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Written by Linda Moffett
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Tuesday, 02 February 2010 15:35 |
SALUNGA, Pa. - Planning for the future, whether it is mapping out a theology course for Vietnamese pastors or thinking about how Eastern Mennonite Missions should approach the future, is part of Gerry Keener’s unique set of gifts and interests.
Keener began as Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Eastern Mennonite Missions on January 4, 2010. In this new role at EMM, which is fifty percent time, Keener will focus on the ways administration can best help ministry to happen.
 “I am geared towards implementation and planning,” Keener notes. “I have a lifetime commitment to seeing ministries and church organizations develop strong administrative skills. This might seem like a strange commitment to have, but over the years I have seen many great ideas and visions fail because the administrative skills necessary to implement the ideas were lacking.”
“Gerry brings a wealth of mission and administrative experience to the new COO role,” said Richard Showalter, president of EMM. “His first major projects are to lead a review of EMM’s administrative structures and to develop integrated strategic planning processes.”
“My gifting from the Lord is not in having the original idea for the vision, but strategizing to get the vision done,” Keener said.
“I’ve known EMM and have been connected in some way to this mission organization for more than 30 years,” said Keener who most recently served with his wife and daughters for 12 years as an EMM worker in Vietnam. “I have always respected the people here, their faith commitment and their commitment to ministry.”
Noting that Keener is an enthusiastic supporter of EMM vision and mandate, Showalter said “We welcome Gerry to a creative team of mission leaders, grateful for the new gifts he brings. We anticipate that his presence will enable stronger relational linkages for mission within our sending community and our whole global team.”
“In terms of a mission organization, EMM is a highly viable ministry with enviable global results,” Keener said. “I see that EMM is not out to build its own kingdom or to keep adding on different components to itself. Rather EMM catalyzes ministries with the goal of launching them to operate on their own.”
“EMM has become a birthplace for ministries around the world,” Keener said. “I think EMM has deliberately managed its size so as to remain flexible and viable. We have a wonderful history and legacy.”
“Over the decades EMM has gone through many changes,” Keener said. “But one thing that hasn’t changed is its original DNA. It’s in our DNA to continually reach out, to push out to new frontiers.”
The current challenge is to not only remain viable for today but to become an organization that is futuristic, Keener noted.
 The economic situation is also a challenge but not one unique to us, Keener said. Everyone is experiencing it. Additionally, there is a significant shift in the culture of how money is donated. People tend to give towards a particular person or ministry rather than an organization. This requires an organization to continually adapt to a changing environment.
Keener, who is on home leave as a full-time missionary in Vietnam, will begin a second role in March, as a non-resident missionary to Vietnam along with his wife Donna. “EMM asked me to continue to work with theological education and leadership development in Vietnam. The pastoral training needs in all of Vietnam are still immense. In the last 15 years, the number of evangelical believers in Vietnam has more than tripled.”
There is only one official pastoral training program in Vietnam, Keener pointed out. Following decades of restrictions and difficulties related to Christian education, there is a steep learning curve concerning the level of biblical literacy and theological understanding throughout Vietnam.
Gerry and Donna along with their two daughters, Viktoria and Yen Elizabeth, live in Lancaster, Pa. |
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