Foundation Names New Board Chair and Members

The United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana Board of Trustees elected a new Chair of the Board and two new board members at its Annual Meeting last month.

Current Board Chair Omer Davis installed Rev. Michi Head as the new Board Chair, and Rev. John Robert Black and Rev. Jo Ann Cooper were elected to the Board of Trustees. They will begin their new terms June 1.

Rev. Michi Head

Rev. Head was ordained as a deacon in the Louisiana Annual Conference in 1988 and an elder in full connection in 1990. He retired in June of 2020 after 32 years of appointive ministry in the United Methodist Church, and serves in semi-retirement as the pastor of New Life Community United Methodist Church in Luling. Prior to his retirement, Rev. Head served as senior pastor of Jefferson United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge for eight years. He has served as a member of the UMFLa Board since 2012.

Rev. Black currently serves as senior pastor of St. Luke-Simpson United Methodist Church in Lake Charles. He holds a BBA from Northwestern State University, a Masters in Business Education from Louisiana Tech University, and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary. He has held numerous board and leadership positions, such as the Board of Ordained Ministry, ULM Wesley Board and Chairperson of the Louisiana Asbury Alumni.

Rev. Cooper currently serves as senior pastor of Gretna United Methodist Church. Rev. Cooper was appointed a local pastor to the Louisiana Conference in 2001. She has completed the Ministerial Courses of Study housed at Millsaps College, and is certified in Spiritual Direction through the Louisiana Annual Conference, Garrett Theological Seminary and the General Board of Higher Education. She also serves on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, Division of Elders.

 Rev. Weldon Bares, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles, and Lt. Col. Jarvis Jones of New Orleans were recognized for their service to the Board, as their terms ended.

 “We value these leaders who so generously give of their time and talent to our board,” said Foundation President Chris Spencer. “Their broad range of skills and experiences will expand our board’s impact as we strive to carry out our mission to serve our churches, donors and Methodist-related ministries across Louisiana.” 

Located in Baton Rouge, the United Methodist Foundation of Louisiana was founded in 1975 and serves United Methodist churches, institutions and individuals through planned giving education, financial management, loans and grants.  It is one of the largest United Methodist Foundations in the denomination, with approximately $230 million in assets under management.

Rev. John Robert Black

Rev. Jo Ann Cooper

Rev. Weldon Bares

Lt. Col. Jarvis Jones