News and Views

The Baltimore-Washington Conference is growing. We’re delighted to introduce the newest members of our staff, each bringing unique experiences, passions, and gifts to their roles.

Ellie Forder Condon
Central Administrator - Ministerial Services

Ellie Forder Condon comes to us from a federal role at the National Institutes of Health, where she worked for five years before a transition led her to serve part-time as a church administrator in her local United Methodist congregation. When asked what drew her to this role, she said, “I’d been feeling a calling toward the United Methodist church for a few years, and when I heard about this opening, I applied with a prayer that if God wanted me here, He would give it to me, and I would accept.” 

Forder Condon is also a writer. She has published three short stories and is rewriting a young adult fantasy novel she began in high school.

Jasmine Jowers Prout
Central Administrator

Before joining us, Jasmine Jowers Prout was the Director of Operations and People for Vantage Network, supporting seven affiliated companies in HR and organizational development. A lifelong United Methodist, Jowers Prout says this role “deeply resonated with both my faith and my professional calling.” She’s committed to serving God and the community, helping transform lives through love, service, and stewardship. Outside of work, Jowers Prout is a creative soul and creates custom designs for invitations, party favors, and personalized gifts.

Favorite quote: “Service is the rent we pay for living on this earth.” – Shirley Chisholm

Levonne Wiseman
Central Administrator

Levonne Wiseman joins us after 12 years as an Executive Assistant in the President & CEO’s office of a hospital. She was drawn to this role because it allows her to use her skills in a place where she can boldly share her love of the Lord and help build the Kingdom of God. A favorite quote she carries with her is: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky

Fun fact: Wiseman once received complimentary cheesecake at Junior’s in New York because a server mistook her for Jordin Sparks, though Wiseman says she doesn’t see the resemblance. 

Sophia Colon
Central Administrator ‑ Discipleship Ministries

Sophia Colon joins us full-time as staff after working as a temp in the Discipleship Ministries department off and on for the past three years. Previous to the Baltimore-Washington Conference, Colon had a career as a Loan Officer specializing in Home Equity Mortgage Loans. Colon was drawn to the Conference because of its commitment to causes she deeply respects: diversity, equity, equality, inclusion, and community support. “I like my talents to be used for good,” she says with a smile. Her favorite quote is the Taoist saying: “Good or Bad… Who’s to say?”

Abby Butler-Cefalo
Congregational Vitality Coordinator

Abby Butler-Cefalo joins the Conference team with a rich and varied background in ministry. Most recently, she has served as a part-time Associate Pastor in Damascus, MD, and a caretaker for a boy with special needs. Previously, she was a United Methodist Campus Minister at James Madison University. Butler-Cefalo shares that, “What drew me to this role is my passion for innovative and creative ministry. As a part-time seminary student, I am often exposed to different cultures, theologies, and life experiences, and that has only affirmed my drive for thriving, diverse ministries.” She is guided by the words of Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Fun fact: Abby has visited all 50 states.

Rev. Bessie Hamilton
Vitality Specialist

Bessie Hamilton most recently served as Director of New Faith Communities and Multiethnic Initiatives for the Oklahoma Conference UMC, where she supported diverse leaders and helped plant new ministries. “When I learned about the restructuring within the Baltimore-Washington Conference, something in my spirit lit up,” Hamilton says. “This position aligned with my gifts and my heart for building healthy, Spirit-led communities.”

She’s inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Hamilton is also a “joyful vegan” who loves recreating plant-based versions of friends’ favorite dishes.

Pastor TJ Mount
Vitality Specialist

Before joining our team, TJ Mount served as a local-licensed pastor at Lisbon United Methodist Church and is the Founder and CEO of TJ Mount, LLC, a coaching and consulting practice in Germantown, Maryland. “I am passionate about discipleship and partnering with churches to help them experience the love of Christ in an intentional and transformative way,” Mount says.

His favorite quote? “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Outside of work, Mount enjoys playing board games and traveling. He even lived in Germany for three years. 

Returning Staff

Rev. Ianther Mills
Tidal Basin District Superintendent

Rev. Ianther Mills rejoins the Appointive Cabinet as the Tidal Basin District Superintendent. Mills was previously Superintendent of the Washington East District from 2005 to 2013. Mills returns to the BWC after serving as pastor of Asbury UMC in Washington, D.C.

Rev. Joseph Archie
Vitality Specialist

Rev. Joseph Archie rejoins the Peninsula-Delaware staff as a Vitality Specialist. He will work alongside the BWC Congregational Vitality Team, so the entire Area has a unified approach to meet the needs of local congregations. Archie previously served as the Superintendent of the Delaware District in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference from 2016 to 2024. Since then, he has been serving as the pastor of Whatcoat UMC in Dover, Delaware.

Pastor Natiya Bennett
Area Young People's Ministry Coordinator

Natiya Bennett joins Conference staff as the Area Young People's Ministry Coordinator. Bennett had been serving as Associate Pastor at Towson United Methodist Church and the BWC Campus Minister of Towson University. Bennett brings a level of passion, excitement, energy and experience for young people, relationships, collaboration, and connections that is needed across our Area for such a time as this. Natiya is currently a second-year Master of Divinity student at Wesley Theological Seminary with a dual specialization in Children/Youth Advocacy and Community Engagement.

Each of these gifted individuals is already making an impact, and we are so blessed to have them on the BWC staff.

Many other Conference staff have taken on new roles within the Conference, as well. Join us in praying for their work as they help us continue to develop disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.