Niels French

I work as as Director of Operations and International Ministries for the Faith & Health Division of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, TN. The division manages chaplaincy, church relations, volunteers, employee assistance programs, clergy health, community health and system health initiatives for a 6-hospital system owned by the United Methodist annual conferences of Mississippi, Arkansas and Memphis.

I have also served extensively as a missionary with the United Methodist Church and have worked in Zaire (Congo), Kenya, Algeria and Atlanta assisting with development, health infrastructure, construction, refugee camp administration and wellness programs.

I serve as an affiliate to the Task Force. My interest in the Task Force is to see to see the church open its doors fully to all God's people. I often despair at the country club mentality of our churches where so much is devoted to preservaton of the institution and self-service, with very little given to outside-the-walls ministry. Yet a splendid moment for my church was when a young girl with Down syndrome was invited to the pulpit to proudly display to the entire congregation the medals she won at the Special Olympics