Hope in times of challenge

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 on Oct. 14-17.

The joint meeting signaled a new era in how The United Methodist Church accomplishes its work as these agencies intentionally align their operations to more effectively “support the church in its participation in the missio Dei, the mission of God,” in a time of widespread human distress and changing religious patterns, said Roland Fernandes in his first report as general secretary (chief executive) of both agencies.

Fernandes set his report in the context of the prophet Isaiah from the Book of Hebrews: “Lord, show us favor; we hope in you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in times of distress” (Hebrews 33:2).

The verse, he said, conveys a message of hope in challenging times.

Fernandes explored the meaning and value of church agency collaboration in speaking to directors at the start of a new four-year administrative and financial cycle. He acknowledged denominational challenges related to membership and revenue as the church emerges from a period of bruising division over social and ethical issues. 

Higher Education and Ministry connects the church and the academy and prepares transformational leaders for the ministry of the church. Global Ministries connects the church in mission through missionary placements and seeks to alleviate human suffering. Global Ministries incorporates the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

Fernandes assumed leadership of Higher Education and Ministry in July 2024. He has served as general secretary of Global Ministries and UMCOR for five years, after serving 25 years in other executive positions. In his report, he spoke of the distinctive yet complementary natures of mission and education for ministry. Both agencies, he said, are “missional” in nature:

Sending missionaries and carrying out disaster relief and recovery is related to mission, but so is the church’s support of education and the work of raising up leaders who will lead the church forth in mission. We must have a holistic understanding of mission that encompasses all of the work of both agencies.

We must also have a view of mission and ministry that is not divided by geography or administrative structure…The goal for alignment between the two agencies is a unified presence and an integrated structure for both agencies. We need to have a unified presence so that as we are interacting with partners around the world, information can flow smoothly across agencies and units. This will help us best respond to and support our partners in their mission and ministry. We need to have an integrated structure so that the alignment is owned by all involved throughout the two agencies among directors, staff, and missionaries, not just me as general secretary for both agencies. This is the goal toward which we will be working in the months and years to come. Your support for this work and direction is critical, and my belief is that we can, God willing, model and live into this engagement across the fullness of our church.

Directors of the two boards – 23 for Higher Education and Ministry and 39 for Global Ministries – met in concurrent and separate sessions during the joint gathering. Committees, some distinctive to a particular agency, and some meeting jointly, will oversee governance, administration and programs going forward. Fernandes’ report describes these operational plans. 

2025 is the first year that budgets include more than 50% reductions of denominational apportionments, a major source of revenue for the two agencies. But Fernandes reported that spending from reserves in 2025 budgets has allowed for minimal changes compared to 2024. Global Ministries’ budget for 2025 will be $48 million; Higher Education and Ministry will be $30 million; and UMCOR, including Global Health, will be $39.5 million. 

In his closing remarks, Fernandes expressed his hope that board members would leave the meeting feeling enthusiastic about the possibilities for deep alignment and continued ministry by both agencies, even in these challenging times. “I pray than none of us grow weary in doing good, for at the right time we will see the harvest,” he said, referencing Galatians 6:9.

The full report of General Secretary Fernandes can be read here.

Elliott Wright is an information consultant for Global Ministries.