Participants learned how to measure and report the impact of their spiritual and ministerial programs at a Leadership Development Return on Investment (ROI) Workshop this summer. The event was hosted by the United Methodist Endorsing Agency, a part of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

UMC students and leaders participated in a 10-day travel seminar to Belfast, Ireland as part of a collegiate ministry program focused on leadership development, peace building and conflict resolution.

GBHEM has presented the Francis Asbury Award to 15 individuals and one group from across the U.S.

GBHEM as part of their strategy to enable and resource leadership within the church has selected the 2017 YCI grant recipients. This year, applications were received from every United Methodist jurisdictional conference, and of those applications, 34 grants were awarded.

The Candidacy Office at GBHEM has partnered with Wespath and EY (formerly Ernst & Young) to offer financial planning services to certified candidates for licensed and ordained ministry. The services will be offered at no cost to candidates upon certification by their district committees on ordained ministry.

Pastor Josias Andujar is a past recipient of the HANA scholarship for Hispanic, Asian and Native American United Methodist students and credits the program for providing valuable financial support. “I can honestly say I would not have made it without the HANA Scholarship ... The HANA Scholarship helped me to see light at the end of the tunnel.”

GBHEM announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Dr. Vivian Bull, Dr. James Hildreth and Rev. Sun Hee Kim.

The Office of Loans and Scholarships at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) recognized three recent Doctor of Philosophy graduates who participated in the Women of Color (WOC) Scholars Program: Mary Wong Cheng, Michele Watkins and Catherine E. Williams. Each scholar graduated in May 2017.

With great sadness, GBHEM announced the passing of Dr. Ted Brown, 65, on May 20, 2017. Brown began serving as interim associate general secretary for the Division of Higher Education on April 3, 2017. He previously served on the GBHEM Board of Directors for two consecutive quadrennia, as vice president of the Division of Higher Education. He also served as the president of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU).

The Publishing Office at GBHEM announced the release of two new books, “Common Worship: Tradition, Formation, Mission” by E. Byron Anderson and “The Vocation of Theology: Inquiry, Dialogue, Adoration” edited by Rex D. Matthews.

The Commission on Central Conference Theological Education awarded 67 grants totaling more than $1 million to the seven Central Conferences of The United Methodist Church. The grants fund theological education advances at theological institutions, Boards of Ordained Ministry and agencies integrally related to training United Methodist pastors.