The board of trustees unanimously approved the election of The Rev. Charles W. Savage II as the new president/CEO of the Georgia United Methodist Foundation following the enthusiastic endorsements of the presidential search and executive committees. Bishop Mike Watson of the North Georgia Conference will make this appointment effective June 2011.
“Chuck possesses the faith, commitment and ability to carry the Foundation into the future as it fulfills its vision of helping United Methodist churches, entities and individuals within Georgia multiply their financial resources for mission and ministry,” said Henry (Hank) M. Huckaby, chair of the presidential search committee. “Having faithfully served on the Foundation’s board since 1993, he has demonstrated firsthand his leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of our stewardship and development programs. Chuck is unequivocally an outstanding choice for this position. We are truly blessed to have a president/CEO with his credentials, passion and enthusiasm to now serve the Foundation in fulltime ministry.”
The Rev. Robert R. Fletcher, outgoing president of the Foundation, agrees. “I have the utmost respect for Chuck’s gifts and graces and commitment to The United Methodist Church,” he said. “I celebrate the Foundation’s future under his leadership.”
“Over the past 18 years, it has been an honor, privilege and blessing to be integrally involved in the vision and implementation of the Foundation’s programs and ministries. My history with the Foundation gives me a unique advantage in assuring that we don’t lose momentum during our leadership transition,” Savage said. “After prayerful consideration, I accepted this nomination with the belief that leading the Foundation is what God is calling me to do. I also believe that my background affords me the visionary experience to help the Foundation move forward into the future with exciting new programs and ministries.”
Savage has served as senior pastor of Kingswood UMC in Dunwoody since 2008. From 1994 to 2001, he served as senior pastor of Christ UMC in Roswell, Redan UMC in Lithonia, and Georgia Oliver UMC in Atlanta. Prior to receiving a call to ministry, he served in executive level positions at IBM Corporation from 1967 to 1998.
Savage holds a Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta and Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics from Savannah State University.
The Georgia United Methodist Foundation helps United Methodists in Georgia make a lasting contribution to the Church and encourages faithful stewardship by offering investments, fundraising, lending and planned giving services, endowments, grants, and scholarships. For more information, contact 770-449-6726, 877-220-5664 or info@gumf.org or visit www.gumf.org.