The first Global Ministries EarthKeepers training in 2016, at Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center near Atlanta, “was a powerful event,” one attendee remembers.
“It was fall and in a woods setting,” recalled Cathy Velasquez Eberhart. “We would go on trails and hear the leaves crunching under our feet. We had long conversations during walks with the other participants.”
Lifelong friendships were forged, she added.
EarthKeepers is a training program to help United Methodists launch environmental projects in their communities. Each cohort discusses theology, United Methodist resources, anti-racism and community organizing, so participants can develop an environmental project for their churches and communities.
As the program marks its 10th anniversary this year, Global Ministries has commissioned more than 450 people who went home with a plan to help the environment, said the Rev. Jenny Phillips, who, as director of environmental sustainability at the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, oversees the EarthKeepers program.
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The North Carolina Conference has a dedicated group of EarthKeepers who uphold this tradition in our conference:
- Keith Sexton
- Tracy Sexton
- Donna Thompson
- Jarrod Davis
- James Apisai
- Pat Watkins
- Para Drake
- James Galloway
- Dianne Gagnon
- Linda Hevner
- Carmella McKeller-Smith
- Logan Jackson
- Stephanie Campbell
- Gayle Tabor
- Susan Jacques
- Dorothy Kester
- Leigh Williams
In honor of the 10th anniversary of the Global Ministries EarthKeepers program, commissioned EarthKeepers are welcome to apply again for the 2026 In-Person Fall training taking place in Atlanta, GA from October 1-4, 2026. New applicants are encouraged as well. Applications are now open! Deadline August 1.