Dr. Alisha Vincent (left) receives the 2020 Francis Asbury Award from Rev. Rebecca Trefz during a recent ceremony in the Sherman Center, on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD.

The Francis Asbury Award for 2020 has been awarded to Dr. Alisha Vincent of Dakota Wesleyan University. Dr. Vincent has played a key role in the development of our clergy through The Nonprofit Church Leadership Certificate Program (NPCL), a cooperative project of Dakota Wesleyan University and the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences, underwritten by the Lilly Grant Endowment Fund.

The NPCL is a one-year, graduate program that has produced tremendous fruit by equipping our clergy to lead churches in accomplishing our mission. The program is also an example of the power of connection—connection with the Minnesota Conference, connection with our Foundation, and connection with our United Methodist Dakota Wesleyan University, DWU.

The 2019 cohort of clergy began the Nonprofit Church Leadership in July of 2019. Since then, many fruitful projects have bee presented by clergy from each cohort.

Alisha says, “Jesus was all about bringing people together, to do good work together, and he called on multiple people to go forward and multiply, in a connected way.”

Named for early American Methodist Bishop Francis Asbury, the annually awarded Francis Asbury Award honors his call to establish a school in the vicinity of every church. “We must,” he said, “ … give the key of knowledge to your children, and those of the poor in the vicinity of your small towns and villages.”

Dr. Alisha Vincent.

Today, the Francis Asbury Award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to fostering United Methodist ministries in higher education at the local, district or annual conference level. It is awarded annually to one honoree per annual conference. Dr. Vincent, through her exemplary service to clergy education, has made a positive and lasting difference in the life and mission of The United Methodist Church.

Dr. Vincent’s important work through the NPCL program, as well as her work with undergraduate students, is impacting the current church as well as the mission of the church for generations come. Congratulations, Dr. Alisha Vincent, the 2020 Francis Asbury Award recipient.