Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., episcopal leader of the Central and North Texas Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church, along with the CTC and NTC cabinets and the Personnel Committee, has named two individuals to positions in the new Horizon Texas Conference.

Christine Peirce will serve as director of child and youth empowerment effective September 1. In this role, she will establish an environment for the spiritual, emotional and social growth and development of children and youth across the conference. This will involve providing support and training for children’s and youth ministry staff in local churches to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and resources for effectiveness and growth. Pierce will collaborate with denominational leaders, child welfare agencies, community organizations and stakeholders to create partnerships and networks that support and advocate for the well-being of children, youth and their families in our communities. Prior to this role, Peirce served as the student ministries director and coordinator for the Central Texas Conference and as the student ministries director at Arlington Heights UMC.

“I have a passion for understanding the moments and experiences that connect our children, students, graduates and young families to the United Methodist faith and the church’s work in the world. To be able to use my energy and experience in this area to serve the Horizon Texas Conference is a real gift,” said Peirce. “As we create and shape an entirely new annual conference, I’m looking forward to understanding what makes the church relevant to our children and young people, and to building strategically in those areas as we create a church future generations will value and value.”

"Throughout the past two and a half years, I have seen Christine's incredible dedication and passion for children's and youth ministry, both within the local church and at the conference level," said Saenz. "Children were at the heart of Jesus' ministry. Forming and advocating for children and youth will continue to be a priority for the Horizon Texas Conference. With Christine's leadership in this area, we will develop a vision for the spiritual, emotional, mental, relational and social well-being of the young people in our communities, and we will utilize the strengths of our new, unified conference to achieve that vision.”

Kofi Williams has also been named to serve as an administrative assistant specializing in event planning. Williams brings 30 years of executive and C-suite administrative experience, having served as executive assistant at the United Way of Tarrant County and as executive assistant to the provost at The University of Dallas. Williams is also an ICF-certified personal development and wellness coach and inspirational speaker. Her role with the Horizon Texas Conference began August 14.

“As of just a few months ago, the Horizon Texas Conference had vacant staff positions represented by mere circles on an organizational chart. Today, our conference is fully staffed with gifted and talented individuals,” said Saenz. “The Horizon Texas Conference will experience great encouragement and inspiration in the remarkable people who make up this team. It's worth noting that each of them was carefully discerned and fervently prayed for before assuming their roles. Today, these exceptionally gifted individuals are embracing their respective callings and responsibilities and are poised to lead us into this exciting new chapter as the Horizon Texas Conference.”

More information about the unification process can be found at www.nwtxconf.org/unification.