Board of Directors
Dr. Maxie D. Dunnam
Honorary Co-chairman
Dr. Maxie D. Dunnam was born in Deemer, Mississippi. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in 1955. Dr. Dunnam continued his education earning a Master of Theology from Emory University in 1958. He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1977.
Dr. Maxie Dunnam was organizing pastor of three United Methodist churches: Aldersgate United Methodist in Georgia, Trinity United Methodist in Mississippi, and St. Andrews-by-the-Sea United Methodist in California. He served the West Anaheim United Methodist Church in the Southern California/Arizona Conference. For twelve years Dr. Dunnam was Senior Minister of Christ United Methodist Church, which grew from 2,000 to almost 6,000 members during his ministry.
Dr. Dunnam was the World Editor of the Upper Room when The Upper Room Cursillo was established. It was through Dr. Dunnam’s leadership that the Rev. Robert Wood was brought to the staff of The Upper Room to direct the Cursillo/Emmaus Movement. Along with Rev. Wood and a small group, the Cursillo was given a Protestant expression, The Walk to Emmaus. Dr. Dunnam participated in shaping it with a unique Methodist flavor.
Currently, Dr. Dunnam is Chancellor of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Dr. Dunnam is a highly published author with many books and workbooks to his name. He has also published a video/study program called "Bible Study for Christian Living." He has received a variety of awards and special honors including the following:
In October 1989, Dr. Dunnam was inducted into Evangelism’s "Hall of Fame" by the Foundation for Evangelism as one of Forty Distinguished Evangelists of the Methodist world.
In 1991 he received the World Methodist Council Chair of Honor.
Dr. Dunnam received The Philip Award for Distinguished Service in Evangelism, presented by the National Association of United Methodist Evangelists in 1993.
Dr. Maxie Dunnam is a past President of the World Methodist Council and chairman of World Evangelism of the World Methodist Council. He is also the chairman of the Committee for the World Methodist Evangelism Institute. He is a member of the University Senate of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Theological Schools.
Dr. Thomas Clark Oden
Honorary Co-chairman
Dr. Thomas Clark Oden was born on October 21, 1931 in Altus, Oklahoma. He attended the University of Oklahoma and graduated cum laude in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts. In 1956, he graduated magna cum laude from Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology, with a Bachelor of Divinity. He received a Master of Arts from Yale University in 1958, as well as a Ph.D. from Yale in 1960. Dr. Oden also holds a Doctor of Literature from Asbury College.
Dr. Oden has taught at Yale University, SMU’s Perkins School of Theology, The Graduate Seminary of Phillips University, Ruprecht-Karl Universitaet in Heidelberg, Germany, Ecumenical Institute in Bossey, Switzerland, Texas Med. School’s Institute of Religion, Drew University, Princeton Theological Seminary, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, School of Theology at Claremont, Moscow State University, Gregorian University, Rome, and General Theological Seminary, in New York. Dr. Tom Oden is currently Henry Anson Buttz Professor of Theology and Ethics at The Theological School and The Graduate School, Drew University.
Dr. Oden is a highly published author. He has hosted a variety of Cable TV shows and has been interviewed by the Today Show and Good Morning America. Dr. Oden has served as the Senior Editor for Christianity Today and staffed the Editorial Boards of the following publications: Journal of Pastoral Care, Journal of Christian Counseling, Zondervan, Academic Books, and Pro. Ecclesia.
Dr. Tom Oden has been presented with numerous honors, awards, and fellowships.
Phi Beta Kappa, 1953
Senior Scholar Award, University of Oklahoma, 1953 (Pe-et)
Moore Fellow, S.M.U., 1956
Kent Fellow, 1957
Society for Values in Higher Education Danforth Cross-Disciplinary Fellow, 1966-67
American Association of Theological Schools, Faculty Fellow, 1976-76
Arthur Vining Davis Fellowship, National Endowment for the Humanities, Summer, 1983
Association of Theological Schools, Lilly Foundation Fellowship, 1983-84 Basic Issues Research Group
Center Associate Scholar, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington, D.C., 1986-90
Christianity Today Institute, Carol Stream, IL, CTI Associate Scholar, 1989-91
Dr. Oden has participated in many ecumenical activities and political services. He has worked with many professional organizations including: Society for Values in Higher Education, American Theological Society, Phi Beta Kappa, American Academy of Religion, American Association of Pastoral Counselors, Editorial Advisor, Journal of Pastoral Care, Society for Pastoral Theology, and Clinical Theology Association.
Dr. Oden was married on August 10, 1952 to Edrita Pokorny. They have three children: Thomas Clark born in 1956, Edward Kent born in 1961, and Laura Elise born in 1963.
Rev. Gregory McGarvey
Gregory McGarvey is the Senior Pastor of Carmel United Methodist Church, Carmel, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis. He has served there since 2001.
Greg is a 1972 graduate of DePauw University and a 1976 graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary.
Spending his entire 35 year ministry in Indiana, Greg has served small rural churches, an associate in a downtown-countryseat church, a small town church, and 3 urban/suburban churches. From 1983-88, Greg was New Albany District Superintendent.
He served the Annual Conference as chairperson of the Administrative Council, as a member of the South Indiana Conference Executive Committee, and has been a 6-time delegate to General Conference. Greg was a member of the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits and part of the international steering committee for The Central Conference Pension Inititiative that raised $22 million to endow pensions for retirees in Africa..
