The Hub for (Re)imagining Ministry

Bringing Church Home

Discover how to nurture meaningful faith practices for children and caregivers by joining a vibrant community of learners dedicated to supporting families and congregations. With our focus on collaboration and spiritually connected exploration, seminary associates journey with congregational teams as they create and imagine new ways to live out Christian spiritual practices at home.

Children of Faith

Exploring intergenerational worship with children at the center through national research,  regional learning days, and year-long supported congregational cohorts. Student associates, faculty, clergy, and churches will co-create practices that encourage a sense of belonging and inspire all generations to participate actively in worship. 

Engaging Young Adults

Built from nearly a decade of research with congregations, EYA is a fully online, cohort-based training and coaching for churches aiming to connect deeply with young adults. Participants enhance their professional networks and gain valuable experience in innovative ministry practices while learning from Hub experts and being guided by trained young adult coaches. 

Training and Resources

The Hub at Wesley DC serves as a vibrant space where faith leaders converge to explore ministry practices that resonate with their communities. By fostering a culture of collaboration and curiosity, we empower leaders to forge transformative paths that are both spiritually enriched and inclusively engaging. Wesley DC students, faculty and experienced coaches guide communities through processes of deep listening, experimentation, and renewal. 

Core Leadership

Rev. Beth Ludlum, DMin
Executive Director, The Hub for (Re)imagining Ministry and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Wesley Theological Seminary
An ordained elder in the United Methodist Church (UMC), Beth is passionate about empowering young adults in leadership and revitalizing ministry. At Wesley DC, she leads strategic planning, partnership development, and new program development across the seminary; with The Hub, she oversees all programs, helps design and facilitate curricula, and cultivates funding and partnership possibilities. She also teaches masters-level courses related to innovation in ministry.

Rev. Emily A. Peck, ThD
Director of Research and Education, The Hub for (Re)imagining Ministry and Visiting Professor of Christian Formation and Young Adult Ministry, Wesley Theological Seminary

Emily is an ordained United Methodist pastor from the New York Annual Conference whose ministry has been focused on youth ministry, Christian education, and urban ministry. She teaches classes to both Masters and Doctor of Ministry students in Christian education and formation, New Testament epistles, practical theology, and innovation in ministry. Her doctorate is in Christian education and New Testament, and her research interests include individual and community formation and transformation, youth ministry, and Pauline theology. Emily also co-directs the certificate in Children and Youth Ministry and Advocacy. 

Julie Hagen, MDiv
Director of Programs & Engagement
A lay member in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the UMC, with a background in business development and nonprofit management, Julie delights in working with congregations and young people who want to imagine church differently. She leads budgeting processes and cohort formation across Hub projects and develops sustainability plans for key initiatives.

Rev. Karen E. Stewart, DMin
Director of Programs and Engagement
Karen E. Stewart is a licensed and ordained Baptist pastor with a DMin from United Theological Seminary. She provides leadership to the Bringing Church Home and the Children of Faith projects as well as leading the expansion of the Hub’s programs into the Desert Southwest. With over 30 years of experience in the non-profit and faith community, Karen directs her energy to serve on boards and with organizations that align with her passion for the Church, children and families. Karen resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

Leah Huggins
Program Administrator
A full-time MDiv student and candidate for ordained ministry in the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Leah’s professional experience includes project management and human resources.

Mae Czarnecki
Communications and Marketing Associate
A seasoned communicator with experience and expertise in nonprofit and religious communications, Mae brings 15 years of storytelling to the Hub team. With a heart for illuminating stories that matter, Mae is passionate about creating awareness around The Hub’s mission and vision while living out its values of collaboration, imagination, and responsiveness. She finds joy in using creative gifts to share the transformative work of faith leaders and communities who are (re)imagining ministry for today’s world.

Student Associates

Angela Pupino
MDiv student and Student Ministries Coordinator at National UMC in Washington, DC; candidate for ordination in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Kristal Neale
MDiv student and candidate for ordained ministry in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Michael Crockett
Second-year MDiv student and candidate for military chaplaincy in the United States Air Force.

Coaches and Advisors

Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt
Senior Pastor of Epworth Chapel UMC in Baltimore, MD, and supervising pastor of the Beloved Community Cooperative Ministry.

Rev. Shelley Stanley Smith
Conference Secretary of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the UMC and Senior Pastor of Ferry Avenue UMC in Camden, NJ.

Rev. Dr. Brian Brown
Pastor of Woodlawn-Faith UMC in Alexandria, VA, with experience in coaching church leaders and facilitating training.

Rev. Melissa Dunlap
Ordained elder in the UMC and church consultant, coaching pastors and writing grants for new church starts.

Rev. Jack Shitama
Executive Director at Pecometh Camp & Retreat Ministries in Centreville, MD, and Director for the Center for Vital Leadership.

Rev. Barbara Miner
Associate Pastor and Worship Leader at Floris UMC in Herndon, VA, and member of the Board of Governors at Wesley Theological Seminary.