The Rev. Dr. James Bushfield, Director of Connectional Ministries, and the Rev. Steve Clouse, Director of Church Development, are pleased to announce changes to their staff teams for continued mission and vision alignment of the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Ann Handschu, previously an associate director with Church Development, has joined the Connectional Ministries Team, to lead the emphasis on intentional discipleship development throughout the Indiana Conference.
Rev. Randy Anderson, who currently serves as the pastor of Evansville Salem and the Associate District Superintendent of the Southwest District, will join the Church Development Team as a part-time Associate Director. Randy will also continue serving in his role as the Associate District Superintendent.
“Ann has tremendous passion and expertise in helping congregations develop discipleship ministries in the local church, reaching new people with the good news of the love of God in Jesus Christ, and growing existing disciples to be the leaders that God has called them to be in their relationship with Christ,” Bushfield said.
While working with the Church Development team, Handschu has served as a facilitator, consultant, and coach with congregations throughout the Conference. Before her work with the Conference, she served the West District as well as Ginghamsburg UMC, Tipp City, Ohio; in the development of resources and training for leadership and faith development. Ann is a member of Mount Pleasant UMC and resides in Terre Haute with her husband, Dennis. The couple has an adult daughter, Amy, who is married with four children.
Steve Clouse, The Director of Church Development, added, “The Church Development Team is grateful to Ann for her service to our Conference as a member of the Church Development team. She will be a tremendous asset to the Connect Team, and we look forward to collaborating with her in that capacity. We also are pleased to have Ann continue to serve our congregations as a coach in the Fruitful Congregation Journey process.”
“Randy brings a wealth of experience to our team, having served local congregations throughout our Conference, and in a variety of settings. His work as an Associate Superintendent and District Operational Team Facilitator have allowed him to become intimately acquainted with the congregations in the southwest region of our Conference,” stated Clouse.
“Additionally, his training in both the Fruitful Congregation Journey (FCJ) and Spiritual Leadership Inc. (SLI) processes have prepared him well for his work as an Associate Director," Clouse continued.
Anderson entered into ministry after a career in law enforcement and has a diverse background in leadership and development. He and wife, Julie, live in Evansville. The couple has four sons, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
Handschu began working in her new role as the Associate Director of Discipleship January 1, 2016. Anderson will start his new role as the Associate Director of Church Development July 1, 2016. Contact information for Handschu and Anderson is as follows: ann.handschu@inumc.org and randy.anderson@inumc.org.