Greg was married to Peggy Ann Drake on July 20, 1974. Peggy and Greg have two sons: Christopher and Joshua.
Greg and Peggy have traveled extensively in mission in India, Nepal, Indonesia, People's Republic of China, Korea, Japan, and Haiti. Greg’s hobbies include planning exciting family vacations, sailing, and tennis.
Rev. Larry Baird
President
Larry will be the Senior Pastor of Trinity Grand Island United Methodist Church in Grand Island, NY beginning July 1, 2011. For the past eight years he has been the Cornerstone District Superintendent in the Western New York Conference, serving on Bishop Marcus Matthews cabinet.
He was ordained Deacon in 1972 and Elder in 1976. He received his B.A. from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in 1971, and the M.Div. from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in 1974.
During his over thirty years in ministry, he has served as registrar for the Board of Ordained Ministry, director of continuing effectiveness, chair of the conference church growth and evangelism committee, and as chair of the conference committee on camps and conferences. Within the general church, he currently serves on the General Board of Discipleship, Curriculum Review Committee, New Church Starts, and Ethnic Minority Local Church Committee. He is also a member of the Northeast Jurisdiction Episcopacy Committee.
He is married to Brenda Kephart Baird. They have two adult sons.
Rev. Ryan Barnett
Rev. Ryan Barnett is a proud 7th generation Texan. After graduating from Friendswood High School in his hometown of Friendswood, Texas, Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. While in school, Ryan worked on a number of political staffs before discerning his calling in ministry. Through the gracious work of the Holy Spirit, he began to understand that true justice and mercy will only be made manifest where the presence of Christ abides.
Discerning a call to ministry, Ryan attended Asbury Theological Seminary, where he served as President of the Student Body and student representative to the Board of Trustees. Following his graduation in 2004, he was appointed to University United Methodist Church in San Antonio. He served “The U” for seven years, growing the church dramatically, receiving over 500 members through first time profession of faith.
In June 2011, Ryan was appointed to serve as the 15th Senior Minister of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Ryan is married to Kim Brooks Barnett of McAllen, Texas. The Barnetts have two dogs: Lexi, a black lab/blue heeler mix and; Latimer, a Great Dane.
Ryan is a frequent guest preacher – particularly investing his time sharing the Gospel with young people. Ryan is the current chairman of the Conference Council on Youth Ministry for the Southwest Texas Conference, a member of the Conference Nominations Committee, and the Annual Conference Council on Ministry.
“I am humbled to be a part of the Confessing Movement’s long tradition of celebrating the unique role and person of Jesus Christ. My prayer is that the United Methodist Church will focus herself on holding Christ in the center of our fellowship and by the power of his Holy Spirit be the spotless bride God intends – prepared to greet our Lord on the day of his coming.” – Rev. Ryan Barnett
Judy Graham
First Vice-President
Judy Graham is a dynamic and gifted speaker and teacher who enthusiastically shares the message of victorious living through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an intimate knowledge of His word. In sharing her message of salvation and victorious living at meetings and retreats all over the country, Judy has helped many women to understand the power available to them through the Holy Spirit.
Raised in a small town in Oklahoma , Judy’s values were established early on by loving, Christian parents. One of Judy’s great joys as a child was playing the old pipe organ at First Methodist Church in her hometown of Pawnee. Judy later attended and graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater , Oklahoma .
After teaching high school in Bartlesville , Oklahoma , Judy moved to Houston . It was there that she met and married her husband Geren Graham. Together they came to trust the Lord in every aspect of their lives: their marriage, their finances, their health, and the business they started and build together. Judy remains a director in the business with her husband.
Judy is also a co-founder and President of Celebration Women’s Ministry, Inc., a woman to woman ministry in the Texas Annual Conference. She has served as a officer and board member of several interdenominational Christian women’s organizations, as well as two terms as President of the President’s Advisors Guild of Houston Baptist University. Judy is also an active member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church .
Judy is an avid golfer, gardener and oil painter. You will be blessed as Judy shares her faith and insight into God's word.
David D. Jenkins
Secretary
Dave Jenkins, the son of a pioneering family from Ellis County, Oklahoma, is the current pastor of the Mannford, Oklahoma First United Methodist Church, located on Lake Keystone twenty five miles west of downtown Tulsa. He was ordained elder in 1995, and is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, with an Master of Divinity Degree. David is a current member of Board of Ordained Ministry in the Oklahoma Annual Conference.
David also holds the Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Sciences (’79) and the Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education (’83) from Oklahoma State University. Before the pastoral ministry, he served as Assistant Director of Student Services in the OSU Division of Agriculture, and was the Market Development Director of the Oklahoma Beef Council in Oklahoma City.
David’s ancestors came to Oklahoma & Indian Territories from Kentucky, Iowa, and Kansas. The Jenkins family in particular came to New York from Wales in the late 1700’s, and then to Kentucky in the early 1800’s, finally making the famous Oklahoma Land Run in 1893. His great-grandmother, Mary Emma Jenkins, experienced the saving grace of God with faithful Methodists in St. Louis, Missouri, during the 1880’s. Later in Oklahoma, she answered the call to pastoral ministry in 1921 and served passionately as a Methodist pastor in the West Oklahoma Conference for 45 years. In 1941, “Sister Emma” became the first woman ordained deacon in her conference.
