Board welcomes new chair, gives thanks for continued growth

A meeting of the Board of Directors had historic significance as Jennifer Davis became the first person of color elected chair.

The Foundation marked a transition in board leadership, recognized the work of United Methodists after Hurricane Helene, and gave thanks for investment growth that will strengthen ministry in Western North Carolina and beyond. It was all part of a quarterly board meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 12.

A new term begins as the Foundation surpasses $371 million in total assets, a testament to the faithfulness of those we serve. Continued strong returns in the first half of 2025 translate into greater resources for partner churches and institutions.

Jennifer reflected on her unlikely path in the interview shared below. She recalled growing up in a time and place in which African Americans, and women especially, had scant access to leadership opportunities. When a fellow church member at Epworth UMC in Gastonia asked for a ride to Annual Conference, Jennifer discovered a place to use her gifts.

The path led Jennifer to become head of the lay delegation to General Conference in 2012, 2016, and 2020/2024, and a Foundation board member in 2018. Now Jennifer succeeds Anne Martin, the first woman to serve as chair.

“It’s a small group of people who have a significant impact,” Jennifer said of the Foundation. “The possibility of that impact in Western North Carolina and beyond is, I think, beyond what we can imagine.”

Strength of the Connection

Helene is one example. The Foundation sent immediate aid in the form of $800 checks to 127 churches and ministries in the most affected counties. A $166,000 contribution helped purchase propane and carbon dioxide detectors and cover training for WNCC staff and volunteers. The 2025 budget makes a multi-year commitment to Helene recovery.

On Tuesday, Rev. Pam Carter of WNCC Disaster Ministries recognized the Foundation with the Barn Raising Award, a Log Cabin quilt square with red to denote the hearth fire, the heart of the home. The traditional patchwork pattern, Pam noted, is inspired by the practice of communities coming together to raise a barn, symbolizing cooperation and shared effort.

“We live in a time when people think of institutions as just bureaucracy,” Pam told the board. “In fact, institutions do lifesaving, life-giving work, and one of those institutions, for us, is the Foundation. Thank you for everything you’ve done. Even today, you’re still working.”

Multiplying our gifts

A number of other items from Tuesday are worth sharing. The Reynolds Ministry Fund awarded 38 grants totaling $410,000 for disciple-making projects in local communities. The Reynolds Program in Church Leadership will welcome clergy participants from six conferences in the Southeast Jurisdiction. And 25 students will attend college at United Methodist-affiliated institutions with help from Foundation scholarships.

For Jennifer, who will serve alongside board officers Brad Chapman (Vice President), Wanda Musgrave (Secretary), and Matt Sink (Treasurer), the new role is about furthering the Foundation’s ability to multiply gifts so that all may flourish.

“I’m a little black girl from what used to be this little community of Gastonia, North Carolina,” Jennifer said. “To sit at the head of a Foundation that has such a reputation and history… it’s almost mind-boggling.”

With the board adjourned until its next meeting in November, join us in giving thanks for wise leadership as the Foundation lives into its call to be ministry of the Church for the Church.