Office of Connectional Ministries

The Covenant Council Staff works with all the churches of the Annual Conference at a no cost basis in order to empower the church for its disciple making ministries.  The staff is available to:

• Communicate
• Consult and Facilitate
• Educate
• Interpret
• Motivate

Arrangements for the use of staff in the local church can be made directly with each staff person or through the office of the Council Director.   Phone - 1-800-788-3746 or click on names for e-mail.

William Wilson - Council Director/Assistant to Bishop - Ordained Elder

• Cabinet
• Assistant to Bishop
• Head of Staff
• Personnel Committee
• Rules Committee
• Episcopacy Committee
• Nominations Committee
• Conference Program Committee
• Council of Churches
• Sexual Misconduct Team
• Global Ministries
• Teaching spiritual formation/spiritual discipline and workshops 

J. F. Lacaria, Director of Leadership Formation and Ministry Support   - Ordained Deacon

• Board of Ordained Ministry
• Interview Teams/ Cont. Education
• Enlistment /Residency
• Local Pastors School / Licensing School
• MEF/Asbury Loan Fund
• Psychological Background Assoc.
• Candidacy/Probationary Membership
• District Committees
• Training of Candidacy /Mentors
• Seminary Recruitment

Thomas Burger, Director of Communications - Diaconal Minister 

• Publish conference newspaper    
• Develop video resources
• Communication issues consultant
• Local church planning retreats and consultations
• Dismantling Racism Training

Donald R. Keller, Director of Camping, Youth/Young Adult Ministries - Ordained Elder

• Director of Spring Heights Education Center
• Outdoor Christian Education issues
• Small group ministry in the church
• Personality and Ministry workshops
• Leadership development workshops/retreats    

Amy Shanholtzer, Director of Evangelism & Congregational Development  -  Ordained Elder

• Evangelism workshops
• New Church Starts
• Congregational Redevelopment
• Incubators
• Natural Church Development (NCD)
• Coaching

Thomasina S. Stewart, Director of Ethnic Ministries - Local Pastor

• Communities of Shalom Coordinator
• Ethnic ministries
• Racial sensitivity/monitoring for inclusiveness
• Dismantling Racism Training

Administrative Staff

Chris Ridgway, Council Admin. Assistant          

• Office Manager

• Maintains Conference calendar

• Maintains files, list and correspondence for Bill Wilson and JF Lacaria

• Coordinates arrangements for Council meetings

• Serves as communications link between local churches and staff

Mary L. Mayes, AV Librarian 

• Maintains and records Audio-Visual aides

• Assist Director of Communications with production of copies of tapes for distribution and sale

• Maintains Audio-Visual catalog

• Monitors audio equipment

Barbara McDowell, Communications Admin. Assistant  

• Assistant to Tom Burger

• Editorial Assistant - Conference newspaper

• Webmaster - Conference website

• E-mail communications

• Missional support staff person

Lacie Atkins, Central Service Office - 

• Coordinates bulk mailings
• Processes mail and manages mail room
• Part-time assistant to Thomasina Stewart
• Other administrative duties