David grew up on a ranch near Higgins, Texas, where his family is still today in the beef-production business. They have been for many years faithful members of the United Methodist Church, and it was through the many vibrant ministries and faithful Spirit-filled Christian people there that David’s life was first touched by the grace of God. The ministry of the Lay Witness Movement had a special impact upon him and his family.
David met Cindy Key through their common love of the violin. Cindy was on violin scholarship with the symphony at Oklahoma City University, and while David was a “fiddle-player” performing western swing music in bands across a five-state region. Today they continue their love of playing music for the glory of the Lord and in various family venues. Their family today includes son Will who is sixteen, and daughter Sarah who is twelve, both of whom are budding musicians as well. Cindy has been teaching violin for more than a decade, and David continues to sing and play violin, mandolin, and guitar in the life of the church and throughout the community.
While serving in the agriculture industry in public relations and marketing, David became a part of the ministry at the historic First United Methodist Church in downtown Oklahoma City. It was there, nurtured by the influence of the Walk to Emmaus, that David and Cindy experienced God’s call into the pastoral ministry. Together, they have served the Lord in very diverse ministry settings: on staff at 1st UMC downtown Oklahoma City; Gunn’s Chapel UMC in rural Garrard County Kentucky; St. Andrew’s UMC in suburban Claremore, Oklahoma; rural central western Oklahoma, in the communities of Leedey and Hammon; Mannford on Lake Keystone near Tulsa; and now Davis in the Arbuckle Mountains of south central Oklahoma on I-35.
David was in the founding leadership of the Confessing Movement in Oklahoma in 1996. He served on the UM Decision teams at the General Conferences of 2000 (Cleveland, OH), 2004 (Pittsburgh, PA), 2008 (Ft. Worth, TX), and 2012 in Tampa, FL. He is honored to be serving on the National Board of Directors of the Confessing Movement Within the United Methodist Church.
Joe Kilpatrick
Assistant Treasurer
Joe is a certified public accountant, self-employed, specializing in tax preparation for individuals and audits for small business and non-profit organizations. Joe does a substantial number of peer reviews for other firms of CPAs. He also co-founded Eldercare Connections, LLC a business providing case management and social services for senior citizens. His office is in the Chamblee-Dunwoody area of Atlanta , off I-285.
A management graduate of Georgia Tech, Joe also completed an MBA degree in night school at Georgia State . He is a resident of Tucker, Georgia.
An active layman in the United Methodist Church , North Georgia ’s laity elected him five times to serve on that denominations international legislative body, the General Conference.
Joe serves on the Board of Trustees of Asbury Theological Seminary, an interdenominational seminary with a Wesleyan heritage and about 1,000 students. It is located in Wilmore , Kentucky and Orlando , Florida with a virtual campus also.
Vitally interested in the renewal and growth of The United Methodist Church, Joe has actively supported The Confessing Movement within The United Methodist Church as a means of ensuring theology that is faithful to historic doctrinal standards. He serves as the secretary of the Board of Directors.
Joe completed a 12-year term on the Board of Directors of The United Methodist Publishing House. He chaired the finance committee and served the investment and audit committee of this $120 million enterprise.
He served two four year terms as president of United Methodist Men for the North Georgia Conference, one of the denomination’s most active men’s organizations. He received a life membership in that organization.
Joe has been a member of Tucker First UMC for about 30 years. He is a member of the Open Door Sunday School class.
Joe has two sons, and six grandchildren. His wife for 44 years, Carole, is school secretary at Fernbank Elementary School in DeKalb County , Georgia .
Turner Arant
Mr. Turner Arant was born in Blaine, Mississippi, on August 17, 1934. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. Turner is married to the former Sybil Kirk. They have one son, Andy, two daughters, Carol and Kathryn Anne, and five grandchildren.
Turner's family has been active in farming in the Mississippi Delta since the early 1930's growing cotton, rice, soybeans, and wheat. In 1962 he was one of the first to begin the production of catfish in the Mississippi Delta. In 1982 he received the Farmer of the Year Award from the Catfish Farmers of America. He received the Mississippi State University Agribusiness Award in production agriculture. In 1987 he was recognized as Mississippi Farmer of the Year awarded by Mississippi Department of Agriculture and sponsored by Mississippi Satellite Network. He was recognized by Mississippi State University as Alumnus of the Year for Agriculture. He is a board member of Community Bank of Mississippi, Farmers Grain Terminal, and Delta Western Catfish Feed Mill. He served six years on the United States Department of Agriculture Research Board for Agriculture.
Turner is a member of First Methodist Church of Indianola, Mississippi, where he serves as Delegate to Annual Conference and a member of the Finance Committee. He was elected first as a lay delegate to 2000 and 2004 General Conference from the Mississippi Annual Conference. He served on General Council of Ministries from 2000 to 2004. Beginning in 2004, he is serving on the General Board of Global Ministries. He has served on the South Eastern Jurisdiction Episcopacy from 2000. He is a member of the Mississippi Methodist Foundation, Mississippi Home For Kids, Wood Institute, Mississippi Baddour Center. He serves as an assistant Sunday School teacher. He was instrumental in helping establish North Mississippi Emmaus Community and North Mississippi Christian Camp. He has been an active Gideon and Rotarian for 30 years.
