Dirdak leaves United Methodist Committee on Relief
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The Rev. Paul Dirdak surveys the damage in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, following the
Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami. A UMNS file photo by Mike DuBose.
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By Linda Bloom*
Feb. 1, 2007 | NEW YORK (UMNS)
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The Rev. Paul Dirdak
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The Rev. Paul Dirdak has left his position as chief executive of the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
His departure, effective Jan. 31, was announced by the Rev. R. Randy
Day, chief executive of the Board of Global Ministries, UMCOR's parent
agency. Dirdak, who has led UMCOR since 1998, also had overseen Mission
Volunteers and Health and Welfare Ministries for the board during his
tenure there.
Dirdak, a clergy member of the denomination's California-Nevada Annual
(regional) Conference, resigned to pursue new professional
opportunities, according to a statement from the Board of Global
Ministries. He said he was pleased "to have been a part of the expansion
of UMCOR's capacity."
The Rev. Sam Dixon, a staff executive who currently oversees the board's
evangelization and church growth unit, will assume Dirdak's duties on
an interim basis, according to Day. Dixon previously led UMCOR's
nongovernmental organization unit.
Day told United Methodist News Service that he will work closely with
Dixon to enhance and expand partnerships with the denomination's annual
(regional) conferences and agencies.
"In my heart, I want our denomination to move spiritually and
substantially to an ever-deeper level of caring for and advocating for
the poorest of the poor, especially the children, as an expression of
the Gospel," he said.
A search committee to seek Dirdak's successor is expected to be named
when directors of the Board of Global Ministries meet in April.
Before joining the staff of UMCOR, Dirdak was a director of the Board of
Global Ministries from 1988 to 1996 and was president of the board's
National Division from 1992 to 1996. He also served as chairman of the
Interagency Task Force on AIDS, created by the United Methodist General
Conference, from 1988 to 1996, and was a director of the General Council
on Ministries, which was phased out of existence in 2004.
During his tenure at UMCOR, the budget increased from about $30 million
to $100 million as the agency not only followed a mandate to provide
humanitarian relief and rehabilitation, but also became internationally
known for work in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Haiti and Africa.
In the past few years, UMCOR has helped direct tens of millions of
dollars from United Methodists - as well as grants from outside agencies
- into comprehensive disaster relief programs for those affected by the
South Asia tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the U.S. Gulf
Coast.
Based on its track record and relationship with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, UMCOR was asked to manage Katrina Aid Today, a
coalition of organizations assisting hurricane victims through a $66
million grant. Dirdak also credited UMCOR's experience overseeing a
large, church-funded case management program assisting families and
individuals affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.
News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
video interview
The Rev. Paul Dirdak: “These events happen every year.”
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