Today, we share two staff transitions that mark new beginnings for trusted leaders in our conference ministries.

Rev. Dr. Jason Miller-Villegas

After three years of faithful service, Rev. Dr. Jason Miller-Villegas will conclude his role as conference Director of Youth Ministries. During his tenure, Jason has helped guide our Youth Ministries by dreaming new dreams, challenging us to think differently, rebuilding different teams, gathering generous grant support, and centering the work of relational discipleship.

Rev. Dr. Miller-Villegas’ decision to step away reflects a thoughtful discernment about the challenge of serving in two ministry settings (TENx10 and NC Conference Youth Ministries), as well as the evolving shape of conference Youth Ministries and the gifts needed to lead it forward.

“Jason’s leadership consistently called us to center equity, inclusion, and justice in our work with young people. His creative spirit, theological insight, and deep love for young people have left an imprint on our conference that will continue to shape our path forward,” said Rev. Ismael Ruiz-Millán, Executive Director of Connectional Ministries. “His leadership helped us imagine new ways of connecting with youth and supporting our local churches.”

A search team, in collaboration with the Conference Youth Committee (CYC), Youth in Unity leadership, and the Youth Operations Team, will be formed in the coming weeks to begin the process of discerning who will lead conference Youth Ministries in this next season. This team will commit to prayerfully listening to youth across our conference to clarify the leadership needed moving forward. In the meantime, interim leadership will be put in place to ensure that all planned youth events and ministry efforts continue through the end of December 2025 with an estimated hire in early 2026.

Youth Ministries is a core component of Healthy Congregations and Effective Leaders and will continue to be a priority for our conference.

If you have questions about Youth Ministries, please contact us at youth@nccumc.org.

Rev. Ernesto Barriguete

Rev. Ernesto Barriguete, who has served as Director of Race Equity & Justice Ministries for eight years, will soon begin a new appointment in the New Mexico Conference, serving as pastor of Bond Memorial United Methodist Church and Chaplain of the Lydia Patterson Institute. During his time on staff, Rev. Barriguete championed anti-racism, equity, and justice as core values in our shared life, facilitating conversations, building bridges across diverse communities, and leading initiatives, like the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) and H.E.A.R.T. (Holistic Equity Anti-Racism Training).

“Ernesto has been a companion for many on the journey toward equity and justice. He has helped us name truths we needed to face and imagine new ways of being the Church together. His ministry in our conference will live on in the many lives he has impacted and in the deepened commitments he has inspired,” said Rev. Ruiz-Millán. “His impact will remain in the hearts he touched, the bridges he built, and the faithful disruptions he led that now shape who we are becoming.”

The Conference Connectional Table is committed to continuing the work of anti-racism, race equity, and justice through a framework rooted in cultural humility. As we deepen the integration of these values across all areas of ministry, the responsibilities of the Director of Race Equity & Justice Ministries will now be carried forward through a collaborative effort involving the Rev. Ismael Ruiz-Millán, Executive Director of Connectional Ministries; Rev. Rhonda Grant Jordan, the Director of Peacebuilding & Outreach Ministry; and the Rev. Yolanda Correa, the Program Assistant for Race Equity & Justice Ministries, in conjunction with the broader Connectional Ministries team. This intentional approach ensures that the pursuit of equity and justice is not isolated within one office, but is embedded in the shared leadership and work of the entire team.

We give thanks for Jason and Ernesto’s leadership, witness, and contributions to shaping our conference’s mission and vision. Please join us in praying for them both as they follow God’s call into new seasons of ministry.