A New Beginning
By Gil Hanke

This has been an exciting, emotional, and challenging few weeks. I have resigned from my jobs in Texas, packed up what I needed from my home and offices and have begun a new career as the general secretary of GCUMM. As I have said goodbyes to many close and wonderful friends from church and work, I have been humbled by their kind words and actions.

During this time of transition, I have also grieved for Haiti. As many of you know, I have led about 20 teams to Haiti over the last 25 years, and so the destruction is very hard to watch. I have applied to return to Haiti on a Volunteer-in-Mission team as soon as possible.

My journey to Nashville has been wonderfully planned and supported by our grace-filled staff and members of the commission. Just to make sure I knew I was leaving the heat of Texas, they arranged to have a snow storm in Nashville 48 hours before I arrived; so thoughtful. They really have been great and are helping me a great deal.

I am so honored to have this opportunity to serve God and to serve the men and their families of the UMC. Our ministry for, to and through men is vital to its participants and to this great church.

As you know, men´s ministry is the hardest task facing the church today. As a group, regardless of age, we are stubborn, isolated and lack close relationships that hold us accountable to our spiritual growth. But, I see that our Wesleyan heritage prepares us for the tasks ahead.

Wesley saw in his studies of the Bible that balance of needs that are so vital for us today.

On one hand is the need for spiritual growth and renewal that is a journey rather than a moment in time.

On the other hand are needed actions of love, mercy and social justice. Both place us where we need to be as men, as a valued agency, and as a church. Our focus will continue to be on helping men see that the leader that God calls them to become has that Wesleyan balance of a growing faith and action.

I am here to serve you and this great church. I want and need to hear from you. I want and need to hear your struggles and your stories of success. I have been where you are, and I may not have the answers, but with His guidance, I am sure we will find our way together. May God bless our work for His Kingdom.

Striving to be His servant,

Gilbert C. Hanke, general secretary General Commission on UM Men GHanke@gcumm.org

Fall Conference 2009 - Will be hosted by Jones Memorial UMC at 2504 Almeda Genoa Road Houston, TX on September 26, 2009 from 8:00AM to 3:00PM click here

Men's Ministry Specialist Online Course with exams - available at GCUMM.org