Dr. James B. Buskirk
Dr. James B. Buskirk, recently retired, was Senior Minister at First United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma September 1984 - February 2001. More than 4700 persons accepted Christ and/or united with First United Methodist during Dr. Buskirk's ministry of twelve years. Under his leadership, the mission program exceeded $250,000 yearly and attracted more than 200 lay persons to short-term missions each year with more than 3300 lay persons doing lay ministries each week as an expression of their Christian discipleship. He has been a delegate to the last four jurisdictional conferences and the last three general conferences. He was a pastor of seventeen years prior to becoming the first professor of the Arthur J. Moore Chair of Evangelism at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, 1972-1976. Dr. Buskirk was the founding dean of the School of Theology at Oral Roberts University, 1976-1984. Dr. Buskirk is the originator of two local church programs in creative ministry called, "Motivation for Ministry" and "Affirmation Evangelism." He has contributed chapters to several books and written numerous articles.
Dr. Buskirk has been "Conference Preacher" at several annual conferences, spoken at jurisdictional conferences and at national conferences, and taught at several "Pastors' Schools" in annual conferences and at "Ministers' Week" in seminary settings. He has ministered in numerous churches in almost every state and preached and taught abroad. He was given the coveted Philip Award in 1979 from the National Association of United Methodist Evangelists. He received the Harry Denman Award in the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference in 1988. In 1992 he was named Distinguished Evangelist by The United Methodist Foundation for Evangelism.
Dr. Buskirk served over thirty years as a pastor. He served as the chair-person of the Oklahoma Conference Board of Evangelism for eight years. For four years he was on the Conference Board of Education. Other boards and agencies on which he has served are The South Central Jurisdiction Episcopacy Committee, Oklahoma Conference Episcopacy Committee, Frances Williard Home, Methodist Manor, Mount Sequoyah, Manna Ministries, Baddour Center, and is now Chair of the Board of Trustees Asbury Theological Seminary.
Dr. Buskirk earned a B. A. from Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, and a Doctor of Sacred Theology from Atlanta Theological Association through Candler School of Theology. He received Doctor of Divinity degrees from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky and from Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Dr. Buskirk is married to the former Miss Nancy Merritt who is a graduate of Emory University. They have a son and a daughter, Christopher and Angela. Their son, Chris, is a graduate of Candler School of Theology and is the Associate Minister of Preaching at First United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas. Their daughter, Angela, is a graduate of Oklahoma City University with a major in psychology and has earned a Master Degree in Health Services Administration at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She and her husband reside in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Buskirk's experiences as a husband, father, pastor, evangelist, professor, dean of a seminary, and administrator all contribute to his effectiveness in ministry.
Robert Collins Jr.
Sam Daffin
Married to Mary A. Daffin, attorney at law (married 40 years)
Pamela Cormier and Maynard S. Daffin, II., both married
4 grandchildren
An Attorney at Law
Rotary International, Downtown Houston Club
Trustee, Asbury Theological Seminary
Trustee, Houston Christian High School
EDUCATION:
B.S., Alabama State University
J.D., Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Private Practice of Law, M. Samuel Daffin Law Office
Member of the State of Bar of Texas
CHURCH AFFILIATION:
First United Methodist Church , Houston , Texas (Past and present positions of service.)
-Member of the Administrative Board
-Staff : Parish Relations
-Chairman, Board of Directors of Wesley Academy
-Lay Member of Annual Conference
-Lay Leader/Lay Coach, Ministry Coordinating Council
-Member of the Finance Committee
-Committee on Nominations and Personnel
-Board of Directors Quillian Memorial Center
-College, Single and Senior Adult Sunday School Teacher
-Choir Member (26 years)
-Alternate to 2000 General Conference
-Delegate to 2004 General Conference
Beyond the Local Church
Trustee, Houston North District of the Texas Annual Conference
Mary Daffin
Mary Daffin is currently an attorney and partner at Barrett, Burke, Wilson, Castle, Daffin & Frappier, and Adjunct Professor of Law, Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. She is also a former Assistant United States Attorney, United States Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, 1978-82.
She graduated from Alabama State University and earned her Juris Doctorat from Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, 1975.
Mary Daffin is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits; and the United States District Courts for the Southern, Northern, Western and Eastern District of Texas.
She is an author/speaker for south Texas College of Law, Bankruptcy, Course on Fundamentals, and for the State Dar of Texas Professional Development Program, Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Law Course and Advanced Creditors’ rights seminar, and speaker for the U.S> Foreclosure Network National Default Servicing Seminar and Roundtable, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights.
Her church membership is at First United Methodist Church of Houston, where she is the Chair of Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, member of the Administrative Board, and past member of the Board of Trustees. She and her husband, M. Samuel Daffin, Sr., attorney at law, have two children; Pamela D. Daffin-Cormier, RN at Texas Children’s Hospital and M. Samuel Daffin II, student.
Mickey Ellis
Asst. Secretary
Mickey Ellis is currently a member of Mission Bend United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, the church she has loved and attended for the past 23 years.
She has been involved in implementing and coordinating various ministries within the local church such as the Prayer Ministry, Women’s Ministry, and Care Ministry. She has also served as MYF coordinator and counselor, Celebration Women’s Ministry vice-president, Purpose Driven Life campaign director, building relocation coordinator, lay representative at the Texas Annual Conference and SPRC chairperson.
She currently serves Mission Bend United Methodist Church as Care Ministry Coordinator, small group facilitator, high school Sunday school teacher, Prayer Ministry team member, leadership team member, and church CanCare representative.
Outside of church, Mickey has served on the board of directors of Families for
Early Autism Treatment (FEAT), as treasurer for the Star Chapter of the National
Charity League, and as a member of the Special Education Task Force in the
Katy Independent School District. She currently offers support to breast cancer
patients as a volunteer for CanCare.
