Gary Dean
District Superintendent
Augusta District
(706) 651-8621
gary.dean@ngumc.net
As superintendent, Gary's primary responsibility is to provide executive leadership and oversee the day-to-day operations of the Augusta District, which consists of 90 churches and 91 pastors spread across an 11-county area. He believes the most rewarding aspect of his present position will always be the opportunity to care for others, grow, and meet new people. "I love being in fellowship with Christian believers, and tell all of my churches to call me when they have special invitations.
I go to their worship services, fall festivals, revivals, and Wednesday night suppers because it is my belief that as their pastor, leader, and superintendent" if charge conference is the only time during the year they see me "something is wrong with that picture," he says. "I view myself solely as a spiritually led servant leader and always quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 'That the cause for which we serve has to be greater than we ourselves.'
And I remind myself every day that it is the cause of Christ for which I serve." Gary's top priority is to reconnect and reacquaint the pastors and laity with their superintendent, the Conference, and United Methodism as a whole by spending whatever time is necessary with them and by offering educational training on topics such as missions, apportionment giving, and pastoral appointments.
"I am proud to be a United Methodist," he says, "and love the structure, the accountability, the doctrine, and the commitment to missions that we have." Another objective is to produce well-qualified candidates for ministry via a recruitment process that evaluates gifts and graces and assesses a person's willingness to evidence receipt of their call.