McAllen District offers 3
leadership training events


The McAllen District played host to Leadership 101 laity training during late January and early February.
The southern part of the district was divided into programming areas and administration areas. The northern part
of the district had one combined session.
The first event was Jan. 27 at First UMC, Weslaco. The day began with a panel on “Expanding the Kingdom—Working Outside the Box.” The Rev. Robert Clark, the Rev. Danny Longoria and the Rev. Aaron Saenz shared some of the exciting
things happening in their ministries.
Workshops offered in the first session included Traditional Worship led by Mike Templeton, Contemporary Worship led by Saenz and Frank Cavazos, Partnering in God’s Mission led by Susan Hellums, and Evangelism/Welcoming Congregations
led by the Rev. Cathe Evins.
The second session included Equipping Children’s Sunday School Teachers led by Susan Thompson, Foundation Master—Equipping Adult Ministry led by Mary Catherine Edwards, Grant Writing led by the Rev. Randall Hilburn and Web Ministry led by Helen Fenimore.
First UMC, Kingsville, was the site for the Feb. 3 session. The day began with a plenary panel entitled “Expanding the Kingdom—Offering Christ to All” led by the Rev. Pasha Buck and the Rev. Leo Carrasco. Work areas offered were Staff-Parish Relations Committee led by the Rev. Larry Howard, Budget Building led by the Rev. George Joehnk, Trustees led by Richard Thallman and “Evangelism—Techniques on Reaching Out” led by the Rev. Robert Clark.
Afternoon workshops included Equipping Sunday School Teachers led by Thompson, Foundation Masters—Equipping Adult Ministry led by Edwards, Missions Outreach led by the Rev. Deborah Youngblood, Grant Writing led by Hilburn, and Finance/Apportionments—The Real Deal led by Joe Vasquez.
The last Leadership 101 event was Feb. 10 at First UMC, Weslaco. Areas addressed were “Organizational Options” led by the Rev. Elizabeth Smith and the Rev. Robert Clark, Trustees led by Brad Cowan, Budget Building led by Joehnk, SPRC led by Howard, Apportionments—The Real Deal led by Douglas Cannon, and Lay Leadership led by Dennis Jewell.