Mickey attended Del Mar Junior College in Corpus Christi, Texas where she received top honors and graduated first in her class. She went on to work as a secretary and administrative assistant at Amoco Production Company where she met her husband, Mike Ellis, of 26 years. For a short time she worked as a Realtor in west Houston before becoming a stay-at-home mom to Chrissy and John, now teenagers.
Mickey has a great love for the Lord and for His church and enthusiastically shares her testimony with anyone who will listen. For enjoyment, she runs, writes, and is learning how to draw.
Dr. Ira Gallaway
Dr. Ira Gallaway is former General Secretary of the Board of Evangelism. From March 1974 until July 1989, Dr. Gallaway served as Directing Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Peoria, Illinois where his leadership helped bring renewed spiritual vitality and mission outreach to the congregation. In July of 1989, Dr. Gallaway took early retirement to devote his time to work in the mission field. He is serving as Minister of Leadership Development with the Four Corners Native American Ministry Located at Shiprock, New Mexico, and is working with the New Evangelical Seminary of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Costa Rica.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate with an honor's degree in International Law and Political Science, he has served as a District Superintendent, as President of the National Council of Evangelism, and as the General Secretary of the General Board of Evangelism of the United Methodist Church. For fifteen years, he served as a member of the Executive Committee of the World Methodist Council and as member of the Bilateral Dialogue team with the Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council. He served for six years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Asbury Theological Seminary. The Chair of Leadership Development in Evangelism and World Mission at Asbury was recently endowed by a gift of $1,000,000.00 in honor of Dr. Gallaway.
He served as Chairman of the Board of the Mission Society for United Methodists for eight years, and continues as Chairman Emeritus.
In 1981, Dr. Gallaway served on a Citizen's Committee to study the crisis in El Salvador. The Committee was co-chaired by The Honorable Clark Kerr and Ambassador Angier Biddle Duke.
In March 1984, Dr. Gallaway was nominated by President Reagan to be a member of the official U.S. delegation to monitor the elections in El Salvador. He was also appointed by Congressman Robert Michel to the Special Congressional Committee to monitor U.S. aid to the Contras in the conflict in Nicaragua.
Dr. Gallaway was one of seven leading pastors form across the nation who called a meeting of concerned pastors in Houston, Texas in December, 1987 to affirm three central theological truths: the primacy of Scripture, the Trinitarian nature of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and the high and holy order of ordained ministry.
Dr. Gallaway is the author of a book, Drifted Astray, published by Abingdon Press in December 1982. In Drifted Astray, Dr. Gallaway addresses some of the critical issues facing the Church today. Dr. and Mrs. Gallaway have co-authored two study books for the Methodist Publishing House to be used as approved adult curriculum of The Church; The Kingdom Teachings of Jesus, and The Teaching of the Apostle Paul on Human Relationships.
Dr. Gallaway has four grown children Jerry, Cynthia, Craig and Tim. He also has twelve grandchildren
Dr. June Parker Goldman
Dr. June Parker Goldman is currently serving a third four-year term as Commissioner of Dickinson County. She is also a sought after public speaker for professional, educational church and service organizations throughout Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas and South Dakota.
She is a graduate of Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass., 1947 with an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Morningside College, Sioux City Iowa, 1979
Dr. Goldman remains a United Methodist Church leader:
Elected lay delegate from Iowa for six General and jurisdictional Conferences (1976 - 1996).
Delegate to two World Methodist Conferences
Served on the General Commission on Religion and Race and on the General Commission on Church and Society
Lay member of the Iowa Annual Conference since 1975
Vice Chair of UMORE (United Methodists Organized for Renewal and Evangelism)
A member of the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake, IA.
She is an author of two books, published by Abingdon Press: To Touch the Sky, 1969; and Search Every Corner, 1972.
Charles Kyker
Dr. John Ed Mathison
Dr. John Ed Mathison is the Senior Minister of the Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery, one of the fastest growing United Methodist Churches in America. Frazer has the largest Sunday School attendance for United Methodist Churches in America.
In 1986 the Church Leadership Institute cited Frazer as the fastest growing church of any denomination in Alabama. Frazer has an average worship attendance for the four Sunday services of over 4,500. Frazer's morning worship service is televised nationwide each week on Odyssey, INS, and AM NET, which reaches 80 million homes! The Frazer Family Hour is shown each Sunday in 22 countries in Europe reaching 167 million homes!
Frazer is committed to involving lay people in ministry. Eighty-three percent of the resident members are involved in a specific area of ministry. Frazer also has a strong commitment to missions. Thirty-five percent of the total budget is allocated to missions.
In 1994 Dr. Mathison was selected as the National Clergyman of the Year by The Religious Heritage Foundation.
He has written three books. Tried and True, published by Discipleship Resources, lists 11 church growth principles utilized by Frazer for designing and implementing its ministry. Every Member in Ministry tells Frazer's story of how to get lay people involved in meaningful ministry and how to avoid inactive members. Fishing for Birds is a collection of 122 bulletin-front messages from Dr. Mathison to the Frazer congregation. He has also written articles for Decision Magazine, The Circuit Rider, and other religious periodicals.
Dr. Mathison graduated from Opelika High School, attended Young Harris Junior College, received a BA Degree from Huntingdon College, BD Degree from Candler School of Theology, a Th.M. Degree from Princeton University, and the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Candler School of Theology.
