Photo by Dave Sherwin
The Board of Directors for Christian Record Services for the Blind has announced the appointment of Diane Thurber as the new president of the organization. Thurber will follow Larry Pitcher, who is retiring October 1 after serving as Christian Record’s president for nearly 21 years.
During his term as president, Pitcher guided the organization out of substantial debt and helped innovate new programs and services, such as the inSight4Vets initiative for blinded veterans and modernization of the Christian Record audio lending library. Prior to his time with Christian Record, Pitcher served as the senior pastor of the Wichita South Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wichita, Kansas.
Thurber will be transitioning from her roles as women’s ministries director and associate communication director with the Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, where she has served since 2004. Prior to Thurber’s appointment at the Lake Union, she served as communication director of the Indiana and Northern New England conferences. Additional ministry experience includes serving as associate director of family ministries in the Michigan Conference. Thurber also served as leader of the Shepherdess and Ministerial Spouses Association organizations in the Northern New England, Indiana, and Rocky Mountain conferences. She will be joining husband, Gary Thurber, recently-elected president of the Mid-America Union, as they make their new home in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Thurbers have two adult sons: Ryan and Justin. Ryan is married to Baylie née Thompson. He is an attorney at Polsinelli in Denver, Colorado, and Baylie is an Intensive Care nurse at Littleton Hospital in Colorado. Justin is a senior at Andrews University, majoring in biology.
“It is an honor to partner with God and the many Christian Record employees, volunteers, and donors who have dedicated their lives and resources to people who are blind or visually impaired,” said Thurber. “I am excited to learn more about this indispensable ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that touches more than 20,000 individuals each year. Many lives have been and are being changed each day, and I believe there continues to be a tremendous opportunity to introduce and lead these individuals to Jesus, the Healer. I also pray the Lord will open my eyes to see His plans to guide this ministry until He returns,” she said.
“I am very pleased with the vote of the CRSB board to elect Diane Thurber as the new president,” said Daniel R. Jackson, North American Division president and CRSB board chair. “I believe that Diane will bring a new perspective and energy to the organization and that God’s mission for the blind will move ahead in a significant way,” he said.
For more than 115 years, Christian Record Services for the Blind has offered free programs and services to all who are blind or visually impaired. Funding for services is provided by the generous donations from individuals and businesses. Connect with Christian Record on Facebook, Twitter, or at www.CRSB.org.
