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gbhem.org > Ministry > Clergy Leaders > Professional Certification in Specialized Ministry > Certification Forms and Resources

Certification Forms and Resources

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Board of Ordained Ministry Library

Certification Forms and ResourcesPlan Left2023-12-28T14:53:42-06:00

Specialized Certification Requirements

Steps in Certification
Camp/Retreat Ministry
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Forms

Form HE4004: Request for Biennial Review and Renewal
Form HE4012: Request for References for Professional/Paraprofessional
Form HE4064: Enrollment for Professional Certification
Form HE4065: Enrollment form for Paraprofessional Certification
Form 323790: Application for Professional Certification
Form 4066: Application for Paraprofessional Certification
Scholarship Form for Part-time Students

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Scholarships to Fuel Your Dreams

Scholarships to Fuel Your Dreams

Every year, we award an average of $4 million to help students earn their degrees and serve as the next generation of leaders.

Global Education Programs

Global Education Programs

The International Grants and Scholarship Program helps offset the costs of education for students at Methodist-related institutions.

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Course of Study

Interested in training to become a local pastor? Learn more about licensing and the Course of Study process.

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Street Address:
1908 Grand Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 340007
Nashville, TN 37203-0007

Karen Ward

Karen Ward

Chief Administrative Officer

Karen Ward has served as chief administrative officer of GBHEM since May 1, 2020. She joined the agency in 2008 as controller and has held multiple leadership roles in finance and administration. With more than 30 years of experience, Ward’s background includes over two decades in finance and leadership at a United Methodist-related institution of higher education, along with experience in banking and small business ownership.

She represents The United Methodist Church on the board of EIIA, a nonprofit insurance consortium serving private, faith-inspired colleges and universities. Her work reflects a deep commitment to strengthening the connection between the church and higher education. Ward earned her accounting degree from Martin Methodist College (now UT Southern) and holds an MBA from the University of North Alabama. She resides in Middle Tennessee, where she serves as a lay leader and finance committee member in her local Methodist church.

Ward is known for her thoughtful leadership and dedication to service. She often reminds colleagues that “administration is also a calling and a gift from God.”

AmosNascimento

Amos Nascimento

Special Assistant to the General Secretary

Dr. Amos Nascimento serves as special assistant to the general secretary, advising on global educational networks and how they connect the church and academy. He also helps coordinate ecumenical relationships between the General Board of Global Ministries and GBHEM and acts as a liaison between the Mission Engagement Unit and the Office of the General Secretary to promote long-term educational partnerships across regions.

A lifelong Methodist and respected educator, Nascimento has held academic and administrative roles in Argentina, Brazil, Germany and the United States. His global leadership includes service with the International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU), the Education Committee of the World Methodist Council (WMC), and the Commission on Education and Ecumenical Formation of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

Nascimento brings a multilingual and intercultural approach to his work, emphasizing deep listening, consensus-building and contextual collaboration with local communities. His commitment to education and ecumenical engagement reflects a vision of the Church as a global learning community.

Rev.-Dr.-Trip-Lowery

Rev. Dr. Trip Lowery

Director of Ministry

The Rev. Dr. Trip Lowery serves as director of ministry at GBHEM, where he leads efforts in theological education, credentialing, vocational discernment and candidate development. His portfolio includes Licensing School, Course of Study, Advanced Course of Study, Exploration, the Young Clergy Initiative, Journey Toward Ordained Ministry, the Ministerial Education Fund and the Study of Ministry Commission.

Lowery has served GBHEM since 2013 in various ministry roles, collaborating with diverse groups across the global United Methodist connection. He was ordained as an elder in the North Carolina Annual Conference in 2002 and has served as a youth pastor, associate pastor, church planter and senior pastor. He has also contributed to conference leadership through committees on ordained ministry and higher education.

A native of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Lowery holds a B.S. in natural sciences and education from Winthrop University, an M.Div. from Duke Divinity School, and a D.Min. in Christian leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary, where his research focused on inclusion for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

He lives in Kitty Hawk, N.C., with his wife, Eileen, and their two daughters. He enjoys surfing and is actively involved in Surfing For Autism, a nonprofit supporting autism-related services on the Outer Banks.

Dr. Ginger Cross Hooge

Dr. Ginger Cross Hooge

Director, Research and Analytics

Dr. Ginger C. Hooge serves as director of research and analytics, where she leads efforts to collect, analyze and visualize data that inform strategic planning, monitor progress and identify opportunities for improvement. She brings nearly 25 years of experience in research and evaluation across higher education and nonprofit sectors.

Before joining GBHEM in 2017, Hooge was an assistant research professor at Mississippi State University’s Social Science Research Center. Her work there included health, education, safety and economic well-being projects. She directed the Mississippi electronic citation project, conducted a statewide distracted driving survey, and co-authored reports for legislators and policymakers. She also led a five-year NIH-funded project developing health education for preschool and kindergarten children.

Hooge has served as principal investigator or co-investigator on projects totaling $3.6 million and was twice awarded the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station’s Grantsmanship Award for securing the highest extramural funding.

