Dear Friends,
After five years of serving as CEO/Executive Director of this incredible organization, I leave Sandhills on August 14, 2026 with leadership lessons that could only have been learned in this role.
As Chief Executive Officer, my responsibility was to work alongside an exceptional team, in partnership with our Board of Directors to move the organization forward. During my time at Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge, that meant helping build and mentor a leadership team capable of leading the organization into a new chapter; one that honored our history while establishing an identity strong enough to thrive well into the future.
Leadership during my season also meant expanding the ways we serve those struggling with addiction by reaching women, and military personnel. Our vision was simple: to ensure Sandhills could become the answer to addiction for even more individuals and families in crisis. Over the past five years, that vision has taken root and will continue to grow under new leadership.
Of all the responsibilities entrusted to me, the greatest privilege has been raising up leaders. Nothing excited me more than watching men and women grow professionally. Wow! I firmly believe that leadership is about helping others discover and reach their God-given potential. It has been said throughout history that The true measure of a leader is not how many people follow them, but how many leaders they help raise up.
One of the greatest temptations in executive leadership is believing every decision must reflect your own preferences or methods. Thankfully, I was surrounded by wise people both on and off the team, who continually reminded me that leadership is not about control, but about stewardship.
My responsibility was to keep our mission and vision clearly before the team while empowering gifted leaders to lead. When someone presented an idea that aligned with our mission, my role was to come alongside them, remove obstacles where possible, and help position them for success. Budgets mattered. Timing mattered. The Board’s guidance mattered. But within those guardrails, we worked together to pursue meaningful opportunities and move the organization forward. It didn’t have to be my idea to be a good idea. Healthy organizations flourish when trusted leaders are given the freedom to lead with ownership, creativity, and accountability.
As I close this chapter, I am deeply grateful to pass the leadership of Sandhills ATC to a 2008 graduate and faithful servant who has invested many years of hard work into this organization. Brian Decker has faithfully served in numerous leadership roles and possesses both visionary leadership and thoughtful strategic insight. Every leader brings a unique style, and those differences often become catalysts for fresh growth and renewed strength. Sandhills ATC is ready!
My prayer for the new CEO, who has also become a treasured friend, is that he will lead with courage, wisdom, humility, and unwavering faith. May he faithfully preserve the best of our history while cultivating a culture that future generations will be honored to inherit.
Leadership positions are temporary. We are entrusted with an organization for a season, and our responsibility is to leave it healthier, stronger, and better prepared for the future than when it was first placed in our care. I can only hope I’ve done so as I eagerly and gratefully pass the baton to Brian.
As I soon step into a new season of ministry with Global Teen Challenge, I do so full of gratitude for the privilege of serving Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge. Looking back, it will never be the new buildings, campuses, programs, fundraising, or the organizational milestones our team accomplished (together) that I will treasure most—it will be the people I served alongside. Serving this remarkable team has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and I will forever celebrate what God has accomplished through each of them.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving this beautiful community. I leave with great confidence in what lies ahead, and the unwavering belief that the best days of Sandhills Adult & Teen Challenge are still to come.
Sincerely,
Russ Cambria (Jen & Claire)
