For over 30 years, GBOD has been on the

A B O U T G B O D For over 30 years, GBOD has been on the journey of making disciples for Jesus Christ. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD helps local church, district, and conference leaders fulfill the shared dream of making world-changing disciples. The agency connects leaders with needed resourcing, training, consulting, and networking that support spiritual formation, new church development, revitalization of local churches, and materials for use in Central Conferences. GBOD has embarked upon an integrated, strategic direction that serves the church with continuity, based upon basic values and mission. Every product, service, and ministry of GBOD begins with the mission of equipping world-changing disciples of Jesus Christ. GBOD is also harnessing its energies and those of its partners and colleagues to address important issues facing the church and the world. And for a world that is clearly in need of transformation, GBOD faithfully provides a wealth of learning opportunities for all areas of discipleship. F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n, v i s i t w w w. G B O D. o r g. 1908 Grand Avenue P.O. Box 340003 Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0003 (877) 899-2780

G B O D F A C T S H E E T GBOD is one of fourteen international agencies of The United Methodist Church, based in Nashville, Tennessee. GBOD has nearly 200 employees that resource The United Methodist Church in the areas of new church starts, leadership development, Christian education, spiritual formation, worship, stewardship, evangelism, and other areas. All age groups are resourced children through older adults. Established in 1972, GBOD s primary purpose is to assist annual conferences, districts, and 35,000 local churches of various membership sizes and settings in their efforts to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. GBOD is comprised of several divisions, including Leadership Ministries, Young People s Ministries, New Church Starts (Path1), Upper Room Ministries, and External Connectional Relations and Strategic Initiatives. The agency produces high quality resources for local churches, church leaders, individuals, and networks throughout the denomination, and ecumenically through Upper Room Ministries. The Upper Room daily devotional guide is published in over 40 languages and more than 80 editions reaching 2.5 million people daily in 100 countries. It is the most widely read devotional in the world. GBOD conducts over 50 major events each year and trains thousands of church leaders in the U. S., and internationally. GBOD helps give theological guidance to the denomination s Sunday School and other types of curriculum. The agency publishes several magazines and more than 50 books annually through Upper Room Ministries. It has three book imprints: Upper Room Books, Fresh Air Books and Discipleship Resources.

K A R E N G R E E N W A L D T General Secretary, GBOD (CEO) Karen Greenwaldt became general secretary of GBOD January 1, 2001. Previously she served as associate general secretary, administrator, and team leader of the Discipleship Ministries Unit of GBOD. She is a clergy member of the Central Texas Conference. Karen joined the GBOD staff in 1981 to serve as director of Church Leader Development and then as director of Education and Ministries with Young Adults and Single Adults. Before joining the Board staff in 1981, Karen served as associate council director for the Central Texas Conference. She also served as an associate pastor and as a hospital chaplain. Karen was a delegate to the 2004 General Conference and to the 2004 South Central Jurisdictional Conference. She is actively affiliated with East End United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee, where she holds various leadership positions, including teaching an adult Sunday school class and chairing the Finance Committee. Karen has authored Singles Care One for Another, For Everything There Is a Season, and Organizing in the Small Membership Church. In addition, she has a long list of published articles related to the vision and mission of the church. She preaches, delivers plenary addresses, leads small group conversations, and consults with church leaders around the world. Karen is a bead and fabric artist specializing in one-of-a-kind dolls, art quilts, beaded boxes, flowers, and jewelry. An avid reader and gardener, Karen enjoys engaging in conversation with young adults who do not associate in organized religious experiences. She has a Master in Theology degree from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, and a Bachelor of Science from McMurry College. She is married to Russell Harris, a full-time studio potter.

