Dear Central & UA Wesley Families,

 

I am excited to announce Central’s Staff Parish Relations Committee, at the direction of Bishop Gary Mueller and District Superintendent Stephen Coburn, have employed a new College Pastor/UA Wesley Director – Dr. Daniel Rupp.  Daniel joins Central’s staff on August 1, 2020.

Daniel is originally from Van Buren, Arkansas.  He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2002 with a degree in Industrial Engineering.  Daniel was active in UA Wesley College Ministry during his time at the University.  While in college, Daniel was employed by Central as an Intern for our Student Ministries and worked for Rev. Greg Gibson.  Daniel says he found his call to ministry during his time at Central/UA Wesley.  Daniel also met his wife Kayla when they both led a Wesley Campus Ministry spring break mission trip to Memphis, TN.

Daniel earned his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2007.  He was appointed to Heritage United Methodist Church, Van Buren, Arkansas as a licensed local pastor and served as associate pastor for Rev. Wes Hilliard. 

After his time in Van Buren, Daniel and his wife Kayla felt called to the mission field and have served as missionaries to China for twelve years working with Campus Crusade for Christ.  Daniel served in many leadership positions for CRU including Chief of Staff and multiple Regional Director positions.  He ministered to college students and mentored recent college graduates serving as Missionary Interns in an international setting. Daniel speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.  Central UMC remained connected to Daniel and Kayla’s ministry in China as Missionary Partners.

Daniel earned a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Biola University in Los Angeles, California.  He taught as a Professor in Theology Schools in Singapore and Ivory Coast.  He has several publications in the field of Missiology.

Daniel articulates a clear call to ministry to college age students.  He possesses spiritual maturity, depth, and a love for scripture.  He expresses a deep faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to fully serve God in ministry. 

After prayerful consideration, he and Kayla believe God has brought them home from the mission field to settle in the United States and serve college ministry.  Daniel and Kayla have an active household of four children Eugene 15, Zion 13, Brave 11 and Jubilee 11.

Daniel will be a tremendous compliment to Central's pastoral staff and an asset to Central UMC’s ministry.  Daniel will bring energy and excitement to the UA Wesley ministry and provide effective, proven leadership to the UA Wesley organization.

Because of Daniel’s time in the mission field, the Bishop requires him to complete several credentialing items in the Fall of 2020 for him to regain his license as a United Methodist Local Pastor.  Once those requirements are completed, he will be under appointment by Bishop Mueller as a clergy person in the Arkansas Annual Conference. 

Please join me in warmly welcoming Daniel and Kayla Rupp and their four children as they accept God’s call on their lives and make their new home in Fayetteville, with Central and UA Wesley.

 

In Christ,
Jan Davis

Senior Pastor