NEWS

Director of Congregational Vitality Announced

The East Ohio Conference Personnel Committee and Bishop John L. Hopkins announce the hiring and appointment of the Rev. Kelly Paul Brown as Director of Congregational Vitality.

Rev. Brown brings many gifts and experiences to his new role.  He has served the East Ohio Conference in many capacities:

• Member of the conference New Church Start Team
• Member of, and assistant facilitator for, the New Church Start Academy
• Church Growth with Integrity Consultant
• Member of the conference Board of Camps and Retreat Ministries, where he served on the Executive Committee and as chairperson of both the Program Committee and the Vision Task Group 
• Member of various district Strategy Teams
• Member of various Ordained Ministry district committees

Rev. Brown’s involvement with the East Ohio Conference began at a young age.  He attended Camp Wanake as a youngster, served on the Conference Council on Youth Ministries as a youth and, as a young adult, served as a Camp Wanake counselor and for several years as a delegate to Annual Conference. 

Prior to his present appointment at LeRoy UMC in Westfield Center, Rev. Brown served East Ohio pastorates at Gay Street UMC, Sycamore/Smithville UMCs, and New Philadelphia Otterbein UMC.  He also served St. Paul UMC in the West Ohio Conference and taught at Red Bird Mission in Kentucky.  Rev. Brown received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary.

It is with great excitement that we welcome Rev. Brown to this position.  He will work closely with Bishop Hopkins and the Cabinet to develop new and innovative ministries across East Ohio.  Together, their efforts will ensure the vitality of East Ohio churches by maturing current disciples while bringing new people to Jesus Christ.