Dr. Mathison was All-State Basketball Player for three years in high school and was captain and leading scorer for Huntingdon College, He is consistently ranked number one in his age division in tennis in Alabama and recently was ranked number three in the South. He has won 7 state racquetball championships.
For several years Dr. Mathison has served as Platform Speaker for the National Conference of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Platform Speaker for the National Hi-Y Tri-Hi-Y Conference at Black Mountain, North Carolina. Twice he has been the Platform Speaker for the Protestant Retreat at the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs.
He was selected as "Man of the Year" in Montgomery for 1978 and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Jaycees in 1979. In August 1988 he was awarded the Paul Grist Memorial Award for Service to Youth during the YMCA High School Values Conference at Blue Ridge, North Carolina. He serves on the Board of Directors of Colonial Bank and Colonial Bancgroup, Board of Directors of the Montgomery YMCA, and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness.
He has a wife, Lynn, and they have three daughters, Vicki, Lauren, and Clay, and one son, Si.
Dan Moore
Mr. Dan Moore is President and Chief Executive Officer of Home Bank, Martinsville. He has been with the bank since 1978. Moore is a graduate of Indiana State University. He holds a Master of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. Moore is a graduate of the School of Executive Development. He has also served as an Adjunct Instructor in the Business School at the University of Indianapolis. He serves the community as a board member of the Morgan Hospital Foundation; board member of the Morgan County Economic Corp.; Chairman of the Building Committee of the First United Methodist Church and past Chairman of the Barbara Jordan YMCA. On a national level Moore serves on the Mutual Institutions Advisory Board of the ICBA.
Rev Joy J. Moore
Rev. Joy J. Moore is the new Director of Student Life at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Joy’s first responsibilities at the seminary were to facilitate the seminary’s relating of theological disciplines to the life and faith experiences of all people. As the Director of Ethnic Ministries, Joy established the Center for American Cultural Diversity which will expand the seminary’s commitment to sustaining and strengthening the diverse church and foster an anti-racism learning environment. As Director of Women’s Ministries, Rev. Moore worked to provide models and encouragement , for both male and female members of the Seminary community, to develop a scriptural theology of women in ministry. As Student Life Director, Joy’s responsibilities include programming student activities, residence life, discipline, and counseling at ATS.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Rev. Moore’s desire to teach led her to study at the National College of Education in Evanston, Illinois, from which she received a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Mathematics. She holds a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary. A full clergymember of the United Methodist Church, Joy was the first African American female ordained elder in the West Michigan Annual Conference, where she serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry. In addition to having served as chairperson of both the Conference Racial/Ethnic Local Church Committee and the Conference Council on Ministries, Joy was an elected delegate to the 1996 General Conference.
She has served as chaplain and director of church relations at Adrian College, a church-related liberal arts college in Michigan and served as pastor in rural, urban, and suburban congregations.
Rev. Moore has contributed to Essential Truths (Bristol Books, 1997) and Unity, Liberty, and Charity (Abingdon Press, 1996). She was named a Christian Woman Role Model for 1998 by The Ecumenical Coalition on Women and Society.
Joy serves on the National Steering Committee of the "Confessing Movement" and the "Connection of Evangelical Clergywomen" within the United Methodist Church. Joy has served the denomination at the general, jurisdictional and annual conference level. In addition she has served on a number of issue-oriented task forces and community boards related to adoption, racial accord and substance abuse.
Donna Schlitt
- Widow Two Children Three Grandchildren Retired Church Business Administrator Owner/Operator Custom Drapery Business Telephone: 281-596-9094 donnaschlitt@sbcglobal.net
- Lay Leader The Foundry United Methodist Church, Houston, Texas Vice President L.C. Orrick Outreach, Inc./KQLC Christian Radio, Sealy, Texas Texas Conference Confessing Movement Board Resident Advisory Council, Eagle’s Trace Retirement Community, Houston, Texas General Conference Delegate 2012
- Various local church positions Jurisdictional Conference Delegate 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 General Conference Delegate 2008 Chairperson Texas Conference Division of Missions Vice Chairperson Texas Conference Board of Pensions Secretary Texas Conference Insurance Committee Chairperson Room to Grow Program Chairperson Houston Districts Board of Missions
David M. Stanley
David M. Stanley is founder, Chairman, and CEO of Pearl Mutual Funds, an investment company that includes two mutual funds.
A lifelong Methodist, Dave has taught an adult Sunday School class for 46 years at Wesley United Methodist Church, Muscatine, Iowa. He was a delegate to the 1992 United Methodist General Conference, has been a Lay Member of the UMC Iowa Annual Conference for 27 years, and served as its Associate Lay Leader for Stewardship.
He is active in the church reform and renewal movement and serves as a Director of the Confessing Movement within The United Methodist Church and a Steering Committee member of the Coalition for United Methodist Accountability. He is also a Director of the Institute on Religion and Democracy and chairs its United Methodist Action committee. He is Co-Chair of the Methodist Laity Reform Movement in Iowa.
Dave and his wife, Jean Leu Stanley ("Jeanie"), are past International Executive Couple of United Marriage Encounter, a Christian ministry; they continue serving as officers and Board members. They have helped present more than 100 Marriage Encounter Weekends in seven countries and many states.
He is Chairman of National Taxpayers Union, the largest U. S. taxpayers' organization. He is co-founder and Chairman of Iowans for Tax Relief, the nonpartisan Iowa taxpayers' organization with 51,000 members. He serves on the World Taxpayers Association Board. Dave and Jeanie are co-speakers for taxpayer meetings -- more than 400 to date.
