Six New Hires Named for Unified Conference

(Upper row, from left) Rev Meg Witmer-Faile, Rev. Andrew Fiser and Lisa Putnam. (Lower row, from left) Calvin Scott, Shawn-Marie Riley and Deborah Meyer.

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., episcopal leader of the Central and North Texas Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church, along with the CTC and NTC cabinets and the Personnel Committee, has named six clergy and laypeople to positions in the new, unified conference.

On the Multiplication Team, Rev. Meg Witmer-Faile, currently CTC’s associate director of evangelism, mission and church growth, will serve as research and development promoter, building upon the leadership and development work of the three conferences and fostering new and effective ways to multiply Jesus followers. Rev. Danielle Buwon Kim, who currently serves as NTC’s associate director for research and development, will join First UMC Coppell as associate pastor. Both appointments will begin July 1.

Rev. Andrew Fiser, who currently serves as senior pastor at Greenland Hills UMC, will be an associate director in the new conference. In this role, he will support the work of the Care and Healing and Diversity and Cultural Engagement Teams. His new appointment will begin July 1.

In Operations, Lisa Putnam, currently IT manager in NTC, has been named IT manager for the new conference; and Calvin Scott, who currently serves as IT coordinator and archivist in CTC, has been hired as the IT analyst and archivist. Their work in these new positions begins January 1, 2025.

Shawn-Marie Riley, who currently serves as benefits administrator in CTC, has been hired as the benefits administrator in the new conference; and Deborah Meyer, currently NTC’s executive assistant to the bishop, has been named the conference executive administrative assistant. Their work in these roles will begin January 1, 2025.

"I am grateful for the dedication shown by these current team members, who have generously agreed to share their gifts and expertise with our new conference," said Saenz. "Their collective knowledge, skills and experience will help us start our work together on a strong footing, as we strive to multiply the number of Jesus followers, champion children and youth, maximize care and healing, pursue and embrace diversity and tell our story."

As additional positions open within the new conference, they will continue to be published by the CTC, NTC and NWTX teams, to be filled by individuals that have the knowledge and enthusiasm to establish a strong, unified conference.

More information about the unification process can be found here.

Published: Friday, April 19, 2024