LEAD Hubs – Western, Central and Southern Europe
Location: Reutlingen, Germany
Executive Director: Prof. Dr. Ulrike Schuler
E-mail: ulrike.schuler@th-reutlingen.de
Prof. Dr. Ulrike Schuler oversees LEAD Hub Europe where she works closely with long-standing partners of GBHEM and GBGM. She is based in the Reutlingen School of Theology in Reutlingen, Germany and collaborates with 14 other Methodist theological training centers in a total of 12 countries across Europe. These institutions are linked together in the network of Methodist related schools in Europe (MTSE) working in the spirit of the Wesleyan connection that is vital for a theologically and culturally sensitive training for global Christian leadership. The participating institutions and organizations are committed to continuous cooperation with each other and are supported to do so by Lead Hub Europe which operates through this network. This network includes the following:
- exchange of information
- exchange of students and teachers
- development of joint programs
- sharing of resources
- exploration of new methods of cooperation made available through the development of online resources and communication
- enhanced cooperation with similar regional bodies in other continents and with regional and international bodies.
RECENT ACTIVITIES
- Accompanied GBHEM General Secretary, Greg Bergquist and Dr. Amos Nascimentos during an official meeting with representatives of the Vatican in Rome, Italy. This meeting was a continuation of connections and dialogues with the World Methodist Council, the European historical Methodist conference in Velletri, the visit of bishop Zürcher of the Central Conference Middle and South Europe in Zurich, as well as a meeting at the Reutlingen School of Theology with different composition like RST faculty, leading church staff, bishop Rückert, Germany CC, and online-connection of Bishop Alsted, CC Northern Europe.
- Participated in the organization and implementation of the Conference of the World Methodist Historical Society-European Section (WMHS-ES) in Velletri/Rome. The conference held September 6-9, 2023, was attended by professional and lay historians of Methodist churches in Europe, most of whom presented their research findings.
- Organized and implemented the Third European Methodist Lecture Program (EMLP) in autumn 2023, co-hosted by the Reutlingen School of Theology (GBHEM Lead Hub Europe) & Wesley House Cambridge (GBHEM Lead Hub Britain) and in cooperation with The Methodist related Schools in Europe (MTSE). The event was attended by students, faculty, pastors, lay church members, bishops, and their cabinets.
- Provided financial and ideological support for the Institute for Multicultural Ministry (IMM) in September 12 to 19, 2023. The event was held in Stuttgart, Germany.