Photo: Gil Hanke, top staff executive of the General Commission on United Methodist Men, joins Joseph Silvas (left) and Mark Lubbock following their commissioning as men’s ministry specialists during the March 3-6 meeting of the National Association of Conference Presidents of UM Men.


NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Six men were commissioned as men’s ministry specialists during the March 3-6 meeting of the National Association of Conference Presidents of United Methodist Men.

Mark Lubbock, Baton Rouge, La., and Joseph Silvas, Hurst, Texas, were present for the March 4 commissioning service. Steve Lathrop, Aiken, S.C., John Gaither Eutaville, S.C.; Charlie Gray , Fuquay Varina, N.C.; and Ronald Cramer, Jefferson, Ohio, were commissioned in absentia.

Following extensive training, these men now join with 16 previously certified specialists to help churches expand their ministries to men.

After engaging in classroom training, interactive web-based education and after making a commitment to ongoing spiritual growth, these specialists now 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.