Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook
holistic understanding of mission encompasses all the work of both agencies and improves our ability to serve and support partners in mission and ministry around the world. Global Ministries and GBHEM’s board met jointly in Atlanta, prior to General Conference; that meeting honored the many contributions of board members who had served during the last quadrennium. Spirit-led worship accompanied the fall Board of Directors meeting, also held jointly, in Nashville. This meeting welcomed new board members, who will serve during the 2025-2028 quadrennium. As we partner in ministry, we will continue to look for ways to better serve the Church, cultivating a call to mission in the hearts and minds of people across the connection. We celebrate our partnership with your Annual Conference and thank you for nurturing and supporting United Methodist lay and clergy leaders throughout the UMC world-wide connection. Respectfully Submitted: Roland Fernandes, General Secretary, GBHEM | GBGM | UMCOR
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Seminaries and Higher Education Institutions Boston University School of Theology
Your partnership, prayers, and support are a cherished gift as BUSTH seeks to serve the church and the world! In a year like 2024, BUSTH’s commitments to equip transformational leaders for peace and justice are more necessary and significant. We are hopeful and vigilant in our continued partnership with you. NEWS: • Students: Our academic year 2024-25 entering class was among our most diverse, with 109 new students enrolling, 33% of whom are international students. • Faculty: In July, Shively T. J. Smith was promoted to Associate Professor of New Testament, and in September we welcomed new faculty member Emilie M. Townes, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Religion and Black Studies. In January we welcomed new Assistant Professor of Religion and Society Luther Young, Jr. • Expanding Online/Hybrid Programming: BUSTH’s first fully online master’s degree—the Master of Religion and Public Leadership (MARPL)—continues to expand since launching in fall 2022. MARPL seeks students who wish to be prepared for leadership roles that creatively engage challenges of public life: bu.edu/sth/marpl . An online Master of Divinity program is planned for Fall 2026. • Faculty Research: Associate Dean Cristian De La Rosa received a second Lilly Endowment Parenting Grant for $1.25 million. Faculty published more than 130 books, scholarly articles, op-eds, presentations, and book reviews during 2024. Many were interviewed by media publications or featured on podcasts for their scholarship in topics such as social justice activism, historical Methodist leaders,
232 Ministry Reports
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