The Education and Clergy Development Division of The Wesleyan Church:
- Develops Wesleyan clergy to be healthy, fit and effective from the beginning of the call to the completion of the ministry in order to transform lives, churches and communities through the hope and holiness of Jesus Christ.
- Advances Wesleyan colleges and universities to be healthy, strong and effective in the mission to educate and develop students who transform lives, churches and communities through the hope and holiness of Jesus Christ.

Russ Gunsalus
Executive Director, Education & Clergy Development
Featured Articles
Targeted Growth: The Wesleyan Church Shifts to a Competency-Based Credentialing Model
The ministry competencies focus on developing ministers who are fit for sustainable ministry--both academically and holistically.
Read MoreThriving Clergy: Pastorwell
“Sometimes pastors don’t avail themselves of things until there is a crisis; we’re trying to encourage pastors to be thinking ahead about what kinds of habits of mind and heart they can begin to make part of their life before there’s a crisis,”
Read MoreThrive Financial Spotlight: Florida District
This role is important, because—according to Styers—the problem with executing clergy care is not a lack of concern, but a lack of time on the part of district leaders. “We try our very best to not let people fall through the cracks...
Read MoreOur Team

Russ Gunsalus
Executive Director
Bio
Executive Director

Joel Liechty
Director of Ministerial Education
Bio
Joel Liechty is a Director of Education and Clergy Development for The Wesleyan Church and has a great passion for the quality ministerial education and formation of local church leaders. He’s serves through advancing leadership, residencies, learning communities and experiential learning. He currently oversees several educational and formational initiatives for pastors and leaders which are aimed primarily at simplifying credentialing in The Wesleyan Church and advancing competency-based ministry education and formation. Joel lives in Flagstaff, Arizona with his wife Stephanie and three boys Eli, Paxton & Wesley.

David Higle
Director of Clergy Care
Bio
Director, Clergy Development
Originally from Hyde Park, New York, Dave serves as Director of Clergy Care & Development. Although his undergrad studies were in Physical Education, Dave sensed a call to ordained ministry through working in youth camps. After pastoring, Dave taught biblical studies and theology for several years before focusing more specifically on spiritual development as Dean of Christian Formation at Kingswood University. He was also the academic dean at Somerset Christian College in New Jersey (now Pillar University). Dave is married to Jane, librarian and archivist for The Wesleyan Church. Their daughter, Carolyn and son-in-law Mackenzie live in Canada. Dave enjoys outdoor adventure of all kinds, but especially cycling and bird watching. Education
B. Sc. Houghton College (Physical Education)
M. Div. Asbury Theological Seminary
Th. M. Princeton Theological Seminary (Theology)
Ph.D. Walden University (Spirituality in Higher Education)
Phone: 317-774-3906

Johanna Rugh
Director of Spanish Ministry Education and Clergy Care, TFI Director
Bio
La Reverenda Johanna Chacón Rugh es una ministra ordenada de La Iglesia Wesleyana. Ella sirvió como Superintendente Asistente del Distrito Hispano del Suroeste de La IW. En dicha posición pudo desarrollar una serie de proyectos para el avance de la JDDM y proveer apoyo a las iglesias y pastores dentro del distrito. Ella actualmente trabaja en con la División de Educación y Desarrollo Ministerial como Directora de Educación Ministerial y Cuidado del Clero de La Iglesia Wesleyana. Desde esta plataforma, tanto ella junto con un equipo de líderes hispanos dan apoyo y dirección a nuestros Estudiantes Ministeriales Hispanos de cada Distrito. Su pasión es servir al Señor en cualquier área posible como una líder que anima a cada miembro a dar lo mejor para el Reino, especialmente el continuar promoviendo el ministerio de la mujer en todas las áreas de la iglesia.
Rev. Johanna Chacon Rugh is an ordained minister of The Wesleyan Church. She served as the Assistant District Superintendent of the Distrito Hispano del Suroeste of TWC. As ADS she was able to develop several projects for the advancement of the DBMD and to provide support to the churches and pastors within the district. She currently works for the Division of Education and Clergy Care of The Wesleyan Church. From this platform, she along with a team of Hispanic leaders provide direction and support to the Hispanic Ministerial Students from every district. Her passion is to serve the Lord in any way possible as an encouraging leader to each member to give the best of themselves for the Kingdom, especially to continue promoting the ministry of women in all the areas of the church.

