NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

SUMMARY OF WORK

1. Approved the Intercessory Prayer Initiative to support church health and spiritual growth.

2. Promoted Zenaida Bermudez to Executive Director of Operations, effective September 2024.

3. Oversaw the development of strategic priorities in church planting, church health, and global movement initiatives.

4. The NLT formally approved the Stated Clerk Position Description from 2019-2020 which Dean Weaver interviewed under and was called.

5. Formed a Moderator-appointed Ad-Interim committee to draft a Pastoral Letter on Disability and Access, especially regarding the sacraments.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

45-37 That the 45th General Assembly approve the FY26 Administrative Budget.

45-38 That the 45th General Assembly approve the FY26 Special Projects.

45-47 That the 45th General Assembly approve the 44th General Assembly Minutes. 

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WORK OF THE COMMITTEE

During the past year, the National Leadership Team has actively engaged in advancing our Gospel Priorities through focused discussions and collaborative efforts. The NLT convenes for two days, four times a year—twice virtually and twice in person to assess progress and strategize future initiatives.

The standing committees within the NLT include Personnel (Chair: Neil Smith), Finance (Chair: Earla Bethel), and Strategic Planning (Chair: Chris Danusiar). Our twelve members are equally divided among these committees, fostering a comprehensive approach to leadership.

Our NLT meetings involve Gospel Priority Directors, including Tom Ricks (Church Planting), Annie Rose (Ministerial Health), Marc De Jeu (Church Health/Evangelism), and Gabriel de Guia (World Outreach). This collaboration enables us to leverage expertise and resources efficiently, such as the joint effort by Church Planting and World Outreach to address church needs in refugee areas across the U.S.

The NLT welcomes Marc De Jeu as the new Church Health director, succeeding Bob Stauffer for whom we owe a tremendous amount of gratitude.

The NLT has also prioritized exploring additional revenue streams to support our Gospel Priorities and to support the Medical Benevolence Fund, which is vital for our pastors and their families’ well-being.

Moving forward, we recognize that our work is in service to the EPC and grounded in our reliance on Christ, who instills in us the strength, humility, and commitment necessary to fulfill our mission. We remain dedicated to serving the needs of the denomination for the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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RECOMMENDATIONS (DETAILED)

RECOMMENDATION 45-33

That the 45th General Assembly approve the FY26 Administrative Budget.

RECOMMENDATION 45-34

That the 45th General Assembly approve the FY26 Special Projects.

RECOMMENDATION 45-47

That the 45th General Assembly approve the 44th General Assembly Minutes.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Earla Bethel
RE, Presbytery of Florida and the Caribbean

Michael Flake
TE, Presbytery of the Central Carolinas

John Ivy
RE, Presbytery of the Central South

Joi Williams
RE, Presbytery of Coastal Mid-Atlantic

Carolyn Poteet
TE, Presbytery of the Alleghenies

Greg Aydt
RE, Presbytery of the Central South

Chris Danusiar
RE, Presbytery of Rivers and Lakes

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MEETING DATES

August 20-22, 2024: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
October 24, 2024: Video Conference
January 14-15, 2025: Office of the General Assembly (Orlando, Florida)
April 9, 2025: Video Conference
May 12, 2025: Video Conference

Respectfully submitted,

Joe Kim, Chairman
June 2025

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