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District Conference Officers & Teams

MODERATOR, BOB JOHNSON

Bob is a pastor of 32 years, serving the Church of the Brethren in Virginia. He is currently the pastor at the Briery Branch Church of the Brethren and is serving on the Ethics Committee for the Shenandoah District. Bob serves as a law enforcement chaplain for the ATF, USSS, and Bridgewater Police Department. He has served with the International Conference of Police Chaplains for over 31 years, having served at 9-11 at Ground Zero as chaplain for two tours. He is a certified life coach through the American Association of Christian Counseling. He is married to his lovely wife Gail for 38 years. Pastor Bob looks forward to serving the Shenandoah District with God’s guidance in Wisdom, Love, and Truth.

Biblical Vision

“O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me…”
– Psalm 43:3a, NRSV

Description of Work:

  1. Preside at business sessions of the District Conference;
  2. Be an ex officio member without vote of the Leadership Team;
  3. Be chairperson of the District Conference Program and Arrangements Committee;
  4. Be an ex officio member with a vote on the Gifts Discernment Team;
  5. Study the needs of the district and give interpretation and counsel regarding them to the Leadership Team, to District Conference, and to any other appropriate district agency.
MODERATOR-ELECT, DONNA HURST

Donna is a member of Middle River Church of the Brethren in New Hope where she has attended for the past 25 years. She has served her church on the Witness Commission, Nurture Commission as well as 7 years in the role of the Leadership Team Chairperson. Donna also serves Forest Chapel Church of the Brethren as moderator.

Donna earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from Eastern Mennonite University and is employed in the Emergency Department (ED) at Sentara RMH in Harrisonburg. She has seen God’s work many, many times in the ED over the past 37 years, as well as in her personal life. She was honored as a Life Member of the Staunton-Augusta Rescue Squad where she volunteered for over 20 years. In that time, she served as a leader in many roles, including Rescue Chief and President. She continues to be very active with EMS by serving at the regional and state level. Donna enjoys camping and spending time around a campfire with family and friends. She resides in Verona with her husband, Jeff, and daughter, Ryan. Their family also includes 2 dogs, Chief and Copper, and 2 horses, Garth and Silver.

Biblical Vision

“O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me…”
– Psalm 43:3a, NRSV

Description of Work:

The Moderator presides at the business session of the District Conference. To prepare for the role the moderator-elect’s duties include:

  1. Serve as ex officio on the District Leadership Team (moderator-elect and moderator year);
  2. Serve on Gifts Discernment Team (moderator-elect and moderator year);
  3. Serve as chair of the Program and Arrangements Team (moderator year);
  4. Study the needs and work of the district and provide interpretation and counsel to the District Leadership Team, District Conference, and other appropriate district agencies (moderator-elect and moderator year).
DISTRICT CLERK SALLY, JANE CONNOR

(Bridgewater, Va.) Sally Jane Conner was born and raised in Manassas and was a member of the Manassas congregation. Her ancestors
migrated from Pennsylvania to Manassas and began the first Brethren church there. Upon moving to the valley, she was a member of the Dayton Church of the Brethren and served over five years as the treasurer. She is currently a member of the Bridgewater congregation, completing a second and final term as clerk. She is also a member of the church choir. Sally Jane earned a BS from Bridgewater College and an MBA from Eastern Mennonite University.

Biblical Vision

“…but all things should be done decently and in order”
– 1 Corinthians 14:40, NRSV

Description of Work:

  1. Records minutes of the District Conference and shall, in cooperation with the district executive, prepare them for publication and distribution to the churches;
  2. Serve as a member of the Planning and Arrangements Team.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, GARY HIGGS

(Harrisonburg, Va.) Gary joined the district staff in November 2015 as director of finance. He attends Melrose Church of the Brethren where he has served in various roles, including as moderator. He has also served on the District Leadership Team. Gary is retired, having most recently worked at Wetsel Inc. for 30 years in accounting and finance.  He resides in Harrisonburg with his wife Mary.

Biblical Vision

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share”
– 1 Timothy 6:18

Description of Work:

  1. Be custodian of all district funds, disbursing them as authorized by the district conference, and to a depository designated by the Leadership Team;
  2. Be an ex officio member of the Leadership Team;
  3. Make written reports to the Leadership Team and the district conference as requested;
  4. Submit the accounts for an annual examination;
  5. The director of finance will be employed by the Leadership Team and directly answerable to the district executive minister.
TREASURER, TERI SUMEY

(Weyers Cave, Va.) Teri Sumey retired from public education after 38 years as a teacher/administrator. She attends Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren and serves on the board of directors for Karis. She also enjoys volunteering for Special Olympics, Verona Community Food Pantry, and Love INC.

Biblical Vision

“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share”
– 1 Timothy 6:18

Description of Work:

  1. Verify vouchers and invoices with checks; verify payroll, and sign all checks;
  2. Be appointed by the Leadership Team.