NASHVILLE:  United Methodist Communications has named the Rev. Gary R. Henderson executive director of the new Global Health Initiative.

The Global Health Initiative is a long-term interagency effort to raise awareness and understanding of global health issues, to engage participation and create support across the denomination for expanding health ministry, and to significantly reduce illness and mortality related to diseases of poverty such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. 

The General Board of Global Ministries, General Board of Church and Society, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and United Methodist Communications are partners in the initiative, among others.

“In order to achieve global scale, a wide-reaching communications and health education effort is needed to support the health ministries of the denomination,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. “Rev. Henderson has the kind of visionary leadership and global perspective necessary to mobilize the church and move this initiative forward. His communication skills, corporate world experience, and passion for global health issues make him ideal for this role.”

As executive director, Henderson will work with the Global Health Initiative Steering Committee to develop a communications and fund raising strategy, work to create partnerships to expand the reach of the church, and collaborate with other agencies involved in global health issues.

“We have a changing global identity as Christians. We must not only see the rest of the world, but also embrace the rest of the world,” said Rev. Henderson.  “I hear so clearly the opportunity to make a real difference as we gather people around a common vision and continue to dream about what can and should be.”

A member of the General Commission on Communications with more than 20 years pastoral experience, Henderson has been senior pastor of East Shore United Methodist Church in Euclid, Ohio since 2001.  He is a member of the World Methodist Council and its Executive Committee, former Conference Secretary of the East Ohio Annual Conference, and chairperson of the East Ohio Conference Board of Communications. Before he was led to ministry, Henderson worked in chemical sales becoming Sales Representative of the Year with $20 million dollars in annual sales.

A native of Jackson, Mississippi and a graduate of Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, with a B.A. in Biology, Henderson studied at the Interdenominational Theological Center, the Gammon Seminary in Atlanta, where in 1986, he earned the Master of Divinity degree.