Equip Strategy Team
Equipping lay and clergy leaders who shape congregations that offer Jesus Christ to a hurting world, one neighborhood at a time.
Equip Ministry Teams
Click headings for information about the groups
Board of Camping & Retreat Ministries
Since the 1930’s, Methodists in the legacy Memphis and Tennessee conferences have dedicated themselves to creating spaces where children, youth, and adults can connect with God and one another, through appreciation and care for God’s creation.
Today, under the leadership of the Board of Camp & Retreat Ministries, the vision of early Methodists continues to thrive through our ministries with
- Beersheba Springs Assembly in Grundy County.
- Cedar Crest Camp in Hickman County.
Chair: Rev. John Hill
Board of Higher Education & Campus Ministry
The Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry supports and promotes the work of United Methodist ministries in higher education throughout the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference.
The Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference proudly supports campus ministries in 15 colleges and universities in West Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and Western Kentucky.
Chair: Susan Graham
Board of Laity
The ministry of the laity flows from a commitment to Christ’s outreaching love. Lay members of The United Methodist Church are, by history and calling, active advocates of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every layperson is called to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20); every layperson is called to be missional. The witness of the laity, their Christ-like examples of everyday living as well as the sharing of their own faith experiences of the gospel, is the primary evangelistic ministry through which all people will come to know Christ and The United Methodist Church will fulfill its mission.
The conference board of laity works to strengthen the role of the laity within the local congregation and their ministries in the home, workplace, community, and world.
Lay Leader: Janice McCallen
Board of Ordained Ministry
The Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) has responsibilities for the recruitment of those discerning a call to ministry in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church. The BOM seeks nurture, support, and journey with those who respond to God’s call to professional ministry as an Elder, Deacon, Licensed Local Pastor, or other certified and licensed ministry paths.
The BOM works in collaborations with the cabinet and other conference ministries to study and interpret the leadership needs of congregations and equip ordained, licensed, certified, and assigned ministerial leadership to fulfill the mission of Christ in the world.
Chair: Rev. Dr. Mary Beth Bernheisel
Committee on Safe Spaces
The Safe Spaces Ministry seeks to equip and resource local churches in preventing and mitigating risk. Several resources are available to churches and can be found in the Resource Hub on this site.
Youth Ministry Team
The Youth Ministry Team oversees the conference youth ministry events, addresses the immediate pressure points facing the conference youth ministry, establishes a consensus for the direction of the youth ministry responding to emerging transitional needs and issues, and supports the youth ministry infrastructure.
In September 2025, we entered into a partnership with the Ministry Leadership Center (MLC), which will provide strategic leadership, marketing support, and operational assistance for conference-wide youth initiatives.
Co-coordinator: Rev. Amanda Hartmann Westmoreland
Co-coordinator: Jordan Littrell
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