WILMORE, Ky., November 19, 2024—On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, the Board of Trustees of Asbury Theological Seminary held a Passing of the Gavel ceremony to recognize the election of a new interim board chair and vice chair and honor the retiring board members. Karen Thomas, the current board chair, will complete her 15-year term at the end of this year. Thomas has served the board for almost 30 years, having been elected in 1995 before the board voted to apply term limits in 2008. 

In addition, Steve Moore, the current vice chair of the board, will also complete his term limit and depart the board. Moore was elected to the board in 2009. Due to his vital role as the chair of the Presidential Search Committee, the board decided to implement a measure that would allow Moore to remain in that position despite his departure from the board. He will continue to lead the Presidential Search process until a new president is named.

The board elected Helen Rhea Stumbo to act as interim chair and celebrated with a Passing of the Gavel ceremony in which Thomas handed the symbolic gavel of the board chair to Stumbo. Additionally, Andy Hurst was elected to act as Interim Vice Chair. The Governance Committee, in consultation with Interim President Dr. David Gyertson and the Executive Leadership Committee (formerly called the President’s Cabinet), determined to maintain continuity in leadership on a one-year interim basis during the transitional period of the office of the president and board leadership. Board members Anna Jackson and Steve Elliott will continue to serve as interim secretary and interim treasurer, respectively.

“On behalf of Asbury Seminary’s Executive Leadership Team, faculty, and staff, I would like to thank Karen Thomas and Steve Moore for their years of faithful service to the board of trustees,” says Dr. Gyertson. “Together, they have dedicated much of their lives to helping Asbury Seminary fulfill its mission, and our institution is greatly indebted to their sacrificial service. We pray blessings over Karen and Steve and their families for this new season of their lives.”