NASHVILLE, Tenn.–– The General Commission on UM Men has forged a partnership with DISCIPLE Bible Outreach Ministries of North Carolina in order to bring DISCIPLE Bible study to prisons across the U.S. Meeting, September 9-13, the 21-member board approved an agreement with the Rev. Mark Hicks, executive director of North Carolina’…read more

TCUMM Fall Conference - will be held at Atascocita UMC September 18th, and it looks like it is going to be a dynamite event. Brett Clemmer vice-president of Man In the Mirror will be one of two very dynamic speakers at this year's event. Matt Neely Christian recording artist, and founding pastor of Watershed Church will also be on hand. Music will be provided by Connection Atascocita's praise and Worship Band. The $30 registration fee include breakfast and lunch, so sign-up today! Click HERE to register online.

Bringing You Up To Date - By Gil Hanke - It has been a busy summer but one with great experiences. I have just returned from an extended trip to Virginia and Maryland. While there I got to speak in the Winchester (Va.) District and in the Baltimore Washington Conference. In Virginia, I also was able to hear Dan Schaffer's presentation on Wesleyan Building Brothers, and I worked at the BSA Jamboree with Larry Coppock. It was a productive and exciting time, and I expect it will bear much fruit. (read full story)

By Gil Hanke - This was unlike any of my earlier 30 overseas mission trips, but it is one that I will treasure in a special way. I volunteered to lead a Haiti mission team from the Texas Annual Conference (Houston Episcopal Area). Each member of the 10-member team agreed to lead a team back to the island nation within a year. (read full story)

United Methodist Men support Nashville recovery efforts -Members of 61st Avenue UMC helped clean out the home of Millie White, a 75-year-old member who lives across the street from a stream that flooded the entire Westside community. Every possession, including all her clothing, (Read Full Story)

Harvey to Lead UMCOR -The Rev. Cynthia Fierro Harvey of the Texas Annual Conference is the new head of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).(Read Full Story)

Spring Retreat 2010

April-16,17&18-2010: United Methodist Men's 2010 Spring Retreat at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center, FM 294, (12 miles South of Palestine, TX).

The Weekend's Guest Preacher: Rev. Lawrence Young, Central South District Superintendent, speaking on "Men In Mission". Music: Reggie Clemmons and Greg Wiggers. Keynote Speaker: Wineva Hankamer, Chair of Partners in Mission.

Election of Texas Conference UMM Officers. Upper Room Prayer Line Ministry 8:00AM - 5:00PM The meetings will be held at Morton Lodge in Fair Village.

Accommodations available at: Fair Village (Cabin, capacity 4 people),A.Frank Smith Dormitory (Dorm, capacity 6-8 people), Family Life Cabins (Motel, capacity 2 persons), RV Park.Commuter rates available. Click here for more info

NACP Meeting

The National Association of Conference Presidents (NACP) and Jurisdictional Prayer Advocates meetings were held in Nashville, TN on March 4-7, 2010. Men from the Texas Annual Conference UMM in attendance were, Ken Tielke(Central South District),TCUMM President, Morris McCall(Southeast District),South Central Jurisdictional Prayer Advocate, Dan Ramsey(Central North District),South Central Jurisdictional President and Ricky Tate(Southeast District).The meeting is held annually in Nashville to conduct the business of The United Methodist Men. This years event was special for the men of the Texas Annual Conference because one of our own was installed as General Secretary of the General Commission of United Methodist Men (GCUMM). Gil Hanke, from Perritt Memorial UMC in Nacogdoches, was installed as the first lay person to serve in the position since the formation of the GCUMM. Gil has served as Local Unit President at Perritt Memorial UMC, TCUMM Vice President, TCUMM President and NACP President before accepting the position of General Secretary of GCUMM. He is also one of the first men in the UMM to be trained and certified as a Men's Ministry Specialist to assist men with developing and maintaining Men's Ministries at all levels of UMM. Gil follows Rev. David Adams, who has gone back to the local church ministry. Gil's "hands on" experience with leading UMM from the local unit to the national level brings experience and new direction to GCUMM. At his installation ceremony Gil spoke of the challenges we face in UMM today at all levels and his optimism that we have the leadership and tools available to us to overcome the obstacles that prevent us from performing the important work of bringing men into relationship with Jesus Christ.

The group discussed the 10th National Gathering of UMM held in Nashville at Belmont University on July 10-12, 2009. The event, which is held every 4 years, had a lower attendance than expected of 1200 men. The 9th National Gathering held at Purdue University in 2005 drew over 3000 men. The general consensus was that the change of venue, economy and lack of publicity for the event contributed to the lower attendance. Those who attended the 10th Gathering agreed that the venue facilities, accommodations, transportation systems and hospitality of Belmont University were all improvements over the meetings at Purdue University.The GCUMM estimated that moving the event to Belmont University in Nashville resulted in a savings of over $50,000 in transportation costs and contractual obligations to hold the event in Nashville. Belmont University has indicated that the university would like to be the site of the 11th Gathering in 2013.

A New Beginning
By Gil Hanke

This has been an exciting, emotional, and challenging few weeks. I have resigned from my jobs in Texas, packed up what I needed from my home and offices and have begun a new career as the general secretary of GCUMM. As I have said goodbyes to many close and wonderful friends from church and work, I have been humbled by their kind words and actions.

During this time of transition, I have also grieved for Haiti. As many of you know, I have led about 20 teams to Haiti over the last 25 years, and so the destruction is very hard to watch. I have applied to return to Haiti on a Volunteer-in-Mission team as soon as possible.

My journey to Nashville has been wonderfully planned and supported by our grace-filled staff and members of the commission. Just to make sure I knew I was leaving the heat of Texas, they arranged to have a snow storm in Nashville 48 hours before I arrived; so thoughtful. They really have been great and are helping me a great deal.

I am so honored to have this opportunity to serve God and to serve the men and their families of the UMC. Our ministry for, to and through men is vital to its participants and to this great church.

As you know, men´s ministry is the hardest task facing the church today. As a group, regardless of age, we are stubborn, isolated and lack close relationships that hold us accountable to our spiritual growth. But, I see that our Wesleyan heritage prepares us for the tasks ahead.

Wesley saw in his studies of the Bible that balance of needs that are so vital for us today.

On one hand is the need for spiritual growth and renewal that is a journey rather than a moment in time.

On the other hand are needed actions of love, mercy and social justice. Both place us where we need to be as men, as a valued agency, and as a church. Our focus will continue to be on helping men see that the leader that God calls them to become has that Wesleyan balance of a growing faith and action.

I am here to serve you and this great church. I want and need to hear from you. I want and need to hear your struggles and your stories of success. I have been where you are, and I may not have the answers, but with His guidance, I am sure we will find our way together. May God bless our work for His Kingdom.

Striving to be His servant,

Gilbert C. Hanke, general secretary General Commission on UM Men GHanke@gcumm.org

Fall Conference 2009 - Will be hosted by Jones Memorial UMC at 2504 Almeda Genoa Road Houston, TX on September 26, 2009 from 8:00AM to 3:00PM click here

Men's Ministry Specialist Online Course with exams - available at GCUMM.org