A Tribute to Sage

This month concludes a marvelous 7 ½ year working relationship with my dear friend and trusted colleague, Mrs. Sage Paik. For the bulk of LTi’s formative years, she’s been faithfully by my side as Executive Assistant and Graphic Designer, as well as Program Coordinator for the Pierce Center at Gordon-Conwell (location of the LTi main office). She’s worn every hat we’ve tossed her way, and she’s completed every responsibility with effervescent Christian graces and a uniquely classy style. Sage is one of a kind and she’ll be sorely missed by all of us, especially yours truly.

I initially met Sage when she was the first of 8 candidates I interviewed in one day for the position she has held ever since. I knew there was something special about this woman of God the moment I met her. She set the bar high and none of the other candidates that day came close to her combination of skills, heart and attitude. She has brought nothing but pure joy to our office ever since. Her love for God and his people, her commitment to the Word and prayer, her tender sensitivities, godly integrity, and fabulous sense of humor set her above the norm and she’s always a leader among her peers.

She waited patiently for her prince charming to arrive and two years ago became the wife of Young Paik, her knight in shining armor. I had the distinct honor of preparing them for marriage and presiding over their wedding ceremony. It’s been a joy for Ruth and I to get to know them as couples, delighting in the love they share for one another. Theirs is a marriage worth emulating, their home a welcome place to weary travelers and servants of Christ, their heart hospitality always a healing balm for the soul.

As we bless and send off Sage into this new season of life and service, we do so with profound gratitude for her loving and faithful encouragement. Her role in our lives and on our team has left an indellible impression, never to be erased or replaced by others…only to be supplemented and enhanced as we build on her legacy of grace.

We all love you, Sage, and will miss your bright smile and contagious presence in our lives. Let’s be sure to stay in touch and remain in close contact in the future. We wish you God’s abiding peace and joy as you move in to new places of love and service in Jesus’ name. We thank our God upon every remembrance of YOU!

SHARE THIS POST

Can't find what you're looking for?

Steve Macchia

Founder & President

Steve is a graduate of Northwestern College (IA) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div. and D.Min.). His prior ministry includes serving on the pastoral staff at Grace Chapel (Lexington, MA) and as president of Vision New England. Since July 1, 2003 Steve has served as founder and president of Leadership Transformations, director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building, and adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Ministry department at Gordon-Conwell. He is the author of sixteen books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective),  Baker bestseller Becoming a Healthy Church, and Crafting a Rule of Life (IVP). He lives in the Boston area with his wife Ruth and is the proud father of two grown children, Rebekah and Nathan, daughter in-love Ashley, and papa to his beloved granddaughter, Brenna Lynn and twin grandsons, Aiden Joseph and Carson Stephen. “My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.

Detailed Biography
Articles by Stephen Macchia
Author Website
Schedule a one-on-one with Steve

Fill out my online form.

Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty

Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.

Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.

God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.

Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.