Photo:  Joseph Silvas, Hurst, Texas, (left) and Mark Lubbock are commissioned as men’s ministry specialists during the March 3-6 meeting of the National Association of Conference Presidents of UM Men. Photo by Richard Kim

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Joseph Silvas, a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Hurst, was certified as a men’s ministry specialists during the March 3-6 meeting of the National Association of Conference Presidents of United Methodist Men.

A former captain in the Army Reserve and a company commander of a drill sergeant unit, Silvas has served as a detention shift supervisor for a juvenile center, a senior drill instructor for Harris County Juvenile Boot Camp, an adult probation officer, and a prison guard. He has a B.A. degree in history and a M.A. degree in criminal justice.

Silvas is already working with Joe Boatman, Central Texas Conference president of United Methodist Men, to fund and establish conference gatherings of men.

Men are certified as men’s ministry specialists after engaging in classroom training, interactive web-based education and after making a commitment to ongoing spiritual growth. These men may then offer training, resources and programs to enable congregations to reach men outside their faith communities and help men within their churches to grow spiritually.

These specialists do not replace district or conference leaders; they are resource partners with and for them.

A total of 22 men have been certified as men’s ministry specialists.