Cynthia Wilson Named Associate General Secretary at Discipleship Ministries

NASHVILLE, Tenn. December 5, 2016 /Discipleship Ministries/ – The Rev. Dr. Cynthia A. Wilson, assistant vice president of student life and dean of students at Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary, has been named Associate General Secretary (AGS) of Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church.

Rev. Junius B. Dotson, General Secretary (CEO) of Discipleship Ministries, said Wilson will lead Leadership Ministries, a unit at the agency. She will assume her new position on Feb. 1.

“Dr. Wilson is a proven leader. She is a creative and innovative thinker and has a great vision for how to reach people who are not currently connected to the church,” Dotson said. “She will bring passion and a new energy to the task of discipleship.”

At Garrett-Evangelical, Wilson launched the Center for Music and Worship in the Black Church Experience, a one-of-a-kind North American institute that provides training in the sacred music of the black church and beyond to musicians and worship leaders.

“Over the past four decades, I have observed the impressive ways in which Discipleship Ministries has equipped 21^st century church leaders in global faith communities,” Wilson said. “During this time, it has been my distinct honor to collaborate with Discipleship Ministries on several special projects that have inspired spiritual growth, cultural competence and vigorous discipleship efforts within the general church.

“In this season of visioning and vital transformation, I look forward to being in partnership with our General Secretary along with the Leadership Ministries team,” she said.

A gifted and award-winning singer, Wilson’s music ministry journey includes a benefit concert for Africa University at Carnegie Hall in New York City sponsored by the New York Annual Conference and hosted by the late Ossie Davis, and being guest soloist for the World Methodist Council at Washington Cathedral.

Wilson was appointed Dean of Students in 2012 after having served as interim dean at Garrett-Evangelical in Evanston, Illinois. She is an ordained deacon under extension ministry appointment in the Great Plains Annual Conference.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education at Dillard University, a Master of Sacred Music degree from Perkins School of Theology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Liturgical Studies degree from Garrett-Evangelical.

Ken Sloane, who has served as interim AGS for the past year, will return fulltime to his position as Director of Stewardship and Connectional Ministries at the agency. He had served as interim since the retirement of former AGS MaryJane Pierce Norton, who retired in October 2015.

The mission of Discipleship Ministries is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, Discipleship Ministries is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.UMCdiscipleship.org, the Press Center at www.UMCdiscipleship.org/about/press-center or call the Communications Office at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 1726.

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