Aligned to Grow, Equip, Connect

“The mission of Susquehanna Conference is to:

grow spiritual transformational leaders,

equip vital congregations and create new places for new people, 

and connect with each other and the world

so that alive in Christ together, the Susquehanna Conference will 

embody the beloved community of disciple making congregations.”

(Mission and Vision of the Susquehanna Conference)

Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Susquehanna Conference,

 Grace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Healer of our brokenness, and Hope of the world!

It is with joy and excitement that I share with you that the Rev. Kevin Witt, presently Director of Camp/Retreat and Discipleship Ministries for the Susquehanna Conference, will assume the position of Director of Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders. In this new position, Kevin will not only continue to work with his current responsibilities but will also expand his ministry to establishing new avenues for the growth of clergy and laity as spiritual transformational leaders. This position will become effective September 1, 2018.

The creation of this new position brings to fruition the alignment of our conference mission and vision that both the Cabinet, through the Leadership Report, and I spoke about at this past Annual Conference. Kevin will work collaboratively with Kay Kotan, Director of Equipping Vital Congregations and Jason Mackey, Director of Connecting Ministries. This position has been created by using existing conference funds and does not add any additional costs to the Conference Plan for Funding Ministry.

Rev. Witt is well equipped to lead this area of our mission and vision. For more than 20 years, he has been on staff with Discipleship Ministries (formerly General Board of Discipleship) as the Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries. Kevin’s ministry includes consultation, training, networking, and strengthening the missional effectiveness of staff, volunteers, and boards who led camping and retreat ministries throughout the United Methodist Church. Along with the other Discipleship Ministries staff, Kevin has been developing resources for leadership development and ways to encourage and equip spiritual transformational leaders.

Kevin is a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and earned a Master of Divinity Degree from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. He coauthored The Retreat Leader’s Manual with Nancy Ferguson and also developed Twists of Faith: Ministry with Youth at the Turning Points of Their Lives with Marcey Balcomb and Practicing Spiritual Leadership: Devotional Series.

Rev. Witt will be a member of the Extended Cabinet. The Extended Cabinet includes the Seven District Superintendents, Directors of the three Offices of Growing, Equipping and Connecting, Conference Treasurer/Comptroller, Conference Lay Leader, and Assistants to the Bishop. The Extended Cabinet works together with me to ensure that goals and objectives of the conference are fulfilled according to our mission and vision. I know that you will continue to lift the Cabinet in prayer as well as our entire Annual Conference as we move forward together in making disciples for the transformation of the world.

Your prayers and support for Kevin would be greatly appreciated. Truly God has gifted this Annual Conference with amazing leaders for such a time as this. I’m so grateful to be a part of this team and our beloved Susquehanna Annual Conference.

With You in Christ’s Ministry,
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park