V A N C E P. R O S S Associate General Secretary, GBOD Discipleship Ministries Division Vance P. Ross was appointed Deputy General Secretary of GBOD in 2008. In this capacity he leads, External Connectional Relations and Strategic Initiatives (ECRSI), a newly formed unit of GBOD that fosters partnerships to extend the mission of the GBOD and The United Methodist Church. Prior to this appointment, Ross was an associate general secretary, providing leadership to the Family and Life-Span/Hispanic Latino Ministries Team, Congregational and Conference Leaders Teams and the Office of Operations. He previously served as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church, Hyattsville, Maryland. This multicultural congregation experienced 43% growth in worship attendance, 100% growth adult Bible study, and new ministries. The Shalom School After School for the Arts ministry grew to serve more than 300 youth and children in arts classes. Ross served as GBOD s director of evangelism in Racial Ethnic New Faith Communities and as director of Small Group Ministries. Under his leadership, GBOD initiated the Convocation for Pastors of African American Churches. He also served Simpson Memorial Church in Charleston, West Virginia and the Trinity Benton Ferry Charge in Fairmont, West Virginia. While a member of the West Virginia Annual Conference, he was elected to the 1992 General and Jurisdictional Conference delegations. In 1996, he served as first alternate to the General Conference and was elected to the Jurisdictional Conference. Ross also served on the General Commission for the Status and Role of Women from 1992-1994; vice chair of the West Virginia Board of Ordained Ministry from 1992-1996; member of the West Virginia Committee on the Episcopacy from 1988-94; and as a member of the West Virginia Commission on Religion and Race from 1985-88. Ross serves as clergy staff at Hobson United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He is often a featured preacher/teacher across the nation and connection. He was a contributor to the book, 365 Meditations for Men, 2001 Upper Room Disciplines, and Growing the African American Church. A proud native of Bluefield, West Virginia, Ross was educated in Bluefield public schools and earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Government/Youth Services from West Virginia Wesleyan College. He attended Gammon Theological Seminary (ITC) where he graduated with honors. Ross is the father of three children: Alyssa, Bryant, and Krystina. His grandchildren are Christopher Bryant and Jaylie Alyssa Harris.

S A R A W I L K E Associate General Secretary, GBOD Upper Room Ministries Division Sarah Wilke joined GBOD as head of Upper Room Ministries in July, 2009. Previously, she was head of UMR Communications where she was the first woman to hold the CEO position in the 157-year history of the organization. Prior to her appointment at UMR Communications, Sarah served as the North Texas Annual Conference s urban strategist for four years. Her accomplishments included launching Project Transformation, a $1.3 million initiative that serves inner-city children. A graduate of the University of Kansas, she completed the Executive Master of Business Administration program at Southern Methodist University in May 2004. In 2000, she was selected Administrator of the Year for community-based ministries by the United Methodist Association. Before serving the North Texas Annual Conference, Sarah was the executive director of the Wesley-Rankin Community Center in West Dallas for 14 years, transforming the United Methodist mission into a potent outreach to youths and their families. In 2000, she was honored with the designation of the Sarah Wilke Youth Center at Benito Juarez City Park in Dallas by the Wesley-Rankin board. She came to the community center after 14 months in the U.S. Peace Corps, helping Costa Rican women develop small cooperative businesses. While there she became fluent in Spanish. Sarah is the daughter of retired United Methodist Bishop Richard Wilke and his wife, Julia, founders of the successful Disciple Bible Study series.

