Unity Worldwide Ministries History

The Association of Unity Churches was created in the mid-1960s to serve the needs of the churches and ministers throughout the movement.

As the Unity movement was growing, it became increasingly complex to manage the needs of the field ministries. In the mid-1960s, Unity School of Christianity suggested that Unity ministers form a group to support the work of the churches. This resulted in better services for the churches and ministers.

Our organization's overarching/ongoing services include:

  • Progressive, transparent, frequent and interactive communication through multiple mediums
  • Education, CE credits, credentialing 
  • Employment services for ministers and ministries
  • Expansion ministry support
  • Leadership training and development for boards, ministry teams, etc.
  • Administrative support/consulting – HR policy, IRS, pension, manse, etc.
  • Ministry Consulting and Ministry Transition Support (formerly Peace Skills) and ethics peer review
  • Events – Convention, Annual Summit, IYOU, Youth & Family Ministry training, ministry team meetings, consultant trainings
  • Marketing of UWM’s services and products to the field

The formation of the Association of Unity Churches created two major organizations within the movement─the Association being the lesser-known. In 2011, the Association of Unity Churches International adopted the Unity Identity Program. As a result, we changed our name to Unity Worldwide Ministries. This focus on the Unity brand is uniting and strengthening our movement, making us more easily recognizable to the general public.

In 2016 Unity Institute closed its doors and Unity Worldwide Ministries took over the responsibility for training our Unity ministers and licensed teachers. In the fall of 2016 Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute went live with a totally online school. This school not only serves our future Unity leaders, but all those who are interested in our teachings. Anyone who wants to know more about Unity and its principles can now go to www.UWSI.org and sign up for classes.

In 2017 Unity World Headquarters at Unity Village invited Unity Worldwide Ministries and Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute to once again reside on Unity Village grounds. In August 2017 UWM packed up our offices and moved into the previously-known Education Building. This is the same building that houses the Peace Chapel and Fillmore Chapel. Once again the leadership of the Unity movement is located at Unity Village.


A history of Unity

"Development of Unity Worldwide Ministries" article  by Tom Thorpe

 

Rev. Toni Fish
♦2019-2020

 

 

 

 

Rev. Sharon Ketchum
♦2018-2019

 

 

 

 

Rev. Richard Bunch
♦2016-2017

 

 

 

 

Rev. Karen Tudor
♦2015-2016

 

 

 

 

Tim Alderman (1st Lay Leader)
♦2015-2016

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Diane Venzera
♦2014-2015

 

 

 

 

Rev. Mary Masters
♦2013-2014

 

 

 

 

Rev. Julie Armour
♦2012-2013

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Jim Lee
♦2011-2012

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. David McArthur
♦2010-2011

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Julie Montague
♦2009-2010

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Marilyn Muehlbach
♦2008-2009

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Dan Holloway
♦2007-2008

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Pat Williamson
♦2006-2007

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Roger Goodwin
♦2005-2006

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Juan Enrique Toro
♦2004-2005

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Argentina Glasgow
♦2003-2004

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Clare Austin
♦2002-2003

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Diane Sickler
♦2001-2002

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Richard Mantei
♦2000-2001

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Sharon Connors
♦1999-2000

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. John Strickland
♦1998-1999

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Jimmie Scott
♦1997-1998

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Norma Iris Rosado
♦1996-1997

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Joel W. Baehr
♦1995-1996
♦1994-1995

 

 

 

 

Rev. Martha "Pat" Barker
♦1993-1994

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Alan Rowbotham
♦1992-1993

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Edie Skalitzky
♦1991-1992

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. R. Scott Sherman
♦1990-1991

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Nancy Neal
♦1989-1990

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. V. Stanford Hampson
♦1988-1989

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Maya Brandenberger
♦1987-1988

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Jim Rosemergy
♦1986-1987

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Larry Swartz
♦1985-1986

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Marshall "Max" Lafser
♦1984-1985

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Jay Dishman
♦1983-1984
♦1982-1983 (2 terms)

 

 

 

 

Rev. Jack Barker
♦1981-1982

 

 

 

 

Rev. Ruth Mosley
♦1980-1981

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. David McClure
♦1979-1980

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Jack E. Boland
♦1979-1980
♦1978-1979

 

 

 

 

Rev. Bernard Dozier
♦1977-1978

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Paul C. Barrett
♦1977-1978
♦1976-1977

 

 

 

 

Rev. Joyce Kramer
♦1975-1976

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. James C. Lewis
♦1974-1975
♦1973-1974

 

 

 

 

Rev. Robert L. Stevens
♦1972-1973
♦1971-1972

 

 

 

 

Rev. Dorothy M. Pierson
♦1970-1971
♦1969-1970
 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Grover Thornsberry
♦1968-1969
♦1967-1968

 

 

 

 

Rev. Glenn Mosley
♦1966-1967

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Phillip M. Pierson
♦1965-1966

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Johnnie Colemon
♦1964-1965

 

 

 

 

 

Rev. William W. Helmbold
♦1963-1964
♦1962-1963

 

 

 

 

Rev. Mary L. Kupferle
♦1961-1962
♦1960-1961
 

 

 

 

 

Rev. Charles A Neal

♦1959-1960
♦1958-1959
♦1957-1958