wfn.org | CORRECTION (This is a corrected version of release no. 98b-13

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org (DISCNEWS)]

Northwest, Illinois/Wisconsin regions call new executives
Date: March 11, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

98b-13

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- A Detroit pastor and former Homeland
Ministries executive, and the senior minister of a large Illinois congregation
received calls March 7 to new regional ministry posts.

     The Rev. Jack Sullivan, Jr., begins May 15 as regional minister of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Northwest. The Rev. Herbert L.
Knudsen, Bloomington, begins May 1 as regional minister of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) in Illinois and Wisconsin.

     Sullivan, who succeeds the Rev. Robert C. Brock, becomes the second
African American to serve as a regional minister in the Indianapolis-based
denomination. The first was the Rev. John R. Compton, Sr., who headed the
Indiana region from 1979 to 1982. 

     Since November 1995, Sullivan has been senior pastor of United
Christian Church in Detroit. He served as a Homeland Ministries associate for
African American Christian education from 1989 to 1995.

     The NW regional minister-elect has a doctor of ministry (1993) from
United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, and a master of divinity degree
(1986) from Lexington (Ky.) Theological Seminary. He earned a bachelor of arts
degree in 1983 from Ohio State University in Athens.

     After seminary he served as associate regional minister for the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) in Mid-America and was pastor of Second Christian
Church, Jefferson City, Mo.

     He currently is a member of the Council on Christian Unity Board of
directors and the Association of Christian Church Educators, and is president of
the Michigan Black Disciples Caucus. In Detroit, Sullivan is active with Citizens
Against Arson and Peoples Community Services, and is an adjunct professor at
Marygrove College. 
 
     Sullivan and his spouse, Gloria, have one child, Nia, and are expecting a
second. Gloria is a former staff member of the Office of General Minister and
President.

     The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Northwest comprises
8,300 participating members in 77 congregations in Washington, northern Idaho,
and Anchorage, Alaska.

     Knudsen, who also will be based in Bloomington, succeeds the Rev.
Nathan S. "Pete" Smith, who retires April 8. The Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) in Illinois and Wisconsin counts more than 28,000 participating members
in 193 congregations.

     The new regional minister-elect has been senior pastor of First Christian
Church, Bloomington, since 1990. The veteran pastor served from 1973-1990 as
minister of First Christian Church in Downer's Grove, Ill. 

     The Colorado native has a doctor of ministry degree (1979) from Chicago
Theological Seminary. He also holds master of arts (1973) and master of divinity
degrees (1971) from Sangamon State University, Springfield, Ill., and Wesley
Theological Seminary, Washington, D.C. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in
1968 from Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa. 

     Knudsen has an extensive record of involvement with Illinois/Wisconsin
regional ministries including the College of Professional Christian Ministers, the
New Church Start steering committee, the regional board, personnel commission
and the evangelism committee.  

     He was a teaching parish supervisor for the University of Chicago
Divinity School from 1977-1990. In the Bloomington community he has been
chair of the downtown commission. He is currently vice president of the Young
Men's Club and serves on the delegates board of BroMenn Regional Medical
Center. In 1996 Knudsen was named one of 10 top executives and community
leaders in the McLean County (Ill.).  

     Knudsen and his spouse, Barbara, have two adult sons, Rob and Chris,
both of whom live in Chicago.

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DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206, tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and Information Assistant; (CWILLIS@oc.disciples.org) Cliff Willis, Director of News and Information; (CMILLER@oc.disciples.org) Executive Director