Sam W. Dixon
Deputy General Secretary, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), The General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
United Methodists know the Rev. Sam W. Dixon as a person who encourages the development of warmer hearts and more willing hands in reaching out to others. Rev. Dixon has returned to United Methodist Committee on Relief after nine years in other national church assignments. "UMCOR represents one of the primary ways through which United Methodist people live out their faith as caring, generous members of the human family," he said.
In his role as deputy general secretary, he oversees programs that range in scope from international development and peacebuilding to long-term disaster recovery and special ministries to marginalized people. UMCOR is the relief and development unit of the General Board of Global Ministries, a United Methodist agency. Rev. Dixon is also the deputy general secretary for Mission Volunteers.
Rev. Dixon's 24 years in pastoral ministry and special assignments in the North Carolina Annual Conference led him to Global Ministries in 1998. In his first turn with UMCOR he led the field operations unit (nongovernmental organization), overseeing community based health care, refugee resettlement, agricultural and small business development, micro-credit, opportunities fostering peace and reconciliation, and a youth house ministry for children and youth recovering from the traumatic experiences of war.
He also served as head of the United Methodist Development Fund and most recently was deputy general secretary assigned to the Evangelization and Church Growth unit.
Rev. Dixon was educated at the University of North Carolina and Chicago Theological Seminary, "The church has a mission to reach out to all people-our sisters and brothers-no matter how near or far," he said. "UMCOR is a path for transformation because it provides tools and techniques for living in difficult circumstances and for anticipating a better future."
Sam is married to Cindy Leapley of Wilson, North Carolina and they have four adult children and two grandchildren.