She holds a B.S. in psychology, an M.S. in experimental psychology, and a Ph.D. in cognitive science from Mississippi State University. Her work reflects a deep commitment to using data to support mission-driven decision-making and improve outcomes across the church and higher education.

Tammy_Gieselman

Rev. Dr. Tammy Gieselman

Director, Education and Executive Secretary, University Senate

The Rev. Dr. Tamara K. Gieselman serves as director of education and executive secretary for the University Senate. Since joining GBHEM in 2018, she has led initiatives in study abroad, faculty recognition and grant development through partnerships with organizations such as the British Council, Forum for Theological Exploration and Interfaith America.

Prior to GBHEM, Gieselman spent a decade in higher education as university chaplain, associate clinical professor and director of religious life at the University of Evansville. She directed a Lilly Endowment-funded youth theology institute and led study tours in Israel, England, and Spain.

An ordained elder in the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, Gieselman served in local church ministry for 17 years. She earned her doctor of ministry in preaching from Chicago Theological Seminary, a master of divinity with honors from Vanderbilt Divinity School, and a B.A. magna cum laude from the University of Evansville.

Her work focuses on higher education, interfaith leadership, preaching and practical theology. She co-edited Pentecost on Mockingbird Lane (Chalice Press) and has served as a preaching coach with the Academy of Preachers. Gieselman brings innovation and insight to GBHEM’s support of United Methodist-related institutions.

C.-Todd-Willis

C. Todd Willis

General Counsel

Todd Willis serves as general counsel of Higher Education and Ministries and chief operating officer and general counsel of Global Ministries, overseeing the agency’s administrative and operational functions. His leadership spans property management, risk, insurance, IT systems, governance, compliance and legal strategy.

A lifelong United Methodist and son of a pastor, Willis earned a B.A. from Florida Southern College and a J.D. from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. Before joining Global Ministries in 2019, he practiced law in Washington, D.C., and Orlando, FL, as a partner at Carlton Fields, a national law firm.

Willis also served as board chair for the Immigration Law and Justice Network, a United Methodist ministry offering legal services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. He and his wife, Kristin, live in Georgia with their three children: Carter, Cooper and Campbell.

Rev. Dee Stickley-Minter

Rev. Dee Stickley-Minter

Executive Director, Mission Engagement

The Rev. Dee Stickley-Miner serves as executive director for mission engagement at Higher Education and Ministries and Global Ministries. In this role, she works with the general secretary to expand missional engagement across The United Methodist Church and with Pan-Methodist, ecumenical and global partners.

Stickley-Miner brings more than 30 years of experience in church-related ministry and leadership. She served 20 years with the West Ohio Conference, including 12 years as director of mission and justice, where she built partnerships in Mexico, Southeast Asia, Russia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and led local initiatives focused on health equity, racial justice and youth inclusion. She later served eight years as director of connectional ministries, overseeing camping, lay leadership and diversity ministries.

Earlier in her career, Stickley-Miner was assistant dean of Student Life and director of the Course of Study School at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Ordained as a deacon in 1999, she is deeply committed to ministries that serve others.

She holds degrees from Mount Union College and Candler School of Theology. Stickley-Miner lives in Ohio with her husband, Ed Miner, and is the proud parent of three adult children. She maintains active ministry connections in Dayton and Columbus.

Haley M. Reardon

Haley M. Reardon

Chief Development Officer

Haley M. Reardon serves as chief development officer for Higher Education and Ministry and the General Board of Global Ministries. She leads strategic fundraising and donor engagement efforts to support global education, ministry, mission and humanitarian programs.

Reardon oversees comprehensive fundraising initiatives, including major gifts, planned giving, digital and direct response campaigns and disaster response fundraising. She works closely with agency leadership and board members to strengthen relationships with key donors and stakeholders.

A bilingual fundraising professional, Reardon brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit development and donor relations. Prior to joining the boards, she served on the development team at Emory University’s School of Medicine, most recently as director of development. Her work resulted in endowed professorships and programs, consistently exceeding fundraising goals.

Earlier in her career, Reardon held development roles at Wesley Theological Seminary, where she expanded giving programs and deepened donor engagement.

She holds a bachelor of arts from Birmingham-Southern College and a master of divinity from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. After graduating from Candler, she served as a licensed local pastor at Pleasant View Charge in Winchester, Virginia.

Susan Clark

Susan Clark

Chief Communications Officer

Susan Clark serves as chief communications officer for Higher Education and Ministry and the General Board of Global Ministries. She leads strategic communications efforts to share the mission and ministry of both agencies with key stakeholders and the public.

Clark is a mission-driven marketing and communications executive with experience in nonprofit, higher education, cultural and corporate sectors. She began her career at the Society of St. Andrew, a church-supported hunger relief organization and Global Ministries Advance partner, where she launched its first regional office in North Carolina.