He is a Trustee of Iowa Wesleyan College and Chairman of Public Interest Institute, an independent think tank at the college.
Dave served in the Iowa Legislature for 12 years and was House Ways and Means Committee Chairman and Senate Majority Leader.
He co-founded the law firm that is now Stanley, Lande and Hunter. He is retired from law practice but maintains an "of counsel" relationship with the firm.
He received B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Iowa and is an Honorary Lifetime Director of the University of Iowa Foundation.
Dave and Jeanie Stanley live in Muscatine, Iowa. They have four married children and eight grandchildren.
Rev. Gregory D. Stover
Rev. Gregory D. Stover is currently District Superintendent of the Cincinnati District in Ohio.
He is a graduate of Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY, and United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio.
He is a member, General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns Taskforce on Theological Divinity, Confessing Movement Board Member, Good News Board of Directors (A Forum for Scriptural Christianity within the UMC) West Ohio Conference Board of Pensions (Chairperson, Health Care Cornmittee) Evangelical Fellowship of West Ohio (Board Member) West Ohio Conference Preachers Relief Society (Member, Board of Directors) Cincinnati District Committee on Ordained Ministry Cincinnati District Missions Committee Sharonville Ministerial Association Princeton Community Baccalaureate Committee
Before his current appointment he served as pastor of Sharonville United Methodist Church in Ohio from 1989-1999. Rev. Gregory Stover has been a Delegate, 1996 General Conference of the United Methodist Church Delegate, 1996 Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church, North Central Jurisdictional Committee on Elections (1992-1996), Cincinnati District Committee on Pastoral Care, Cincinnati District Anti-Casino Gambling Effort (Co-Director), Princeton High School Parents Athletic Advisory Council, Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Good News (A Forum for Scriptural Christianity within the United Methodist Church) 1982-1988, 1989-1995, Delegate to North Central Jurisdictional Conference of the UMC - 1988, 1992, West Ohio Conference Division on Evangelism (Vice Chair) - 1984-1992, Director of Evangelism, Toledo District - 1984-1992, Toledo District Council on Ministries , Toledo District Committee on Ordained Ministry, Dayton North District Education Committee, and Dayton North District Cablevision Committee.
Jeff Switzer
Jeff Switzer was born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast . He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication. He married Cindy Bass and attended Asbury Theological Seminary receiving a Masters of Divinity in 1995. Rev. Switzer is currently a doctoral student at Trinity Theological Seminary and serves at Sandtown United Methodist Church. He previously served as pastor in Tupelo , MS. Rev. Switzer is the president of the Mississippi Fellowship of United Methodist Evangelicals, a renewal group within the Mississippi Annual Conference, in association with the Confessing Movement. Jeff and Cindy, now married for 15 years, have three children: Hannah, age 12; Timothy, age 11; Jonathan, age 6.
Rev. Phil Thrailkill
Rev. Phil Thrailkill was born July 26, 1953, in Florence, South Carolina. His father is a retired Family Doctor and his mother is a homemaker and a nurse. He is the oldest of three brothers and one sister. A lifelong United Methodist, He married Lori Furches, his college sweetheart, on August 7, 1976. Lori is a Master's level and Nationally Board Certified second grade teacher with sixteen years experience. They have two adult children, Daniel and Ellen.
Rev. Thrailkill received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University in 1975 and his Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, 1979/84, both with honors. He became an Ordained Deacon in June 1977 and an Ordained Elder in June 1984, both in the South Carolina Annual Conference.
He has served in the following pastorate position: Youth Minister at Chamblee First United Methodist Church, Atlanta, GA, 1977-1979; Pastor of the Fairfield Circuit, Winnsboro, SC, 1979-1984; Founding Pastor of Northeast United Methodist Church, Columbia, SC, 1984-1994; Pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, Charleston, SC, 1994-1998; and Pastor of Duncan Memorial UMC, Georgetown, SC, 1998 to present. He was elected as delegate to Southeastern Jurisdiction Conference in 2000 as an alternate and in 2004 as a full delegate.
Rev. Thrailkill also serves in many ministries beyond the local church. He currently serves as the Chaplain for the City of Georgetown Police and Fire and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. He also serves on the Ecumenical Advisory Board for Episcopal Spiritual Directors Training Program and the Chairman of the Georgetown Ministers Association.
Rev. Thrailkill is also very involved in foreign missions including currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Mission Society for United Methodists. He served as the Chairman of the Board from May 2001 until December 2004. Duncan United Methodist Church has a yearly foreign missions conference and has sent teams to Honduras, Costa Rica, and Peru. Rev. Thrailkill has numerous professional certifications, awards and special achievements including being the Co-founder of Trinity Prison Ministries which won both governmental and church awards for effectiveness. He is a highly sought after speaker and teacher at the church and conference level and beyond.
Rev. Thrailkill list the following as mentors and key influencers in his life:
Dr. J.C. Thrailkill, small-town doctor, who taught me about serving people, rich and poor.
Dr. Charles Talbert, New Testament scholar, who taught me to study the Scripture and ask good questions.
Dr. Betty Talbert, Spiritual Director, who taught me that every pastor needs a pastor.
Dr. George Morris, Candler Evangelism Professor, who taught me to do evangelism with integrity.
Dr. Don Saliers, Candler Worship Professor, who introduced me to riches of Christian worship.