Becci Wood
Director, The Gathering & Special Events

David Durst
Wesleyan Seminary Foundation, Asbury Seminary

Eddy Shigley
Director, Kern Wesleyan Scholars

Dave Ward
Field Director, Wesleyan Sermons

Gary Carr
Associate Endorser, Chaplains
Bio
Associate Endorser, Military Chaplains
864-633-8994
Dr. Gary Carr is the Associate Chaplain Endorser for the Wesleyan Church. Carr was a highly decorated military chaplain (COMMANDER, USN) endorsed by The Wesleyan Church. Originally from Lansing Faith Wesleyan Church, he pastored at Diamond Springs W. C. in Michigan, then embarked upon active duty military chaplain service in 1987 and retired from the Navy at the end of 2007.
- Carr’s service as a navy chaplain are marked by extrodinary achievements such as: Division Chaplain for 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC from 2004-2006, managed 22 ministry teams, serving 25,000 personnel plus their families.
- Senior Naval Officer for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, coordinating crisis ministry during evacuation of 14,000 US Citizens from Beirut, Lebanon in 2006. President, Fleet Marine Force Qualification Board.
- Battle Force Chaplain of the 7th Fleet and Command Chaplain of USS KITTY HAWK from 2002-2004, supervising ministry to 8,000 personnel and families during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
- National Director of Navy Chaplain Corps Recruiting from 1999-2002. The successful strategic changes that were put in place then remain the practices today.
- Command Chaplain for the Naval Air Technical Training Center, Pensacola, FL from 1996-1999. Established new programs including the Core Values Academy providing spiritual readiness for 18,000 students per year. Also trained US Navy vocal team.
- Group Chaplain for the Navy Seals and the first chaplain ever assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (Seals). Trained with Seals in all aspects, except weaponry. Deployed in numerous covert operations globally, including austere environments. Established the Navy Special Warfare Critical Incident Stress Team.
Since then he has served with the International Bible Society and as Vice President at Southern Wesleyan University. His 20 years of service as a navy chaplain are marked by extraordinary achievement. Dr. Carr graduated from the University of Michigan with high distinction in English and comparative linguistics and was the James B. Angell scholar. He holds the M.Div. from Asbury Seminary, a Th.M. in preaching from Duke, and the Doctor in Ministry in leadership (with distinction) from Fuller Seminary. He has had numerous service-related publications and papers, and has also been an Adjunct Professor in World Religions for Central Texas College. Dr. Carr is married (wife, Karen) with three children. He enjoys scuba diving, guitar and piano, cycling, reading. His primary gift is developing leadership in others.
Dr. Gary Carr es el nuevo Capellán de La Iglesia Wesleyana que sea transferido. Carr fue un capellán militar altamente condecorado (Comandar, USN) endorsado por La Iglesia Wesleyana. Originalmente de Lansing Faith Wesleyan Church, pastoreó en Diamond Springs W.C. en Michigan, y luego se enroló en servicio como capellán militar activo hasta 1987 y se retiró de la Armada en los finales del 2007.
- Su servicio como capellán del armada fuemarcado por logros extraordinarios como División de Capellán por 2da MarineDivision, Camp Lejeune, NC del 2004-2006, logró 22 equipos ministerios sirviendo a 25,000 del personal y sus familias.
- Oficial naval Superior para la 2da Marine Expeditionary Force, coordinó ministerio crisis durante la evacuación de 14,000 EE.UU. ciudadanos de Beirut, Lebanon en 2006. Presidente, Fleet Marine Force Qualification Board.
- Capellán fuerza de batalla de la 7th Fleet y Capellán Superior de USS KITTY HAWK del 2002-2004, supervisando el ministerio por 8,000 del personal y familias durante Operation Iraqi Freedom y Operation Enduring Freedom.
- Director Nacional del Navy Chaplain Corps Recruiting desde 1999-2002. Los exitosos cambios estratégicos que se pusieron en marcha a continuación todavía se practican hoy en día.
- Capellán Superior por el Naval Air Technical Training Center en Pensacola, FL desde 1996-1999. Estableció nuevos programas incluyendo la Core Values Academy proporcionando la preparación espiritual para 18,000 estudiantes por año. También entrenó el U.N. Navy Vocal Team.
- Capellán del Grupo para los Navy Seals y el primer capellán asignado de los Navy Seals. Se entrenó con los Seals en todos los aspectos, excepto armamento. Él fue desplegado en numerosas operaciones encubiertas en todo el mundo, incluyendo ambientes austeros. Estableció el Navy Special Warfare Critical Incident Stress Team.
Desde entonces ha sirvido con la International Bible Association y como el Vicepresidente en la Universidad de Southern Wesleyan. Sus 20 años de servicio como un capellán de la Navy ha sido marcado por logros extraordinarios. Dr. Carr se graduó de la Universidad de Michigan con alta distinción en Ingles y la lingüística comparativa y fue el erudito James B. Angell. Tiene su M. Div. de Seminario Asbury, un Th. M. en predicación de Duke, y su Doctorado en Ministerio en liderazgo (con distinción) de Seminario Fuller. El tiene numerosas publicaciones y documentos relacionados con el servicio, y también ha sido un profesor adjunto en Religiones del Mundo en Central Texas College. Dr. Carr está casado (esposa, Karen) y tiene tres hijas. En su tiempo libre, disfruta buceo, toca la guitarra, piano, ciclismo, y la lectura. Su don preferido es desarrollar el liderazgo en otros.

