GBHEM Announces the Election of Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball as Board of Directors President

Nashville, TN, April 19, 2022 – The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) recently announced the election of Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball as the President of its board of directors. Bishop Steiner Ball presides over the West Virginia Annual Conference and has served the church in a variety of areas, including the Interjurisdictional Episcopacy Committee, the United Methodist Endorsing Agency and the Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy. She also provides episcopal coverage for the Susquehanna Conference. 

A graduate of Dickinson College, Steiner Ball earned a Bachelor of Arts in religion. She later received her Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School and a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary. She also serves on GBHEM’s Executive/Personnel and Policies Committee, Global Education and Ministry Committee and Audit and Review Subcommittee.

Bishop Steiner Ball is extremely passionate about supporting GBHEM in its mission to develop principled Christian leaders equipped to fulfill the mission of The United Methodist Church. “I have experienced the power of God and the transforming work of Christ in the ministry and mission of GBHEM,” Steiner Ball said. “I look forward to my continued journey with GBHEM as we pray, discern, and act upon God’s vision for the development of lay and clergy leaders for the Church and for the world.”

As the incoming GBHEM board of directors’ president, she will replace Bishop William McAlilly, who served as president for the 2017-2020 quadrennium. “On behalf of GBHEM, we would like to thank Bishop McAlilly for his innovative leadership during his tenure as board president. We deeply value his wisdom, insight, and commitment to serving the United Methodist Church around the world.” said Rev. Greg Bergquist, general secretary of GBHEM.

GBHEM is governed by a board of directors whose members, both lay and clergy, represent the worldwide connection of the United Methodist Church. “Bishop Steiner Ball is an esteemed and passionate Christian leader with a remarkable background,” expressed Bergquist. “She brings a wealth of resources and knowledge to GBHEM that has proven to be invaluable and spiritually transformative for the church, the academy, and the world.”

About GBHEMThe General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) is the ministry of learning and leadership of The United Methodist Church, preparing elders, deacons, laity and licensed local pastors for their roles in the Church and supporting more than 1,100 Methodist-related educational institutions worldwide. In addition to serving Christians around the world with intellectual engagement and spiritual and leadership formation, GBHEM helps lay and clergy leaders discover, claim and flourish in God’s ministry and mission for the Church, the academy, and the world. For more information, visit www.gbhem.org.