As we reflect on this past year, we celebrate the ways God has been at work through our shared commitment to clergy care, higher education and ministerial preparation. These areas remain central to Education and Clergy Development’s (ECD’s) mission of equipping leaders who serve with excellence and compassion. In both English and Spanish contexts, we have sought to provide resources, training and support that strengthen the spiritual, academic and practical foundations of ministry. This report highlights the progress we have made together, the challenges we have faced and the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to invest in the development of pastors and leaders for the church and the world.
Clergy Care
Clergy Care and Development is all about equipping and empowering. Pastors who are adequately developed and healthy are free to experience the fullness of God’s empowerment in ministry. Regularly, we focus on helping individuals answer God’s call by receiving quality education and support that prepares them for ministry leadership. And as ministry leaders pour into the lives of others, we focus on ways to keep them renewed and healthy — spiritually, physically, emotionally, relationally and financially — so they can continue in the work God has set before them.
In addition to our regular opportunities, this year’s clergy care and development resources included hosting several cohorts open to all Wesleyan pastors. The spring’s cohort focused on pastoral counseling, helping pastors refine their skills in caring for others. In the fall, ECD’s Together in Ministry cohorts explored the whys and hows of women and men serving effectively in ministry together. We are grateful for the opportunity to offer these learning experiences, that enhance our ability to serve the church and our communities.
In addition to our daily interaction with ministry credentialing work, ECD hosted the District Board of Ministry Development (DBMD) Institute in August. Almost every district sent at least one representative from their DBMD, many including their DS, to this beneficial equipping event. We focused on resourcing our DBMD teams with information and strategies, spent time in collaboration, and heard from all our Wesleyan education institutions. Alongside ECD’s regular quarterly DBMD meetings, which provide space for sharing updates and asking questions, the DBMD Institute elevates the role each district plays in the journey of those called into vocational ministry.
Higher Education
The past year has been one of meaningful transitions and growth for Wesleyan Academic Initiatives. We celebrated the leadership shift from Dr. Aaron Perry to our new director, Dan VanDuyne, whose passion for the theological education and innovative vision have guided our continued mission to foster rigorous, faith-driven scholarship within the Wesleyan tradition.
A major highlight of the year was TheoCon 2025, which welcomed just over 80 participants for a day of rich theological discussion. Centered on the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed, the event invited scholars, pastors and students to reflect deeply on this cornerstone of Christian orthodoxy and its relevance for the church today.
Our partnership with the Free Methodist Church through the Graduate Students Theological Seminar (GSTS) also continued to flourish, drawing around 60 attendees. This collaboration provided Ph.D. and D.Min. students with a vital platform for presenting research, fostering academic excellence and engaging thoughtfully with the challenges facing the church and world.
The Wesleyan Ministerial Education Grant underwent a major overhaul this year, removing its loan component, expanding funding and broadening eligibility. Sixty-six students received grant approval under the new structure — an encouraging sign of investment in future ministry leaders.
Together, these milestones mark a year of renewal, collaboration and forward momentum for the Wesleyan Academic Initiatives.
Spanish Education
It has been our honor to support the ministerial preparation of our Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters. We currently have 165 students actively taking courses and 205 students in the pre-ordination track. This year we strengthened instructor training by promoting excellent pedagogical, didactic, methodological and technological practices to ensure well-prepared, high-quality classes. This initiative was made possible through a grant secured in partnership with Asociacion para la Educacion Teologica Hispana (AETH).
Committed to fostering spiritual formation and emotional health, we hosted four webinars — each reaching 120 to 350 views — addressing key topics for The Wesleyan Church’s Hispanic community. We also collaborated in the review, translation and contextualization of essential materials and books for ministerial, academic and spiritual growth.
More than 30 courses were scheduled and delivered online, in person or in hybrid formats in partnership with Wesleyan districts. This year, we successfully offered 20 of the 24 courses in the curriculum, including an introductory Fraternidad Latinoamericana de Adiestramiento Ministerial Alternativo (FLAMA) support course to enhance student performance and integration.
We give thanks to God for his provision and to each of you for your faithful support, prayers and partnership in this vital work. Your commitment has made these accomplishments possible and inspires us as we look to the future. Please join us in praying for wisdom, strength and renewed vision in seeking to equip pastors and leaders who will serve the church and the world with excellence and compassion in the years ahead.
ECD Team
