Arms of Hope’s president and CEO resigns as family cares for daughter with brain cancer

Kevin McDonald, president and CEO of Medina, Texas-based Arms of Hope, has resigned effective June 1.
McDonald and his wife, Nathalie, recently moved to Houston to care for their infant daughter Marlie Ruth, who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer, a press release noted.
Arms of Hope is featured in a front-page story in the latest print edition of The Christian Chronicle. A 2010 Chronicle feature highlighted “The Rookie” Jim Morris’ work with the ministry.
The full release on McDonald’s resignation:

MEDINA, TEXAS – With gratitude and appreciation, Arms of Hope’s Board of Directors announces a change in status for our President and Chief Executive Officer, Kevin McDonald. Effective June 1, 2012, McDonald will resign as President and Chief Executive Officer, a position he began in December of 2008. McDonald, with the Board’s support and encouragement, plans to return to his role as a member of Arms of Hope’s Board of Directors, a seat he held for six years prior to being named President and CEO.
Under McDonald’s leadership, Arms of Hope was formed through the consolidation of Medina Children’s Home (est. 1958) and Boles Children’s Home (est. 1924). Since the consolidation, Arms of Hope has added an urban application of its Together Program by opening a Duncanville Campus, and has developed Outreach Ministry efforts in the inner cities of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. The organization has experienced record growth through the addition of new programs to help socially disadvantaged children in some of the most economically distressed areas across Texas. In addition to the expansion of the services provided by Arms of Hope, McDonald led the organization as it overcame many obstacles and challenges associated with a leadership transition and various organizational transformations.
As many are aware, the McDonald’s have moved to Houston to find the best care for their baby girl who is undergoing treatment for brain cancer. After much prayer and counsel, McDonald reported to the board his belief that it was in the best interest of Arms of Hope and his family that he pass the torch to a new leader. McDonald will be returning to the Houston office of the international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. as a partner, the firm where he was employed for almost ten years at the beginning of his legal career.
“This has been a very difficult decision because I dearly love serving socially disadvantaged children through Arms of Hope,” states McDonald. “Our family’s significant change in personal circumstances and the fact that the initial goals we set for the organization upon my arrival have been accomplished has required me to take a careful look at the needs of my beautiful family and make an honest assessment of what is best for us.”
“It is remarkable to see the transformation Arms of Hope has experienced under Kevin’s leadership and his talent as CEO will be difficult to replace,” explains Jana Woelfel, Chairperson of the Arms of Hope Board of Directors. “Because of the positive improvement we have seen in the quality of our programs, ministry efforts, personnel and board membership during Kevin’s tenure, we are confident a smooth and seamless transition will occur. The Board is thankful for the contributions Kevin has made and we are pleased that he intends to continue to be involved as a board member.”
Arms of Hope’s Board will immediately begin a search to find a replacement for McDonald and is confident this position will attract highly qualified candidates with a passion for its mission of providing much needed assistance to socially disadvantaged children and families. During this transition, Arms of Hope is blessed with a very capable management team and has asked Troy Robertson, Chief Operations Officer, and Scott Stumbo, Chief Financial Officer, to team together to lead the organization until a new Chief Executive Officer is selected.
ABOUT ARMS OF HOPE:
Arms of Hope is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Christian organization that helps change the lives of socially disadvantaged children and families. For additional information about Arms of Hope and its program offerings, please visit ArmsofHope.org.

• Feedback
  Thanks for the example. May the Lord be praised for your continuous great work in Christ!

  bengchuan-tan

  May, 16 2012

  My heart is sad for the family but The Lord works in unusual ways to accomplish his will. I had 3 uncles & 2 aunts and my father all started out @ Boles home when it was new & in hard times. One uncle went on to major in ancient languages & wrote a book “The predictions of Daniel”. Most translated from the Bibical languages.

  Joyce Patrick

  May, 17 2012

  Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and prayers. For those wanting to follow our journey with Marlie Ruth, you can visit her Care Page at http://www.carepages.com/carepages/MarlieRuthMcDonald.

  Kevin McDonald

  May, 17 2012

  Today (Monday 5/21) is a very big day for Marlie Ruth and our family. This morning at 9 a.m. Marlie Ruth will report to Texas Children’s Hospital to receive an MRI scan of her brain to determine whether there is any sign of her brain tumor recurring. Despite that fact that undergoing an MRI every three months is a part of the cancer treatment routine, it is remains a struggle to give over to God all the worry and anxiety that accompany waiting for the results of this procedure. Nathalie and I have an appointment to meet with Dr. Bollo, Marlie Ruth’s neurosurgeon, at 3 p.m. to learn the results of the scan.
  We are so grateful for all the prayers and encouragement that we have received from each of you during this journey. Once again we ask for your prayers during this very significant day. Specifically, we request that you pray that –
  1. Marlie Ruth will receive a “CLEAN SCAN” and that she will continue down the path of healing and that she will soon be cancer free.
  2. God will provide Nathalie and me with the courage, strength, patience, peace, comfort and faith to accept whatever the next steps of this journey hold for our family.

  Kevin McDonald

  May, 21 2012

  My heart goes out Marlie Ruth and the parents. I m a parent, it hurts me really bad to even see any of my child fall sick. I know what you guys are going through but the good book of God said ‘no matter the circumstance or situation ,we should always give thanks to God, and we should also have a very strong faith.
  I stumbled into you all when I was looking for Boles Arm of hope from the internet. I ll be praying for you Marlie Ruth and also your parents.
  God bless
  Nora Okekeuche

  Norah okekeuche

  August, 4 2012