NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– After 13 years of service as the director of men’s ministry of the General Commission on United Methodist Men, Larry Malone will retire on Dec. 31, 2010.

The 21-member commission honored Malone during its Sept. 9-13 meeting in Nashville.  The popular speaker and leader will continue to serve as president of the men’s affiliate of the World Methodist Council and a leader of the Stop Hunger Now effort to eliminate starvation in every nation. “I will continue to be a passionate advocate for men’s ministry as a means of United Methodist Church renewal and evangelism as God leads me,” said Malone.

Volunteers to replace Malone

The commission agreed not to replace Malone with a full-time director. Instead, the agency will seek up to four volunteers who will travel across the country to speak, and teach in the areas of men’s ministry.

The agency hopes to have these grass-roots staff members in place by October 20 so they can be trained by Malone and Gil Hanke, top staff executive of the commission. The commission will provide materials and pay travel expenses is the event sponsor is unable to do so.

“These volunteers will allow us to have more men in more places providing support to more local congregations” said Hanke.

For more information and to apply for a position, contact Gil Hanke at ghanke@gcumm.org.