Executive Director Rev. T Brian Bakeman
Brian Bakeman is an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church and semi-retired, currently serving as the Executive Director for the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. He currently serves as Chair of the Oklahoma Conference Commission on Archives and History, a member of the General Commission on Archives and History, Chair of the Neighborhood Services Organization (NSO) Finance Committee and serves on the Board of Directors of El Sistema Orchestra of Oklahoma City. He and his wife attend St. Luke’s United Methodist Church where Brian teaches a bible study and most Sundays can be found teaching a Sunday School class. For fun and relaxation, Brian plays the violin in the Oklahoma Community Orchestra, plays bridge and loves to travel. Having served 32 years in church finance and administration, Brian has been awarded life-time Certification as a United Methodist Administrator by GCF&A. Brian is married to Julia and together they have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren.
Associate Director Rev, Linda Brinkworth
Rev. Linda L. Brinkworth, an ordained elder of the United Methodist Church was raised in northwest Oklahoma City. Her college career spanned 20 years, completing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts at Oklahoma City University in 1989. She completed a Master’s of Divinity at Phillips Theological Seminary in 1993, graduating Cum Laude. After 8 years on staff at Church of the Servant as Minister of Discipleship and Spiritual Growth, Rev. Brinkworth served in appointment as Director of Resident Life at Epworth Villa for 4 years. She is retired from full time ministry in 2015 from St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City.
Rev. Brinkworth is excited about joining the ministry team of the South Central Jurisdiction and looks forward to working with Rev. Brian Bakeman as well as the Mission Council and other Jurisdiction councils and committees.
SCJ Director of Volunteers in Mission & Disaster Response is Audrey Phelps
Audrey is passionate about assisting people in discerning their call to service and connecting them in missional partnerships that are healthy, mutually supportive, and committed. She previously served the Missouri Conference on staff in their office of Mission, Service, and Justice for 10 years, 8 of those as the Associate Director of Volunteers in Mission. Her focus has been to educate those called to ministry through mission service in the ways they can effectively answer that call.