Pastor John Wimber, Vineyard Churches, who taught me to pray for the sick and expect spiritual gifts.
Dr. Thomas Oden, Professor at Drew Seminary, who rooted me in the classic early Christian consensus.
Dr. Billy Abraham, Outler Professor at SMU, who believes that classical faith can be taught in local churches.
Danny Morris, Upper Room, who taught me that consensus is a possibility for local church decision making.
Dr. Al Vom Steeg, Mission Society for United Methodists, who keeps my passion for world missions alive.
Rev. Rob Dewey, Police Chaplain, who gave me a heart for the streets and for those who work there.
Dr. Ira Galloway, who takes delight in mentoring younger Christian leaders.
Dr. Stephen Wende
Dr. Steve Wende is Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Houston, Texas.
A native Texan, Dr. Wende graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1973 with high honors. In 1976 he received a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, and in 1992 his Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is married to Karin Susan Wende and they have two children, Michelle and Meredith.
After serving churches in south Texas and San Antonio, Dr. Wende was appointed to his present position in July 2001.
Dr. Wende is a noted speaker and serves as contributing editor for Preaching Magazine. He has received many awards for his work in the areas of church growth, evangelism, and mission outreach. In addition, he has served in numerous leadership positions in the United Methodist Church: including the Board of Ordained Ministry, the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, the Task Force on Evangelism, and election to the last four United Methodist General and Jurisdictional Conferences.
In addition to his service on the Board of the Confessing Movement, Dr. Wende serves as a Director of the Methodist Hospital of Houston, a Director of the Texas Methodist Foundation, a Trustee of Huston-Tillotson University and a Trustee of Houston Christian High School. Along with involvement in many organizations relating to medical and civic programs, Dr. Wende has been a Commissioner of the Methodist Home of Waco and Trustee of Texas Wesleyan College.
At First Methodist of Houston, Dr. Wende serves a church where the past and future intersect. First Methodist’s history dates to 1839. The first church building was constructed on Texas Avenue at the current site of the Houston Chronicle Building. In 1910, the congregation moved to the corner of Main and Clay streets. Then, in 1993, the church added a second campus on the west side of the city, which offers additional worship opportunities, a school, and a recreational center complete with swimming pools and softball fields. Additionally, over the years the church has founded Wesley Community Center, Clarewood House Retirement Home, First Choice Media Ministry, and Christian Alliance Ministry to better serve the larger Houston area. Dr. Wende, the forty-seventh pastor of First Methodist, continues to lead the congregation in its strong tradition of spiritual formation, civic leadership, and community outreach.
Rev Steve Wood
The Rev. Steve Wood, and his wife of twenty-three years, LeAnne, have three daughters and a son: Lauren, Lacey, Layne, and Steven, Jr. Their family resides in Alpharetta, Ga, and they enjoy water sports, golf, gardening, snow skiing, baseball, basketball, and bike-riding
Steve served for 7 years as the Community Spiritual Director for the Northwest Georgia Walk to Emmaus movement. Overseas, Steve has preached in and led mission trips to Israel, Jordan, Haiti, Brazil, Nigeria and Mexico. In 1994 Steve was chosen to be the launching Community Spiritual Director for the Tres Dias movement in Moscow, Russia. He has a passion for missions and evangelism in making disciples of Jesus Christ and growing and cultivating Christian leaders for global impact.
After receiving God's call into the ordained ministry, Steve enrolled in Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky in September 1983. While there, he served as a chaplain at the V.A. Medical Center in Lexington and later as the Youth Pastor of the First UMC of Georgetown, KY.
He received the Master of Divinity degree graduating in May 1986. Five days later, he was appointed as the pastor in charge of the Red Oak UMC in College Park, Georgia where he served for 3 years. Under his leadership the Red Oak became a multi-racial congregation and was recognized as the Conference Small Membership Church of the Year in 1989.
In June, 1989, he was appointed to plant a new church in Douglas County which has become the New Covenant UMC. Starting with 16 interested people the church grew to over 600 members in just seven years. In addition, the congregation built a multipurpose facility and added an activities center complete with gymnasium. The church was recognized as the fastest growing congregation in the Southeastern Jurisdiction in 1991.
Steve was appointed to the Sugar Hill UMC in Gwinnett County on January 1, 1997 as the Senior Pastor where he served for ten years. Under his leadership, membership more than doubled, eventually surpassing 2000. Sugar Hill UMC is distinguished by one of the highest worship attendance/membership ratios in all of Methodism at 70%, with the majority new members joining by profession of faith in Christ, rather than transfer from other churches.
In June 2007, Steve was appointed to Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, the third largest church by worship attendance in the entire denomination. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the North Georgia Conference Council on Finance and Administration, and was one of 14 clergy delegates elected to the world gathering of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church representing the North Georgia Conference in April 2008.
In addition to his pastoral role, Steve serves on the boards of Mount Pisgah Christian School, the Summit Counseling Center, and The Beacon of Hope Women’s Center, North Georgia Conference Finance and Administration, The Confession Movement, the Co-Chair of the Asbury Seminary Alumni Board, and The Leading Edge Large Church Pastors Network.
Steve was born and raised in Sandy Springs, Georgia in North Fulton County. He graduated from Ridgeview High School in 1976 and the University of Georgia in 1980 with a BBA in Finance. From 1980-83, Steve was employed as a manufacturer's representative in the office products industry before answering the call to ministry.
