About Us

The purpose of the United Methodist Rural Advocates is:
  • To advocate, educate, inspire, and influence the United Methodist Church around rural issues.
  • To be a fellowship (working network) that advocates, educates, inspires, and affirms rural and small membership churches, rural communities and the entire United Methodist Church.
  • To this end: we will be an advocacy group of United Methodist laity and clergy who are concerned with United Methodism's responsibility within the Church Universal toward nurturing Christian concerns in town and rural churches and communities of the United States and throughout the world; we will interpret the Christian message as it applies to town and rural life; and we will be a voice for the rural church and community particularly in the support of General Conference legislation that will assist small membership and rural churches to minister effectively in their community for the Kingdom of God.

2012 - 2016 Officers                                                            2017 - 2020 Officers

President:  Roger Grace                                                                                        Chairperson: Randy Wall (NC)
Vice-President:  Peggy Paige                                                                                 Vice-Chairperson: Alan Bolte (MN)
Secretary:  Debra Ketcham                                                                                   Secretary: Sue Grace (WOH)
Treasurer: Mollie Stewart                                                                                     Treasurer: Judy Hill (CO)
Membership Secretary: Carl Ellis                                                                          Membership Director: Carl Ellis (KS)
Spiritual Director: Peggy Jeffries                                                                          Spiritual Director: Peggy Jeffries (MO)
Communications Director: David Karges                                                            Communications Director: Michele Holloway (OR)
Advocacy Director: Judy Hill                                                                                  Advocacy Director: Mollie Stewart (MS)
​                                                                                                                                   Immediate Past President:  Roger Grace (OH)

Jurisdictional Members at Large                       Other Members - Board of Directors
​                     2012-2016                                                                             2017 - 2020            

Western Jurisdiction: Carol Thompson (ID)                                                         Sara Wrona (PA)                                
North Central: Alan Bolte (MN)                                                                             Laura Beach Byrch (NC)                  
South Central: Claudean Harrison (OK)                                                               Erie Stuckett (MS)
Northeastern: Sharon Schwab (PA)                                                                      Alan Rice (NC)
Southeastern: Randy Wall (WNNC)                                                                       David Ruesink (TX)
                                                                                                                                   John Gilmore (LA)
                                                                                                                                   Debbie Ketcham (OH), Events Coordinator 

Members at Large 2012-2016

Alan Rice
David Ruesink, Ecumenical Representative
Judy Heffernan