June 13, 2023
Last week’s meeting of the WCA Global Council was a bittersweet meeting for this team that provides strategic guidance and oversight to the Wesleyan Covenant Association. The Council said goodbye to the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Moore who completed her service as chairwoman of the Council. They also said farewell to the WCA’s longtime treasurer, the Rev. Charles “Chuck” Savage II, who finished his tenure. Both leaders have provided wise and steady counsel for many years, and the WCA shares its deep gratitude for their service.
After deliberations, the Council unanimously elected Ms. Elizabeth Chryst of Florida to be the new chairwoman of the Global Council. Ms. Chryst has served on the Global Council for several years and was just recently reelected to a second term. She has deep experience helping to lead a regional chapter and brings much professional wisdom to bear. She served for several decades as a staffer for the United States Senate and holds the distinction as the first and only female U.S. Senate Secretary for the Majority (elected in 1995). She also served as U.S. Senate Secretary for the Minority. She is considered by many to be an expert on Senate procedure and mechanics. She has also volunteered as a Habitat for Humanity leader for many years.
Upon her election, Ms. Chryst shared, “I have been on the WCA global council for several years now and remain amazed at the quality of the men and women who serve on the council and their strong commitment to contend for God’s Holy Word…all of them. I am excited to serve and help lead so many talented men and women on the WCA Global Council who are instrumental in helping churches disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church.”
The president of the WCA, the Rev. Jay Therrell, had this to say about Ms. Chryst’s election, “I have known Elizabeth for many years. She is a devoted follower of Jesus and a committed leader to our movement. The WCA Global Council is in excellent hands with her at the helm.”
The Council also elected a new treasurer: Mr. John Agee of The Woodlands, Texas. Mister Agee has served on the Global Council for several years, has been very active with the WCA-Texas, and is retired from a distinguished career in the energy industry. The Rev. Tom Lambrecht of Texas and vice president and general manager of Good News continues in his role of vice chairman. Ms. Elizabeth Fink of Arkansas, a student at Asbury Theological Seminary, will continue in her role as Council Secretary. President Jay Therrell shared about these officers, “John, Tom, and Elizabeth are Godly leaders. They have been excellent members of our Global Council, and we are very blessed to have them in the roles of treasurer, vice chairman, and secretary.”
The Global Council was also pleased to welcome its newest elected members for their first meeting: Mr. James Kawadza of Zimbabwe, the Rev. Keith Mcilwain of Pennsylvania, The Rev. Absalom Nuhu of Nigeria, the Rev. Wilton Odongo of Kenya, The Rev. JeungHee Preble of Washington, and The Rev. Vatroslav Zupancic of Croatia.