Two top Global Ministries officers will serve as co-executives of The United Methodist Committee on Relief.
ATLANTA, Ga. (June 20, 2018) – Leaders of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) have chosen to make permanent an interim arrangement in which two top Global Ministries’ officers serve as co-executive directors of UMCOR. Thomas Kemper, general secretary of Global Ministries, and Roland Fernandes, chief operating officer of Global Ministries, have served in these operational capacities for some time and have now been named as co-executive directors of UMCOR. The appointments have been affirmed by the UMCOR board of directors.
The General Board of Global Ministries is the worldwide mission agency of The United Methodist Church. Founded in New York City in 1819, Global Ministries today supports more than 300 missionaries in 60 countries, including the United States.
Founded in 1940, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the global humanitarian aid and development agency of The United Methodist Church. UMCOR is working in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the United States.
The two executives will work together in leadership with each having designated areas of responsibility.
In his role as co-executive director, Kemper will be responsible for UMCOR’s international disaster relief (IDR) efforts. He will remain as the general secretary and top executive of Global Ministries. He is responsible for personnel, projects and mission partnerships in more than 130 countries.
In his role as co-executive director Fernandes, he will be responsible for UMCOR’s United States Disaster Response (USDR) unit and sustainable development programs. He will remain as chief operating officer and general treasurer of Global Ministries. He is responsible for the financial operations of the agency and administration of its projects.
“Time and again, UMCOR has risen to the challenges associated with devastating disaster and environmental situations thanks to the generosity of the people of The United Methodist Church and the leadership of Thomas Kemper and Roland Fernandes,” said Bishop Thomas Bickerton, UMCOR board president. “The interim arrangement with Kemper and Fernandes has proven to be both efficient and economical. We are pleased to have them continue their important work with this connectional ministry that gives people from throughout The United Methodist Church and beyond a meaningful way to help those in need.”
“The members of the Global Ministries board of directors join me in thanking Thomas and Roland for accepting this appointment with UMCOR while continuing to serve in their other capacities,” said Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, president of the Global Ministries board. “We know that under their careful stewardship UMCOR will continue to have the same impact it has had on the world as it has for the past 78 years.”
Last Updated on August 9, 2018