Candea to be Appointed Next Generation Ministries Associate Director
News
Bishop Bob Farr announced his intent to appoint Rev. Mona Candea as Associate Director of Next Generation Ministries effective December 12. This position supports local churches in the areas of children, youth, college-age adults and camping ministries. The Associate Director leads the NextGen staff and the Conference Next Generation Ministries Team to fulfill its mission to serve local congregations by strengthening their effectiveness, fruitfulness and discipleship of the next generation.Candea is a provisional deacon currently serving at First Blues Springs as the NextGen and Adult Discipleship Pastor. She, along with her husband, Jon, son Ben, and two charming dogs Aaron and Lily, will move to the Columbia area as she takes on the judicatory role.
“With Mona’s experience working with children and youth in the local church, I am excited about the strategies she will bring to help resource our rural, suburban and urban churches in connecting with the next generation of disciples,” Bishop Farr said.
The position is the first to follow the Conference’s Hiring Process developed in spring 2022 by Conference staff and approved by the Mission Council in September. Laity, in addition to clergy, were eligible to be considered for the position. After conducting phone interviews with people who met the minimum qualifications for the position, the candidate pool was narrowed to six candidates and interviewed by Rev. Mark Statler, Director of Leadership Excellence, Rev. Kim Jenne, Director of Connectional Ministries, Sarah Declue, Conference NextGen team chairperson and Connections Director at La Croix in Cape Girardeau and Kyrell Newell, Director of NextGen Ministries at First UMC in Jefferson City. The interview team narrowed the selection to two candidates who interviewed with Bishop Bob Farr in the final round.