OUR MISSION
The mission of the Southeastern Jurisdiction Association of Older Adults is to enrich the lives of older adults, affirming the gifts, graces, and wisdom born of experience that older adults bring to ministry within the local church and the world.    The mission will be implemented through affirming and encouraging participation in unique opportunities for fellowship, spiritual growth, and leadership training, Bible study and life-long learning at all levels of the church within the Southeastern Jurisdiction.

In 1984 the Southeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops called a Convocation on Older Adults in response to an awareness of the increasing number of older persons in the church and in society.  The Convocation was planned and implemented by the Association of Conference Leaders in Health and Welfare Ministries. Participants indicated the desire for an annual event by, with, and for older adults at Lake Junaluska, and the Conference on Older Adult Ministries became a reality.  In 1986 Conference participants voted to create the Southeastern Jurisdiction Association of Older Adults (SEJAOA ) Association was formally approved by the Southeastern Jurisdiction Administrative Council.  Dr. Cornelius R. Hager, president emeritus of Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, was the first president.



Some of the projects undertaken by the SEJAOA and its constituents over the years include:
  • A demographic study of the number of older adults in the jurisdiction by Dr. Barbara Payne-Stancil of North Georgia.
  • Production of an audiotape featuring Dr. Elizabeth Welch discussing tips on “Learning to be 85”
  • The development of a professional track for church workers with Older Adults, designed to provide continuing education units.
  • Establishment of the Norman T. Allers Academy of Older Adult Ministries under the leadership of Dean of the Academy Reverend Philip Brown of North Carolina.
  • A successful effort to encourage the participation of more ethnic minority Christians in SEJAOA activities, graciously supported by the Reverend Dr. Walter Kimbrough of North Georgia and Cascade  United Methodist Church.
  • The establishment of the C. R. and Ruth Hager Fund to insure excellence in leadership of SEJAOA events
  • The addition of Bishop William Morris (ret.) of Tennessee to the SEJAOA Executive Committee
  • A chair in Stuart Auditorium purchased by members of the Florida Conference, honoring Rubie Buttersworth of Tallahassee for her dedicated contribution to SEJAOA.
  • The creation of our SEJAOA’s Website.

Past presidents of SEJAOA were Dr. Cornelius R Hager, the late Reverend Norman T. Allers of Florida,  Reverend Philip Brown, Sandra Gerhardt of Alabama, and Reverend William E. Pearce of North Carolina,  Susan McGuire of North Carolina is our current president.  Lake Junaluska Assembly support staff for SEJAOA during the past 20 years includes Reverend Robert Pitzer, Paula Garber, Reverend Chris Hughes, Reverend Arlene Hewitt and Reverend Roger Dowdy. 

The SEJAOA is grateful to God for the fine leadership of past vice president for Development Reverend Hazel Bennett of South Carolina. Hazel has ably served as the jurisdiction’s representative to the General Church Committee on Older Adult Ministries for the past eight years, the last four years as chairperson of that committee.

Many, many of our Lord’s quiet people, both here and in the “mighty cloud of witnesses,” have worked diligently and joyfully to bring the SEJAOA to where we are today.  May God bless them all and may God bless our efforts as we humbly seek to hand off the faith ministry of SEJAOA to a new generation.




Our membership is inclusive of all mid and later life adults who reside in the boundaries of the Southeastern Jurisdiction.  During our annual “Wisdom and Grace Conference” the membership elects the Executive Committee and the Association’s design team, members from each conference choose 3 of their members to represent them to the design team.  We are basically a grassroots association with deep passion for doing the ministry of Christ by keeping ourselves equipped for service in and through the local church.
Southeastern Jurisdiction Association of Older Adults
"Resourcing mid and later life disciples for the abundant life."
WHO WE ARE
OUR HISTORY
OUR MINISTRIES
SEJAOA MEMBERSHIP