The Foundation for Evangelism held its annual donor recognition banquet on October 30, 2010 at the Terrace Auditorium, Lake Junaluska, N.C.  The evening began with prayer by Dr. Kwasi Kena of The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. During the banquet several individuals were recognized, including the 2010 Distinguished Evangelist of The United Methodist Church, Rev. Shane Bishop. Rev. Bishop is senior pastor at Christ United Methodist Church in Fairview Heights, Ill., and has a passion for seeing people come to Christ. He and the congregation he serves consider it their main mission to “move and connect people with Jesus Christ.” Rev. Bishop was presented the Distinguished Evangelist Award by Mr. Lane Rees, chair of the board of trustees for the Foundation, and Dr. Jack Ewing, Executive Director.  Bishop was invited to speak at the evening’s event and related an inspiring story of how God called him, and continues to call him to minister to those who do not know Jesus.

During the evening’s event, Mary Brooke Casad ,the board chair elect was introduced and greeted the Foundation’s guests. Mrs. Casad will assume the chair position in 2012. Also, Dr. Jack Ewing announced that he will be leaving the Foundation to take the executive director position with Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center beginning January 2011. He introduced Mrs. Jane Wood as the interim executive director of The Foundation for Evangelism. Mrs. Wood was appointed to the position by the board of trustees and will officially assume the role in January 2011. A search committee appointed by the board of trustees will begin the process of identifying a new executive director by the end of April 2011. The evening closed with prayer by Rev. Daniel Gomez.