After earning her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Clark held roles at S.C. Johnson & Son, Eastman Kodak Company and the High Museum of Art. Prior to joining Global Ministries, she served nearly a decade as associate dean and chief marketing officer at Emory University School of Law, overseeing communications, recruitment marketing, events and publications.

A graduate of Duke University, Clark has lived in Atlanta for many years but still calls the Eastern Shore of Maryland home. Her work reflects a deep commitment to storytelling, strategic engagement and advancing the church’s mission through effective communication.

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Kerri Broussard

Director, Human Resources

Kerri Broussard serves as director of human resources for Higher Education and Ministry and the General Board of Global Ministries. The HR department is responsible for providing support to employees during their employment lifecycle at both agencies, which commences with recruitment and onboarding, continues through talent management and ends with offboarding or retirement. Broussard has been with Global Ministries for 18 years.

She is a member of both local and national chapters of the Society of Human Resource Management. She holds a bachelor’s degree and is a Senior Certified Professional through the SHRM. Broussard was born in Jamaica, migrated to the United States with her family at age 3 and grew up in New York City. She and her husband Chris have three children: Adam, Adalyn and Addison.

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Roland Fernandes

General Secretary

Roland Fernandes serves as general secretary (chief executive) of Global Ministries and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), a role he assumed on Sept. 1, 2020. He expanded his leadership portfolio on July 1, 2024, becoming general secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Fernandes has held key roles at Global Ministries since 1995, including chief operating officer and chief financial officer, and has served multiple terms as interim general secretary.

He oversees programs and partnerships in more than 120 countries, including 350 missionaries in 70 nations. A layman from Kolkata, India, Fernandes views mission as “the heart of the church’s work” and sees the agencies as uniquely positioned to further God’s mission globally.

Fernandes led the 2016 relocation of Global Ministries from New York City to Atlanta, reducing costs and improving service delivery. He has worked closely with GCFA, WesPath, United Methodist Communications and the Texas Methodist Foundation to align resources and strategy.

In 2025, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his leadership in global mission and education. He helped establish the UMCOR Armenia Foundation and co-founded Prayatna, a nonprofit serving women and children in Mumbai. He also serves as treasurer and board member of Church World Service and is active in Illuman, a men’s spiritual formation organization.

Fernandes holds a master of commerce from Calcutta University and is a Chartered Accountant. He and his wife, Liesl, are members of North Decatur United Methodist Church in Atlanta, where he serves as finance chair.

10-21-25 Meg Lassiat headshot

Meg Lassiat

Executive Director of Ministry

The Rev. Meg Lassiat serves as executive director of ministry for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. She leads the ministry team in areas related to licensed and ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church, including enlistment, candidacy, credentialing, theological education, conference relations and continuing formation for clergy.

Lassiat previously served in GBHEM’s Division of Ordained Ministry from 2005 to 2020 and has held roles at the United Methodist General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, as well as in local church ministry. She is an ordained deacon in the Indiana Conference and a graduate of Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.

Throughout her career, Lassiat has focused on building communities, supporting vocational discernment, and creating opportunities for others to live into their callings. She has served on district and conference Boards of Ordained Ministry and as a jurisdictional delegate.

She finds deep fulfillment in collaborative leadership, helping teams imagine, build and grow ministries that make a meaningful impact. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, traveling and spending time at the beach.

Philip-Wingeier-Rayo

Philip Wingeier-Rayo

Executive Director of Education, GBHEM

Dr. Philip Wingeier-Rayo serves as executive director of education. He brings more than 25 years of experience in theological education, having taught at institutions including Seminario Baez Camargo in Mexico City, Pfeiffer University, Perkins School of Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Wesley Theological Seminary, where he served as dean for four years.

A former missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries, Wingeier-Rayo served for 15 years in Latin America and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. His global experience informs his commitment to intercultural theological education and contextual ministry.

He is the author of five books, including John Wesley and the Origins of Methodist Mission (Abingdon, 2025), La Evangelización y la Misión de Dios (Foundery Books, 2020), and Cuban Methodism: The Untold Story of Survival and Revival (2006). His book La Biblia a través de los ojos de Juan Wesley (2019) will be released in English later this year.

Wingeier-Rayo and his wife, Diana, live near Washington, D.C., and have three adult children.

Dr. David W. Scott

Dr. David W. Scott

Senior Director, Theology and Strategic Planning

Dr. David W. Scott serves as senior director of mission theology and strategic planning at Higher Education and Ministry and the General Board of Global Ministries. In this role, he supports United Methodists worldwide in discerning how to faithfully participate in God’s mission today.

A respected scholar and author, Scott co-edited Methodism and American Empire: Reflections on Decolonizing the Church. His other works include Unlikely Friends, The Practice of Mission in Global Methodism, Methodist Mission at 200, Crossing Boundaries, and Mission as Globalization. He has also contributed numerous articles and book chapters on mission theology and Methodist history.

Before joining Global Ministries and GBHEM, Scott taught religion and leadership at Ripon College, where he helped students explore the intersection of faith, ethics and global engagement. His writing and leadership continue to shape conversations about the future of mission in a changing world.