The Connecting Grounds names interim executive director

Courtesy TheConnectingGrounds.com

Shine Lee is becoming interim executive director of The Connecting Grounds on Feb. 26.

A new interim executive director is slated to start leading The Connecting Grounds next week.

Shine Lee, a volunteer of the northwest Springfield church and homeless services organization, is scheduled to start in the interim leadership role on Feb. 26, according to a Facebook announcement this week by The Connecting Grounds.

Christie Love, who launched The Connecting Grounds in 2018, last month announced she would resign from her role as pastor, according to past reporting. At the time, Associate Pastor Rue Lohn was set to take over leadership of The Connecting Grounds, which operates at 4341 W. Chestnut Expressway. However, the latest Facebook post indicates Lohn would not take on the leadership role "due to personal reasons."

"Our longtime volunteer, Shine Lee, will be stepping in as our interim executive director to help support our amazing staff and oversee administration, communication and partnerships for TCG to ensure that everything feels smooth and consistent for those who depend on us for services and collaboration," the post reads. “We fully support Rue in this hard choice that they have had to make. Everyone at TCG loves Rue and wishes them the best.”