Phyllis Duchinski, Director of the Augusta Road Baptist Church Weekday Preschool Ministry, will retire from her position at the end of this year, bringing her tenure of 29 years serving both as a classroom teacher and as director to a close.
Phyllis began her work with ARBC in 1989 as a worker in the ARBC After School Ministry. She soon transitioned to the ARBC Weekday Preschool Ministry, serving in the 5-year class at the time. Since joining the preschool staff she has served in almost every classroom, sharing her love of children and living out her desire to see them develop into young people prepared to enter elementary school. During her tenure, over 500 students have progressed through the preschool. In every position she has held, she has worked to ensure that all children and families served by the ARBC Weekday Preschool Ministry have a clear understanding that they are created and loved by God.
In 2012 she was approached by the ARBC Personnel Team and asked to move from the classroom to the director’s office. For the past six years she has led with integrity and a passion for fulfilling the preschool’s mission to serve Greenville’s children and their families with the love of Christ. She has worked to ensure that one of ARBC’s most important ministries and connections to the community has continued to thrive.
While she is excited about a new chapter in her life, it is hard for Phyllis to imagine not being part of the ARBC Weekday Preschool Ministry. She says she will miss everything about the organization she has served for most of her professional life. “I will miss the interaction I am able to have every day with the children, parents, and staff the most,” Phyllis said. “I am always excited to see the children’s faces when they come to my office to get candy each afternoon. I get to hear about their days and how things are going at home. I have enjoyed supporting the parents who have come with concerns about things their children are going through. I want to offer the advice that I can, but I always want to ensure them that they are doing a great job and will be fine.”
“I have loved each one of them and my time in this job. I am grateful to everyone I have been able to work with, and to all the children and parents who have trusted me with their care. It feels like the right time for a change, and I look forward to retirement. I am not one to just sit around, so I look forward to finding new opportunities for volunteering and service,” Phyllis said.
“I have been immensely grateful for the spirit of servant leadership with which Phyllis has carried out her work in the role of ARBC Weekday Preschool Ministry Director,” said Matt King, Senior Pastor of Augusta Road Baptist Church. “I have had the chance to see her creativity, her concern for her staff, and her diligence to her calling in working with her each day. As a preschool parent, I have seen her passion for caring for and teaching our children with the love of Christ. It puts you at ease to know that your child is in such capable hands.”
“Phyllis leaves behind a wonderful legacy and foundation of leadership that we will seek to build upon in the future,” Matt said. “It is hard to imagine the ARBC Weekday Preschool Ministry without her. We will carry the spirit with which she has led the preschool into the future, while continuing to innovate to meet the needs of the children and families we serve both now and in the years to come.”
Phyllis’ last day as director will be December 31. A search team has been convened to find the next person to lead the ARBC Weekday Preschool Ministry. The team will be led by Rev. Matt King (Senior Pastor and preschool parent), and will include Rev. Bridget Kokolis (ARBC Minister to Families), Lou Nell Eady and Judy Whitson (members of ARBC’s Personnel Team), Jared Sang (ARBC congregation and preschool parent), Tracy Ramseur (preschool parent), and Bartley Sides (preschool parent).
The ARBC Weekday Preschool Ministry Director Search Team will soon be reaching out to preschool families and staff to obtain input on what qualities are needed in the next person to serve as director. They will take the feedback they receive and craft a candidate profile to ensure they are able to attract the most qualified candidates for the position. They will then hold interviews with the candidates who best fit the needs of the preschool families and staff. When the right candidate is found, they will work to ensure a seamless transition as Phyllis hands responsibilities over to her successor.
Questions about this transition may be sent to Rev. King, or “Pastor Matt” as he is known by the preschool children (mking@arbc.com). Regular updates on the progress of the search process will be made available to the preschool families and the ARBC congregation. Your prayers for the search team and the continued ministry of the ARBC Weekday Preschool Ministry are truly appreciated.