• General Secretary Signs AAC&U Statement Defending Academic Freedom

    General Secretary Signs AAC&U Statement Defending Academic Freedom

    Published On: April 28, 2025

    Roland Fernandes, general secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, joined more than 500 higher education leaders in signing “A Call for Constructive Engagement,” a statement from the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) defending the essential freedoms of U.S. colleges and universities against political interference and coercive government overreach.

  • A moral imperative to stand on the side of the gospel

    A moral imperative to stand on the side of the gospel

    Published On: April 10, 2025

    Report of General Secretary Roland Fernandes to the Board of Directors of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry

  • Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education Harms Us All

    Dismantling the U.S. Department of Education Harms Us All

    Published On: February 24, 2025

    Students on the campus of Drew University, a United Methodist-affiliated school. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UMNS By Roland Fernandes, General Secretary of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries of The United Methodist ChurchThe General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church...

  • Hope in times of challenge

    Hope in times of challenge

    Published On: October 15, 2024

    United Methodist mission and education agencies form new boards of directors. October 15, 2024 | by Elliott Wright NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The general boards of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries affirmed their partnership in mission and ministry during a joint meeting of their boards of directors in Nashville...

  • Fernandes begins tenure as general secretary of two agencies as he assumes GBHEM’s chief executive role

    Fernandes begins tenure as general secretary of two agencies as he assumes GBHEM’s chief executive role

    Published On: July 1, 2024

    Roland Fernandes, general secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), has assumed leadership of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), effective July 1, 2024. Fernandes has served since the fall of 2020 as general secretary of GBGM and...

  • GBHEM and GBGM Move Toward Greater Missional Alignment as Rev. Greg Bergquist Announces His Retirement

    GBHEM and GBGM Move Toward Greater Missional Alignment as Rev. Greg Bergquist Announces His Retirement

    Published On: October 24, 2023

    Roland Fernandes Named as Successor to Lead Both Agencies Rev. Greg Bergquist, general secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), has requested a retired relationship from the California-Nevada Annual Conference, effective June 30, 2024, after serving as GBHEM’s chief executive for more than five years. Roland...

  • A Season for Renewal and a Joint Commitment to our Worldwide Connection

    A Season for Renewal and a Joint Commitment to our Worldwide Connection

    Published On: June 28, 2023

    During this season, we can witness signs of hope, motivation, and opportunities for action. As people involved in the general agencies of the United Methodist Church, we have seen our worldwide ecumenical connection at work!

  • GBHEM General Secretary Rev. Greg Bergquist Awarded Honorary Doctorate

    GBHEM General Secretary Rev. Greg Bergquist Awarded Honorary Doctorate

    Published On: May 20, 2022

    The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) is pleased to announce General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Greg Bergquist was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Claremont School of Theology.