New Leaders of GBHEM Global Hubs Visit Nashville for Business Planning and Connection

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), the leadership development agency for the denomination, welcomed the newest members of the agency team—the executive directors of the Global Hubs for Leadership, Education and Development (LEaD). The hubs provide an exciting new avenue to advance GBHEM’s ongoing work around the globe to support the formation and development of global leaders for our global church. 

As announced in August 2017, GBHEM expanded its global presence through the establishment of five additional regional hubs in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Manila, Philippines; Maputo, Mozambique; Stockholm, Sweden; and Johannesburg, South Africa. The North American Hub was moved from the GBHEM offices in Nashville, Tennessee to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The executive directors of the hubs will identify opportunities for expansion, capacity building and enhancing the agency presence, support and resourcing for quality Methodist education and ministry in key areas across the globe. 

The hub executive directors are an integral part of GBHEM’s global education strategy, positioning the agency to provide leadership development along with education and ministry resources in the local contexts of the 10 geographic areas the hubs support. As the executive directors reside in the areas they support, they will be immersed in the business, government, community and religious activities of their home countries.

The LEaD Hub executive directors began their visit on the evening of Friday, March 2 with dinner and fellowship. The leaders spent Saturday in intensive joint planning, strategy development and budgeting meetings. Belmont United Methodist Church welcomed the directors to worship on Sunday.

After a day and a half of planning and strategy, the directors met with each of the GBHEM departments for onboarding with the agency. In addition to meeting with each of the departments, the directors had an opportunity to participate in the standing leadership meetings with the agency’s executive cabinet and management staff.

During the Nashville visit, the directors also had an opportunity to visit with staff at two other locally-based agencies: Discipleship Ministries and United Methodist Communications. Rev. Dr. Kim Cape, GBHEM general secretary, led the group on a historical tour of the office building, highlighting the seal of the Board of Education and a picture of the 1952 board of directors. The picture includes women and African-Americans which highlights the agency longstanding focus on diversity. The 10 LEaD Hubs and their executive directors are listed below. More information on global leaders and programs can be found here.

To learn more about GBHEM and its global programs, visit www.gbhem.org. 

African LEaD Hubs

• West Africa: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Executive Director: Dr. Yed Angoran
• Eastern Africa: Maputo, Mozambique
  • Executive Director: Rev. Dr. Jamisse Taimo
• Southern Africa: Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Executive Director: Rev. Dr. Stephen Hendricks

Asian Pacific LEaD Hubs

• Asia Pacific: Seoul, South Korea
  • Executive Director: Rev. Dr. Young Min Paik
• The Philippines and Southeast Asia: Manilla, Philippines
  • Executive Director: TBD

European LEaD Hubs

• Northern Europe and Baltic Area: Stockholm, Sweden
  • Executive Director: Prof. Dr. Michael Nausner
• Western Europe Area: Reutlingen, Germany
  • Executive Director: Prof. Rev. Dr. Ulrike Schuler

Latin American and the Caribbean LEaD Hubs

• Latin America and the Caribbean: Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Executive Director: Lic. Claudia Lombardo
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Sao Paulo, Brazil
  • Executive Director: Prof. Dr. Paulo Garcia 

North American LEaD Hubs

• North America: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Executive Director: Prof. Dr. Mark Davies

About GBHEM: As the leadership development agency of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s mission is to build capacity for United Methodist lay and clergy leaders to discover, claim and flourish in Christ’s calling in their lives, by creating connections and providing resources to aid in recruitment, education, professional development and spiritual formation. Every elder, deacon and licensed local pastor benefits from our training and candidacy programs. Many young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call in their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM.