The Distinguished Evangelist in Residence is a position that provides a specialized staff person in Evangelism for the General Board of Discipleship. The current Distinguished Evangelist at the General Board of Discipleship is the Rev. Royal Speidel, a retired pastor (since 2001) from the Northern Illinois Conference.

As Distinguished Evangelist in Residence, Speidel offers seminars, training, resources and support to assist conference leaders and congregations in areas of evangelism, congregational revitalization, and congregational development. He also works with the evangelism staff of the General Board of Discipleship to develop a comprehensive evangelism strategy for The United Methodist Church.

Kwasi Kena, Director of Evangelism at the General Board of Discipleship, said, "Royal has demonstrated an ability to assist leaders in the critical task of effective disciple making. He will be a great asset to the General Board of Discipleship by helping us achieve and enhance our vision of cultivating a culture of witness and by strengthening leaders in our United Methodist connection to be effective disciple makers."

During his more than 40 years of ministry, Speidel has served a country church, a small-town 2-point charge, Chicago suburban churches, and an urban Chicago church. His experience is in congregational development and congregational revitalization. He has a vision for recruiting new members and leading innovative congregations.

Speidel earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Westmar College, LeMars, IA; a master of divinity from Evangelical Theological Seminary, Naperville, IL, and a master of sacred theology from Biblical Theological Seminary, New York, NY. He earned his doctor of ministry degree from Bethany Theological Seminary, Oak Brook, IL.

Speidel received the Denman Award from the Northern Illinois Conference, and he was runner-up for the national CIRCUIT RIDER AWARD. He received the "Pastor of the Year Award" from the Greater Chicago Sunday School Association.

Royal is the author of the book, Evangelism in the Small Membership Church, published by Abingdon Press(227) and numerous other articles. He presently offers two great workshops: "Putting Excitement into your Spiritual Life" and "Loving Others to God."