The Wesley Foundation in Ann Arbor introduces a new Chaplain/Director, the Rev. Timothy Kobler.
Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan is pleased to announce the hiring of our new Chaplain/Director, effective July 1, 2018: Rev. Timothy Kobler.
Tim is a native of Marion, Illinois, located in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference. He graduated in 1988 from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a degree in Music Education with a vocal emphasis. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1991. He has served in full-time ministry in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church for 25 years.
Tim felt God’s call early on in his undergraduate studies, with a desire to serve in higher education and campus ministry. Following his seminary studies, Tim served in three local parish appointment, which helped prepare him for the time when he could serve as a collegiate minister. He has served in collegiate ministry for 16 years. He was the Chaplain at Emory & Henry College in Emory, Virginia from 2002-2008. Most recently, Tim has served as the Director and Chaplain of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville from 2008-2018.
Social justice, inclusion, and community involvement are vital aspects of his life and ministry. Tim has been an active organizer for the Reconciling United Methodists of the Holston Conference, providing opportunities for education, worship, and community action. He has also been involved with the Faith Coalition of Knoxville, which provides education to faith communities for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the reduction of stigma for those living with the disease. He helped with the development of a Holston Conference retreat ministry, “Strength for the Journey,” for women and men living with HIV/AIDS in 1997, and has been an active part of the staff and board for this ministry. Interfaith Worker Justice and Bridge Refugee Services have also been an important part of his work.
As a member of the Coordinating Committee for the United Methodist Campus Minister’s Association, he has worked to provide advocacy for campus ministers and to help plan continuing education events with other collegiate ministry leaders to help resource others for effective ministry.
Tim has two children, Clara and Andrew. Clara is a graduate of The College of William and Mary, with a degree in English and Italian. She is continuing her studies with the New York Teaching Fellowship program, where she will work toward her master’s degree in special education. She will marry her high school sweetheart in October of this year. Andrew will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University in the College of Engineering.
In addition to his avid love of music, Tim enjoys weightlifting, hiking, cooking, and travel. He has also been a beekeeper for 19 years, and he’s looking forward to establishing some new hives in Michigan.
Last Updated on November 10, 2023