, Fla. September 21, 2009 -The Waterfront Rescue Mission, a Christian non-profit that provides services to the homeless and those who suffer from substance abuse problems, recently added a new leader to their staff. Brian Ekedahl became the Executive Director for the Fort Walton Beach location of the Waterfront Rescue Mission in June of this year.
The Fort Walton Beach Mission opened in January of 1985 and has provided help to thousands of local men, women and children in need. "Brian's leadership over the Fort Walton Beach Mission is coming at the perfect time," said Mick Breault, president of the Waterfront Rescue Mission. "We need real, proactive leadership at all of our locations during these unstable economic times so Brian was a natural choice," Mick continued.
Brian has been a supporter of the Waterfront Rescue Mission over the years but was recently asked by Breault to take a tour of the Mission sites. "Although a staff position was hinted at, imagine my surprise when he asked if I would consider becoming the Executive Director of the Fort Walton Beach Mission later that week," Brian said. "I have always wanted to help other folks in some capacity, but this position seemed to be designed to incorporate my entire skill set from management and administrative, to public speaking and counseling. And above all, it lets me truly serve the Lord in a Christ-centered organization. What an opportunity!" Brian finished.
Brian was born in Rockford, Illinois and attended Northern Illinois University. Brian worked in a variety of positions before settling with ABF Freight Systems, Inc. and was transferred within the company to the Pensacola area in 1999 with his wife, Kimberly, and their son, Jason. After being employed by ABF for 25 years Brian retired in May of this year.
When asked about his plans for the Mission, Ekedahl responded by stating, "As I see it, our ultimate purpose is to introduce everyone who comes to the Mission to Jesus Christ, and we do that through providing meals, shelter, clothing, counseling, encouragement, a clean environment and the hospitality that comes only by way of a servant's heart. If I can help develop and refine the way these things are done at the Fort Walton Beach Mission, then that is my hope and my plan."