Our Mission

CLU, ChFC, CFP
Simpson UMC, Old Bridge

Larry Springer has been in the Financial Services Industry for 49 years. He is a Certified Financial Planner and taught the CFP classes for Fairleigh Dickenson University. He also holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. Larry provides public workshops on Social Security, Medicare, and Retirement Planning for Middlesex County College as part of the adjunct staff. His passion is helping people make good decisions and smart choices about money. Both Larry and his daughter Tanya graduated from Monmouth College/University. His wife Diana and he have one child, Tanya with husband Jonathan and my grandson Victor. In his home church, Simpson United Methodist Church Old Bridge, he serves as Administrative Board Chair. Men’s Group Leader, and Lay Speaker.

Greater New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conferences

CFP, AIF, Past President

Medford United Methodist Church

Ginger, as she is known by many, is a Certified Financial Planner with over 38 years of experience. She is a graduate of Rutgers University with a dual major in Business Administration and Philosophy. She is a FINRA registered representative with Series 6,7, 63 and 65 licenses, a member of Money Quotient-a Financial Life Planning organization and Lincoln Investment’s Hall of fame. She is a board member of the local chapter of the Society of Financial Planners. She is a key leader at the Medford United Methodist Church. Ginger brings this wealth of experience, financial background and leadership skills as she served the Board as Chair of the Stewardship Foundation and now continues on as Past President & Board Member.

Franklin St. John UMC, Newark

Brenda Caldwell joined the Foundation in 2023. Bre’ has spent her entire life as an active member in the United Methodist church. She has served as a civil servant in various leadership positions in transportation and education, serving for both New Jersey and New York City well over 20 years. Bre’ holds a Master of Business Administration from New York University. She is also certified in Labor Public Relations from Rutgers University and Human Resources from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

She will be serving the work of the Stewardship Foundation of Greater New Jersey as the Administrative Secretary. Her mission is to encourage service, support and giving; that will yield sustainable ministry and a legacy paying it forward.

First United Methodist Church of Avalon

Dave Montanye currently serves as the Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Avalon, and as a Circuit Elder in the Cape Atlantic District. He earned a B.A. in Political Science from American University and an M.Div. and D. Min. from Drew University. He pastored churches in Garnerville, NY and Branchville, NJ. He also served as Program Coordinator of the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Executive Secretary for Gift Cultivation at the General Board of Global Ministries. Dave has sought to encourage in others faith in the possibilities that God offers us for an abundant life, and the chance to change the world for the better.

James Ryoo is an Elder of the Greater New Jersey Conference. He brings years of experience as a Circuit Elder and a member of DCOM of the Gateway North District. He had also served as a GNJ Board of Trustee member and Vice Chair, and the Centenary Fund and Preacher’s Aid Society. He currently serves as pastor of The UMC in Union located in Union, NJ. Born and raised in South Korea, he earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering and taught for six years at high schools and colleges. Having owned a business in the United States for 10 years, he chose a life of service to God and earned his MDiv from New York Theological Seminary. He is a loving husband to his wife Michelle, and father to his two adult children, Andrew and Lisa.

Marlin is retired after 40 years in the Technology Sector. He has two degrees from Rutgers-Newark University. One in Theatre and another in accounting. He is a veteran of the Air Force. He is also Mayor Emeritus of Hackensack, New Jersey. He has worked in both the public and private sectors. Retiring from the County of Bergen. He has served as the Trustees Treasurer for the United Methodist Church of Hackensack for many years. He is also a certified Lay Leader. He is married to Ojetta for over 40 years and has a son, Marlin G Townes III, Esq and a daughter, Dr. Chelsea M Townes-Francis.

Rev. Chris Heckert, He/Him, serves as the senior pastor of Haddonfield United Methodist Church in Haddonfield, NJ. A native of Western Pennsylvania, he is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Drew University Theological School, holds an MA in Corporate Communication from Duquesne University, and is currently completing his Doctorate of Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary and Wesley House, Cambridge. Heckert has served as pastor in rural, suburban, and urban settings, as well as having served as director of communications with the General Board of Global Ministries of the UMC. A musician, composer, photographer, and communicator, he has sought to engage the arts in ministry with the church in 5 continents through trainings, conferences, and publications.