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December 8, 2014

Appointment Announcements

  Rev. Lowell Greathouse Rev. Stephan Ross

Bishop Grant Hagiya has made the following appointment announcements:

It is my joy to announce the July 1, 2015 appointment of Rev. Lowell Greathouse to the new position and role of Conference Coordinator for Mission and Ministry. As many of you know, our present staff have been trying to cover all the responsibilities of a vibrant annual conference with a reduced staff and resources, and it has proven to be untenable in terms of time management and stress. With a vastly improved annual conference budget, we are able to add this key position that was eliminated when the annual conference was faced with a financial crisis. It is with thanks to God and all of our local churches that we are in a much better financial state.
 
Lowell will bring his gifts of deep reflection and analysis, coupled with the ability to get things done to this new position. I can think of no person better equipped, and better versed in the life of the church, who has the talents and gifts necessary to be effective in this new role. We do face some challenges in this new position, as we do not have the funding for a support staff person, and there are limited program resources. So, we ask for your prayers for Lowell, as we live into a new structure for the life of our annual conference. I am grateful to Lowell for undertaking this new challenge, and I know he will make the best of this opportunity.
 
I would also like to announce that starting July 1, 2015, the Rev. Stephan Ross will take on the Superintending role for the churches of the Gorge area of Oregon. With the realignment of the districts in 2012, this expansion of the Columbia District has proven to be a difficult challenge, and this will enable us to meet the needs of our Gorge churches and Columbia District with greater effectiveness.
 
Steve is well acquainted with these churches, having served them as a former District Superintendent, and also as a consultant. This new assignment will not affect Steve’s main focus as Director of the Vital Church Project.
 
With both of these new appointments, I feel that we will better serve our entire annual conference and especially our local churches.
 
Bishop Grant J. Hagiya
Greater NW Episcopal Area

Learn more about the new leadership roles on the conference website.

 
Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference Conference Center - 1505 SW 18th Avenue - Portland, Oregon, 97201-2524
503-226-7931 or 1-800-JWesley (800-593-7539)
Boldly Making Disciples of Jesus Christ ~ Vitalizing the Church ~ Transforming the World