Report of the General Secretary April 2015

We Have Strong Reason to Hope

I. Global Health

…We have strong reason to hope that the work God hath begun, [God] will carry on unto the day of the Lord Jesus; that [God] will never intermit this blessed work of [God’s] Spirit, until [God] has fulfilled all [God’s] promises, until [God] hath put a period to sin, and misery, and infirmity, and death; and re-established universal holiness and happiness, and cause all the inhabitants of the earth to sing together, “Hallelujah, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!” (Rev. 7:12)

Why Global Health Now?

I.i.Organizational Reasons UMC leadership responsibilities Atlanta partnership opportunities

Global Health Community based health Imagine No Malaria Health systems strengthening U.S. Health SPSARV Global Health UMCOR Missionary Services

I.ii. Contextual Reasons Collaboration Convergence by 2035 The UMC context

If we get it right, convergence in health is possible by 2035 Source: The Lancet Commission Convergence targets

Global Health Challenges Protecting children and disadvantaged adults from preventable causes of death and disease Low income countries High income countries

Contextual Reasons What’s the UMC health cause after malaria?

Participatory Visioning: Survey 5,224 responses 59 countries 50 bishops

International: Maternal and Child Health Water and sanitation Hunger and nutrition Access to healthcare U.S.: Mental Health Non-communicable diseases Substance abuse Aging and the elderly Survey Results: The Top Health Challenges

Promises to: Promote safe births for all mothers and their children Address nutritional challenges and promote breastfeeding Advance prevention and treatment of childhood killer diseases Increase availability of lifesaving vaccines, medicines and commodities Encourage engagement in health promoting activities, such as exercise

We pledge to reach one million children with lifesaving interventions by 2020

Healthy Congregations, Healthy Communities Partners: Global Ministries, Pension & Health Benefits, Wesley Theological Seminary U.S. Health Forum September 9-10 Houston, Texas Hosted by Methodist Health and St. Paul UMC

Six components: Churches with healing ministries: community outreach Church with a congregational focus: internal emphases Hospital-based community engagement General agencies with health and wellness programs Theological seminary/academia-based community health outreach Spiritual healing ministries

II. New Operational Plan

II.i. Regional Offices

Role of the Regional Offices: Identify and connect with local partners Build relationships across the regions Identify and connect local initiatives with the broad range of programs and resources offered by the agency Facilitate access to regional networks of mission relationships by other agencies, conferences and local churches enabling the establishment of additional partnerships.

II.ii. Staff Considerations

Survey of Professional/Executive Staff

80% of Executive/Professional staff want to be considered for invitation

Support Staff Job search readiness program Skill-building IT courses In-person and online coaching Leadership skill-building Anticipated Retirees Pension & Health Benefit Advisement (workshops and one-on-one)

Transition Teams Regional Office Team Staff Advisory Team Atlanta Logistics &Technical Team

January 11, 2015

March 17, 2015

…We have strong reason to hope that the work God hath begun, [God] will carry on unto the day of the Lord Jesus; that [God] will never intermit this blessed work of [God’s] Spirit, until [God] has fulfilled all [God’s] promises, until [God] hath put a period to sin, and misery, and infirmity, and death; and re-established universal holiness and happiness, and cause all the inhabitants of the earth to sing together, Hallelujah.