Jon Lucas Keller has announced his resignation as Mission Advancement advocate for the Church of the Brethren as of Sept. 11. He joined the denominational staff on July 28, 2025.
personnel
Beth Sollenberger to retire from leadership role in Atlantic Southeast District
Beth Sollenberger will retire on Sept. 30 as interim director of administration for the Church of the Brethren’s Atlantic Southeastern District. She has served in the position since April 1, 2024. She has been working both from her home in Goshen, Ind., as well as onsite in the district.
Brethren Volunteer Service Unit 339 begins service
The 13 members of Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS) Unit 339 have begun service at their project sites. The volunteers completed orientation on July 27 to Aug. 4 at Inspiration Hills Camp in Burbank, Ohio.
Samuel Hupp begins as BVSer at the Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
Samuel Hupp has begun work at the Church of the Brethren Office of Peacebuilding and Policy, serving through Brethren Volunteer Service (BVS). He is a member of Manchester Church of the Brethren in North Manchester, Ind.
Nick Beam term renewed as executive for Southern Ohio and Kentucky District
In action taken at a July 25 meeting, the board of the Church of the Brethren’s Southern Ohio and Kentucky District unanimously voted to offer Nick Beam a three-year contract renewal to serve as district executive minister. The announcement from the district noted that each of those three years will include a review and re-evaluation process. Also, as a part of the contract renewal, it was decided to drop “interim” from his title.
Rachel Johnson begins new role as assistant for Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Rachel Johnson, who has completed her term as National Youth Conference coordinator through Brethren Volunteer Service, on Aug. 24 will begin a new one-year, part-time role as assistant for Church of the Brethren Youth and Young Adult Ministries. She will be working from her home in Pennsylvania.
Jeff Thomson hired to direct Brethren Disaster Ministries
Jeff Thomson has been hired as director of Brethren Disaster Ministries for the Church of the Brethren. In his previous role as chief housing officer and general contractor with Interfaith Housing and Community Services, he collaborated with numerous volunteers while leading home repair programs for families in need in Hutchinson, Kan.
Adam Lane to begin as program assistant for Children’s Disaster Services
Adam Lane begins May 27 as program assistant for Children’s Disaster Services (CDS), a ministry within Brethren Disaster Ministries, working from the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md.
Madalyn Metzger and Rhonda Pittman Gingrich to serve in new interim positions with the Church of the Brethren
Madalyn Metzger will begin part-time on June 15 as interim executive director of Engagement and Communications for the Church of the Brethren. Rhonda Pittman Gingrich will begin a part-time interim leadership role with Brethren Press in addition to her ongoing responsibilities as director of Annual Conference.
Michelle Martinez hired as manager of accounting and assistant treasurer for denomination
Michelle Martinez begins April 27 as the Church of the Brethren’s manager of Accounting and assistant treasurer, working from the General Offices in Elgin, Ill.