With the announced mid-term retirement of the Rev. Robert D. Rush as the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church a search team was formed, the job was posted, and yesterday the General Assembly Ministry Council announced that their nominee to fill the partial term is the Rev. Michael Sharpe.

Rev. Sharpe currently works for the denomination as the executive director of the Missions Ministry Team, previously the Board of Missions before the denominational reorganization. (And still reflected in the web site architecture.)  The press release cites his leadership through the reorganization as well as his denominational experience as strengths he brings to the position.  While he began in parish ministry he has been working for the denomination in the area of missions since 1989.  He has been the director of the Board of Missions and now the Missions Ministry Team since 1999.  The press release lists an extensive number of ministries and units that he has worked with in his 21 years with the denomination.  He is a member in good standing of Red River Presbytery.

Our best wishes and prayers for the Rev. Sharpe as he assumes this position following his confirmation by the General Assembly in June.