By Bill Webb
Word&Way Editor
When I have an opportunity to speak to a group about Word&Way, I usually say something like this: "I have the greatest job in the world because I get to meet the best people and tell the best stories." One of the great joys of being involved in a Christian vocation is that you also get to work with some of the finest, most committed people in the world. That brings me to the reason for this column. Word&Way has lost a fine employee and welcomed her successor.
Linda Baker held the position of assistant to the editor for the past five years, culminating a career of nearly 16 years with Word&Way. Linda announced her resignation to our staff a few months ago after her husband, Steve, accepted a promotion that required a move to another state. They have relocated to Oklahoma City.
Linda won the admiration and respect of our staff in various roles with our organization, beginning in circulation and the physically demanding responsibilities of our mailroom. When she started, we had a crew that labeled more than 50,000 copies of Word&Way each week, bagged them and prepared them for the post office.
Later, Linda took on the role of circulation coordinator, continuing a fine tradition of accuracy and diligence in recordkeeping, distinguishing herself for outstanding customer service.
In the role of assistant to the editor, Linda was one of our most visible staff members. For many of our callers, she was the first voice they would hear. She was the first person visitors to our office would see. Needless to say, she made more friends than she could count over the past 15-plus years.
Linda is a person of high principles, trustworthy, dedicated to Word&Way and loyal to our mission. She proofread almost every column I wrote during the past five years, and I valued every suggestion and question. She treated our staff and me with respect. We wish her well in her move.
God has been good to us at Word&Way. Each time we have lost an outstanding staff member, He has led us to someone well suited to take the baton. That brings me to our new assistant to the editor.
Sandy Stover, a member of First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, has been transitioning for a few weeks from her former job as an Edward Jones branch office administrator to her new position with us. This week is her first as a full-time Word&Way staffer.
Now Sandy's voice is one of the first you will hear when you call our office. You will find her to be professional, enthusiastic and customer-service oriented. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and was an honor graduate of both the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School and the Corps' communications officer training.
Sandy has been active in various prayer and Bible study ministries. She and her husband, Kevin, are the parents of five children, three of whom are still at home.
I hope many of our readers will have an opportunity to meet Sandy and wish her well in her challenging role with Word&Way. We're delighted that she has joined us.
