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News

Ratliff to Lead Young People’s Ministries

(December 13, 2006, GBOD) --The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) has named the Reverend Michael Glenn Ratliff to lead its Division on Ministries with Young People, effective January 1, 2007.

Reverend Ratliff will serve as the associate general secretary of the Division on Ministries with Young People.

Created by the 2004 General Conference, the division works with local churches, annual conferences, jurisdictions, and central conferences on issues related to young people.

“We are excited about the energy and direction Michael will bring to the work we do with young people, including a wealth of experience in youth and young adult ministries and a deep passion for this work,” said the Reverend Karen Greenwaldt, top executive of the General Board of Discipleship.

Ratliff presently serves as associate pastor with youth and their families at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, where he has served since 1995. He supervises eight paid staff and 75-80 volunteers. In addition, he founded and directs Crossties, a leadership consulting and training initiative for young people’s ministries.

“Mike’s passion for ministry with youth and young adults strengthens both the church and GBOD’s commitment to making world-changing disciples of Christ -- now and in the future,” says Bishop Michael J. Coyner, president of the GBOD’s Board of Directors and bishop of the Indiana Area.

Ratliff believes the position with DMYP will provide an opportunity to make a greater impact in the area of youth and young adult ministry. "I am eager to begin my work with the talented staff and dedicated members of the Division on Ministry with Young People,” said the Rev. Ratliff.

“The dreams of many people established this new division with great hopes of changing our world through the lives of young disciples of Jesus Christ. As we live into this future, my hope is to see this dream become reality."

He has served in similar positions with Roswell UMC in Roswell, Georgia.; Trinity UMC in Gainesville, Florida; and First UMC in Kissimmee, Florida.

Ratliff has worked in youth and young adult ministry for more than 25 years, served as faculty, teaching youth ministry courses at Iliff School of Theology for three years, and has taught a variety of courses for the Perkins School of Youth Ministry.

An accomplished author, workshop leader, and curriculum developer, Ratliff’s writings include Sacred Challenge, Sacred Bridges, articles in Church Leader, Youth Net, Circuit Rider, Children’s Leader and various web resources.

He has also developed curriculum for Faith and Sexuality, Let’s Be Real, Confirmation Times, and Combo’s.

He holds the master of arts in Christian education from Scarritt College, and a bachelor of arts in business administration from Georgia Southern University. The Rev. Ratliff is an ordained deacon, certified minister of youth, and a certified minister of education from the Rocky Mountain Conference.

This article was written by by Jeanette Pinkston, Media Relations Director for the General Board of Discipleship.