Our Professional Staff

Our qualified and experienced staff is on hand to manage the day-to-day dealings of the Foundation and to ensure its financial success. We have offices in both Grand Rapids and Okemos serving all of Michigan of Michigan.

Wayne Barrett
President & Executive Director
Grand Rapids

The Rev. Dr. Wayne C. Barrett has been President and Executive Director of the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan since 1982. To date, he has served over 800 congregations across the United States with programs and consultations in planned giving, capital funding, and stewardship development. With certification in financial planning and planned giving, Dr. Barrett has also done graduate study in accounting, finance, and taxation. Under his leadership the Foundation's funds under management have increased by more than $65,000,000.

A prolific author, Wayne has written featured articles for many of the leading church-related magazines in the U.S., as well a authoring three best-selling stewardship books, the most recent of which is Get Well! Stay Well! Prescriptions for a Financially Healthy Congregation, published by Discipleship Resources. A much-in-demand speaker, Wayne has served as featured presenter throughout the U.S. and Canada, including event such as the Robert Schuller Institute for Successful Church Leadership, the North American Conference on Christian Philanthropy, the United Methodist Convocation on Development, and The Planned Giving School. read more
 

David Bell
Vice-President, Stewardship
Okemos

David Bell serves as Vice-President of Stewardship with The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. David’s experience includes stewardship consultation, organizational visioning, leadership development, and charitable planned giving. He creates hope by providing practical consultation and motivational seminars for United Methodist congregations. He empowers leaders to discover their vital role in enabling communities of faith to embody a generous culture.

He addresses the often-overlooked spiritual discipline of generosity, the debilitating impact of hyperconsumerism on giving, and the positive cycle of abundance-focused communities. The growing demand for his intuitive, strategic vision and passionate leadership is significant. One of David’s recognized strengths is his personal understanding of organizations from various perspectives. He gained experience as a pastor, a development director, and a regional and national church leader. read more
 

Kay Yoder
Director of Accounting Services
Grand Rapids

Kay grew up in Indiana then moved to Michigan to attend Western Michigan University. After living in Europe for 2 years she returned to Michigan and worked for 15 years in public accounting. Answering a call from her church she took a year leave to serve in Indonesia. Upon returning she decided to specialize in non-profit accounting and worked with several non-profit agencies, setting up accounting systems and maintaining financial records. Kay has been working with the Foundation, first on a part-time basis, and then full time for 18 years.

In addition to her work, she serves as an officer for her church, treasurer for the West Michigan Quilters Guild, advisor for a local SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) program, and member of the area Slow Food Convivium, encouraging eating of local, healthy and fair foods.
 

Marian Coles
Grand Rapids Office Manager
Grand Rapids

Marian currently serves as the Operations Manager for the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. She holds both a Master’s of Science Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.

Marian worked for 10 plus years as a human resource manager. In this area she worked extensively with benefit management, conflict resolution, recruitment of professional staff and customer service training.

Marian has been employed by the United Methodist Church since 2001 in the areas of education, volunteer coordination and the credentialing of ministerial candidates through the Board of Ordained Ministry.

©2010 All rights reserved. The United Methodist Foundation of Michigan. This website does not attempt to make specific legal or tax advice. For advice on how to handle your individual situation, the services of a competent legal, tax, or financial planning professional should be obtained.

SPOTLIGHT

The Abundance of God’s Living Water

By David S. Bell

Imagine a less than full glass of water sitting on the table. If you are particularly thirsty, you may desire a full glass of water or perhaps even a refill after drinking the first glass. If you are not at all thirsty, then it may be a great effort to drink whatever amount of water is in the glass. Is there enough water in the glass? It depends. read more

Fund management, investments, and stewardship services to help individuals, churches, and other United Methodist ministries.

"Laying a good foundation for the future." I Timothy 6:19