M I C H A E L G L E N N R A T L I F F Associate General Secretary, GBOD Division on Ministries with Young People Michael Glenn Ratliff was named associate general secretary of the Division on Ministries with Young People effective January 1, 2007. Created by the 2004 General Conference, the division works with local churches, annual conferences, jurisdictions, and central conferences on issues related to young people. Ratliff was previously an associate pastor with youth and their families at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, where he served since 1995. His work there involved a large staff and volunteer team ministering to hundreds of youth every week. He also directed Crossties, a leadership consulting and training initiative, for those who minister with young people. He has served in similar positions in churches in Georgia and Florida. Ratliff has worked in youth and young adult ministry for over 30 years, served as faculty teaching youth ministry courses at Iliff School of Theology for three years, and has taught a variety of courses for the Perkins School of Youth Ministry. An accomplished author, workshop leader and curriculum developer, Ratliff s writings include the books Sacred Challenge and Sacred Bridges and articles in Church Leader, Youth Net, Circuit Rider, Children s Leader, and various web resources. He has also developed curriculum for Faith and Sexuality, Let s Be Real, Confirmation Times, and Combo s. He holds a Certificate of Practical Theology and Youth Ministry from Princeton Seminary, a Master of Arts in Christian education from Scarritt College, and a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Georgia Southern University. Reverend Ratliff is an ordained deacon, certified minister of youth, and certified minister of education from the Rocky Mountain Conference.

G A R Y S H O C K L E Y Executive Officer for New Church Starts, GBOD The Rev. Gary Shockley has been serving as a pastor in the United Methodist Church since the age of 18. His passion for fruitful ministry over the years as pastor, fund-raising consultant and leadership coach has resulted in revitalizing existing congregations and planting two new communities of faith. Gary believes the best days of our church are yet ahead of us and is excited to be part of a team that will re-imagine what it means to be the church as we seek to re-evangelize our new United States. Gary is the author of two books focused on spiritual leadership and congregational development: The Meandering Way-Leading by Following the Spirit (2007) and Imagining Church: Seeing Hope In a World of Change (2009) which he co-wrote with his wife Kim, both published by Alban Institute. Gary and Kim have two sons, Aaron and Jake.

M A R Y J A N E P I E R C E N O R T O N Associate General Secretary, GBOD Leadership Ministries (Discipleship Ministries Division) MaryJane Pierce Norton serves as Associate General Secretary for Leadership Ministries. She served previously at GBOD as Director of Children s Ministries from 1981 to 1993, Trainer in Quest from 1993 to 1996, and Director of Family Ministries from 1997 to 2008. Prior to coming to GBOD, she was Director of Christian Education at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. MaryJane is an ordained deacon in the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. She teaches Sunday school, plans the intergenerational Sunday school sessions, and serves as part of the worship team at West Nashville UMC. Pierce Norton is the author of several books, including Your Baby Is for Loving (Abingdon, 2005); Questions Parents Ask About Confirmation: A Handbook (Cokesbury, 2004.); Faithful Future Vol. 2: Teaching and Learning for Discipleship (Discipleship Resources, 2003); The Ministry of Christian Education and Formation: A Practical Guide for Your Congregation, Making God Real for a New Generation, co-edited with Craig Miller, (Discipleship Resources, 2002) and several articles, books and study guides. MaryJane holds a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Scarritt College, a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from The University of Memphis, and a Bachelor of Arts from Lyon College.

G B O D M I N I S T R I E S Leadership Ministries offers resources for supporting and developing leaders in all areas of The United Methodist Church s life, including worship, Christian education, congregational development, evangelism, small groups, congregational and conference leadership, covenant discipleship, racial/ethnic ministries, and stewardship. Young People s Ministries connects young people and those in ministries with young people to one another, to the church, and to God. Empowering young people as world-changing disciples of Jesus Christ, Young People s Ministries equips and networks young leaders across the church. Upper Room Ministries is a global ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual formation of Christians seeking to know and experience God more fully. Upper Room publishes books and magazines and provides programs, prayer support, and other resources to help believers of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service. New Church Starts (Path 1) is a team of leaders drawn from national, regional and local levels of The United Methodist Church whose mission is to train and equip new church planters who will start new congregations throughout the United States. External Connectional Relations and Strategic Initiatives Team (ECRSI) works to relate annual conference and district leaders, local church pastors as well as other levels of connectional clergy and lay leaders to GBOD-for initial and continued support-by introducing services, collaborating to better understand needs and then innovating so that specific needs are addressed.