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German layman to head UMC missions agency Elliott Wright, Feb 2, 2010
Thomas Kemper
By Elliott Wright Special Contributor
NEW YORK—A former missionary with strong United Methodist roots in his native Germany and broad ecumenical and international experience will be the new chief executive of the denomination’s General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM).
Thomas Kemper, 53, a layman, will become the first general secretary of a United Methodist general agency from outside the U.S. He begins March 15.
Since 1998, Mr. Kemper has led the Board of Missions and Internal Church Cooperation of the United Methodist Germany Central Conference. He is in his second four-year term as a director of Global Ministries, a 190-year-old organization with personnel, projects and mission partners in 136 countries, and has been a missionary in Brazil.
“Thomas Kemper is uniquely qualified and gifted for this position,” said Bishop Bruce R. Ough of West Ohio, president of the GBGM and co-chair of a search committee. “His global perspective, missionary experience, sound Wesleyan theology, broad ecumenical involvement and passion for Christ’s mission will benefit the General Board of Global Ministries and the entire United Methodist Church.”
Mr. Kemper said the mission agency should hold mercy and piety together, and that he profoundly believes that “the gospel can transform individuals and the world.”
He has traveled extensively, done field work in Africa, worked with Vietnamese boat people in England, and speaks five languages.
Mr. Kemper and his wife, Barbara Hüfner-Kemper, were missionaries in Brazil from 1986-1994 through the German United Methodist Board of Missions.
He earned a Master of Education in adult education at the University of Hamburg in 1982 and a Master of Arts in sociology in 1985 from the University of Bielefeld.
Thomas Kemper
Since 1998, Mr. Kemper has led the Board of Missions and Internal Church Cooperation of the United Methodist Germany Central Conference. He is in his second four-year term as a director of Global Ministries, a 190-year-old organization with personnel, projects and mission partners in 136 countries, and has been a missionary in Brazil. 
