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
Sometimes, the road to Damascus passes through Breezewood, Pennsylvania. There at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 76, the Rev. Bruce Maxwell, a United Methodist deacon who serves as an endorsed chaplain at the travel plaza, cares for truckers, travelers, or anyone passing through.
The EXPLORATION discernment event is unlike any other event with its goal of helping people discern and not pushing them into ordained ministry or into a particular form of Christian service. EXPLORATION helps participants discern and be open to what God may be asking of them and how they are called to use their gifts and graces to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
"What inspired me to become a deacon is to be able to share the love of God with individuals who may not ever enter the church," says the Rev. Jacob Penvose, a deacon in full connection from the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference.
