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News

Wilke to lead Upper Room Ministries

Photograph available at http://photos.gbod.org.

Sarah E. Wilke

In her new capacity, Wilke will lead an international staff of 81 with offices in Nashville and Johannesburg, South Africa. The division publishes The Upper Room daily devotional guide read by almost 3 million people in more than 100 countries in 76 editions and 40 languages.

Wilke, 46, was elected to head the Nashville-based Upper Room Ministries by the 58-member GBOD Board of Directors. She will also serve as associate general secretary.

"I am very pleased to announce and certify the election of Sarah Wilke as our new world editor and publisher of Upper Room Ministries," said Board President Charlene P. Kammerer, bishop of the Virginia Annual (regional) Conference. "On behalf of GBOD, I welcome Sarah to our staff team. She will bring energy, passion and deep commitment to continue the excellent quality of ministry made possible through The Upper Room," said Kammerer.

An ecumenical organization that produces resources for encouraging deeper spiritual formation, Upper Room Ministries (www.upperroom.org) also publishes five other magazines and a line of books and programs for youth and adults.

"Sarah brings tremendous experience in publishing through her work at United Methodist Reporter. She links the daily, reflective spiritual practices of prayer, Bible study, journaling and worship with active expressions of faithful ministry in the church and world," said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive of GBOD.

"Her energy and creative ability will join well with the commitment of the staff and board to reach millions of new people through Upper Room Ministries' work in spiritual formation," Greenwaldt said.

Wilke has served as the CEO of UMR Communications and United Methodist Reporter, in Dallas, Texas, since 2004. She is credited with successfully turning around the operation -- increasing revenue from $3.8 million in 2004 to $6.3 million in 2008. A new product line was launched that offers church communication through digital color printing. Today the organization is debt free.

"It has been such a joy to be a part of the ministry of the United Methodist Reporter and to lead UMR Communications through change and growth," Wilke said. "I look forward to leading the Upper Room Ministries with the same level of energy and enthusiasm."

Wilke replaces the Rev. Stephen D. Bryant, current world editor and associate general secretary of Upper Room Ministries, effective July 27, 2009. The position has a 12-year tenure limit set by General Conference, the denomination's top legislative body. Bryant's term ends June 30.

"We celebrate Steve's work at Upper Room Ministries. His tenure is marked by the expansion of program ministries such as Companions in Christ and publishing ministries on the continent of Africa through Africa Upper Room Ministries, based in Johannesburg, South Africa," said Greenwaldt.

Africa Upper Room Ministries prints nearly 150,000 copies of the devotional guide in Portuguese, English and Arabic, and broadcasts a radio edition in Kiswahili, French and Zulu.

In addition, 1 million copies of Prayers for Encouragement, a devotional for people suffering with HIV/AIDS and other serious illnesses, have been printed and distributed through Africa Upper Room networks.

Wilke previously served on the extended cabinet of the North Texas Conference as urban strategist and as executive director of Wesley-Rankin Community Center, a Methodist mission in inner-city Dallas. She also served as a Peace Corps volunteer. She earned a master of business administration at Southern Methodist University in 2004 and a bachelor of general studies from the University of Kansas in 1984.

The General Board of Discipleship's mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD (www.gbod.org) is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, call the Media Relations Office toll free at 877-899-2780, ext. 7017.

News Media Contact: Jeanette Pinkston, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 340-7017 or jpinkston@gbod.org