Global Ministries welcomes new Director of The Advance and Fundraising

The Reverend Russell Pierce, an elder in the Western North Carolina Conference, and an experienced non-profit leader and strategist, joined The United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries as its new Director of The Advance and Fundraising on April 10, 2017, following his role as Senior Director of Funds Development with Church World Service (CWS). Of his new position, Pierce says “It has long been a dream of mine to serve The United Methodist Church as part of the team at Global Ministries. I’ve seen first-hand the impact of the work Global Ministries and UMCOR has on communities around the world and congregations who support them.” During his tenure with Church World Service (CWS), a faith-based non-profit headquartered in New York City, Pierce led a team connecting US-based congregations, individuals, foundations, and communities with sustainable development and emergency response opportunities in over 30 countries. Prior to CWS, Pierce served appointments at UM-related Dakota Wesleyan University, led one of the Red Bird mission agencies, and served as a pastor in the US and abroad. Pierce has earned two Master’s degrees; a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Master of Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame. “Russ brings valuable knowledge of the church, and the generous, helping spirit of United Methodists,” Kemper said, “and we are honored to attract someone of his professional experience, theological preparation, and skill.” Russ and his wife, the Reverend Kathy Barba Pierce, who are both members of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference, and their children, Aidan and Clare, are currently in the process of relocating to the Atlanta area.