Mike Rash
Chair of Chaplain Ministries & Associate Endorser
Bio
Associate Endorser, Military Chaplains
702-904-0730
USAF Chaplain, Lt Col (retired) Michael Rash serves The Wesleyan Church as an Associate Chaplain Endorser. As a native of Lincolnton, North Carolina, he initially joined the United States Air Force in 1978 and completed a four-year enlistment as an E3-A AWACS Radio Operator. In 1995, after graduation from college and seminary, he re-entered the air force as an active duty chaplain endorsed by The Wesleyan Church. Culminating a 28-year military career, he retired from the air force in June, 2018.
Chaplain Rash and his wife, Kathy, ministered to air force families in North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, Colorado, England, Germany and Korea. His education includes degrees from Southern Wesleyan University, Asbury Theological Seminary, Columbus State University, and the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. He is a board-certified counselor credentialed by the National Board for Certified Counselors. Mike and Kathy have two adult daughters and enjoy the adventures of travel.

Mark Rennaker
Thrive Financial Initiative
Bio
Thrive Financial Initiative
Dr. Rennaker has pastored for 3 decades and served as project director from 2007 to 2015 for The Wesleyan Church’s pilot project in Lilly Endowment’s initiative to address the economic challenges facing Indiana pastors. He led the denomination’s 2015 national research effort to learn about pastors’ economic challenges from ministers, their spouses, and key lay leaders. He is denominational director of the Thrive Financial Initiative, The Wesleyan Church’s Education and Clergy Development Division program in Lilly Endowment’s national initiative to address economic challenges facing pastoral leaders.

Jerolyn Bogear
Chair, Wesleyan Coaching Network
Bio
Jerolyn Bogear is the chair of the Wesleyan Coaching Network. She is a Commissioned Ministry Coach, Coach Mentor, and Coach Trainer and has served on the leadership team for about 5 years. She is certified with International Coaching Federation (ACC) and with John Maxwell Teams and has completed over 450 hours of coaching across a variety of industries. Jerolyn and her husband, Jim, formed Legacy C3, coaching, training, and speaking on leadership and relationships. They are also co-authors on marriage and family. Jerolyn and Jim have 3 adult children, 2 children-in-law, and 3 adorable granddaughters. They make their home in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Kim Manning
Clergy Care
Bio

Noreen Weston
Ministerial Preparation
Bio

Michelle Wood
Ministerial Preparation
Bio
Ministerial Education and Formation
Michelle is an Indianapolis native. She is married with four children: ages ranging from 12 to 25. She loves rollerblading, reading, camping, traveling, time with her kids, and outdoor activities.
Phone: 317-774-7939

Jasmin Celio
Bilingual Administrative Assistant
Bio
Spanish Ministerial Education & Formation
Jasmin is our bilingual administrative assistant here at ECD, working alongside Rev. Johanna Rugh to serve our hispanic ministry students, instructors, and coordinators.
Jasmin was born and raised in sunny Orange County, California. She enjoys writing, reading, trying new food, and traveling with her husband. Jasmin is passionate about worship, the Word, and seeing people walk in the reality of God’s Kingdom!
Phone: 317-774-3915

Stevan Sheets
IT & Communications,
wesleyansermons.com

Ingrid Martinez
Associate Chair, Coordinators, Spanish Ministerial Education & Formation

Rodrigo Azofeifa
Associate Chair, Instructors, Spanish Ministerial Education & Formation
