2024 Impact Report Highlights Year of Transition, Alignment and Ministry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) of The United Methodist Church released its 2024 Impact Report, offering a detailed look at a year shaped by transition, renewed alignment and a deepened commitment to developing transformational leaders for the church and the world.
The report reflects a year of purposeful change and faithful service. Roland Fernandes began his role as GBHEM general secretary on July 1 following the retirement of the Rev. Greg Bergquist. The agencies began their intentional alignment work several years ago. Fernandes also serves as the general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR.
GBHEM is continuing implementation of its Balanced Scorecard strategy, a framework adopted to guide agency-wide evaluation, clarify priorities and improve accountability. Central to that work are two strategic goals: connecting the church and the academy and developing leaders for transformational ministry.
In 2024, GBHEM awarded $3.7 million in scholarships to 1,895 students—including 412 pursuing seminary and theological education—with an intentional focus on racial-ethnic diversity and vocational formation. Through the Black College Fund, it provided $6.4 million to help support United Methodist-related historically black colleges and universities.
The report also highlights GBHEM’s leadership in convening more than 30 regional and international gatherings for United Methodist-related educational institutions—part of its broader support of more than 1,000 schools worldwide. Programs like Exploration 2024 provided space for vocational discernment, drawing 125 young adults exploring a call to ministry in the U.S.
The Impact Report shows how GBHEM is seeking to listen, align and prepare leaders for the future of the church. GBHEM thanks its partners, the individuals, churches and conferences who sustain leadership development for the church, academy and world with prayer, wisdom and faithful support..
GBHEM ImpactReport-2024 6-24-25
View, download and share the full annual report here.
Related Posts
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s revised Course of Study (COS) curriculum will reshape how local pastors in The United Methodist Church are formed for ministry through a streamlined, 16-course structure that is more integrated, flexible, and responsive to today’s church.
Discerning God’s call in your life and think that call may be to vocational ministry in The United Methodist Church? Exploration 2026 may offer the clarity you’ve been seeking. Exploration, a nationwide vocational discernment retreat hosted by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, is set for November 6-8, in Orlando, Florida. Registration is now open for adults 18 and older who are considering a call to vocational ministry.
More than 470 scholarship recipients supported by The United Methodist Church’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) reached a major milestone this spring, earning degrees across disciplines ranging from theology and education to finance and science.
