Contact: Marsia Van Wormer, Christian Stewardship Network, 817-658-5193, marsia@christianstewardshipnetwork.org
DALLAS, April 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Christian Stewardship Network (CSN) has elected Gunnar Johnson, Executive Pastor of Financial Stewardship at Gateway Church of Southlake, Texas, as its new President.
He replaces Jerry Schriver, the organization's President since 2006. CSN's leadership transition took place during its recent Financial Forum in Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Johnson announced a priority commitment to build a comprehensive stewardship ministry paradigm which serves every person -- from those who are struggling financially to those who have an "abundant surplus." He said "My heart is to see people walk in financial freedom and live the life which God created for them in Christ."
Johnson has been an active member and board member of CSN for the past four years, and has been instrumental in creating a redirected focus which CSN is positioned to assume. Prior to coming to Gateway, he was a business entrepreneur who established, owned and operated two successful companies.
CSN's directors emphasized that "Gunnar brings innovative and necessary tools to equip our members to understand the instrumental role which stewardship ministry plays in the growth and advancement of the 21st century church. He has worked closely with financial ministries such as Crown Financial and Dave Ramsey to develop and tools necessary to advance the local church body and also to reach across international borders to bring the stewardship message to Latin America, Europe, and Israel."
Johnson praised Schriver, CSN's exiting president, "as an essential part of the organization since its inception in 2002." He said Schriver has been a highly respected professional in modern stewardship management. "Jerry has deep roots starting at Atlanta's Perimeter Church where he was one of the first individuals to give the ministry of stewardship a position of respect and focus." Schriver was unanimously honored as a retired honorary member of the advisory board.
Also voted into the position of CSN Executive Director was Marsia Van Wormer, from Southlake, Texas. She brings "a rich business background and previous retail director experience to advance membership growth." She has been tasked to expand CSN’s nationwide recognition and create a platform for stewardship pastors and champions to utilize to organize and activate the church body towards a culture of generosity and applying biblical stewardship principles. She was previously Regional Director of Guess Jeans, where she directed successful growth and brand awareness programs.
The CSN Financial Forum is a peer-educational event for the members of the organization as well as other stewardship leaders from across the nation, and is held annually at different church locations. This year's event featured Chuck Bentley of Crown Financial Ministries as keynote speaker, and included sessions taught by stewardship champions Dick Towner of Good $ense Ministry and Brian Kluth from MAXIMUM Generosity. Next year's Forum will be February 8-10 in Southlake, Texas.
The Christian Stewardship Network is a ministry of stewardship pastors and leaders who serve in the local church. Its motto is "Networking God's People to Effectively Manage God-Entrusted Resources." More information is on its internet homepage: www.ChristianStewardshipNetwork.com
Note: Photos available upon request.
