Staff - ENCORE Ministry

John Rivas

John Rivas, joined ENCORE Ministry in 2023 as executive director. Previously, he served as senior donor legacy planning advisor at The Gideons International. Prior to this, Rivas was director of development for the Center for Youth Ministry Training (CYMT) in Texas. His leadership experience also includes executive director of New Mexico activities for the Texas Methodist Foundation, vice president of advancement for the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home, and director of family philanthropy and development at Discipleship Ministries/The United Methodist Foundation.

Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr.

Since 2015 the Rev. Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr. (Rick) has served as director of ENCORE Ministry. Gentzler directs the work of committee members providing consultation, training and support, resources, and networking opportunities for church leaders in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church for implementing and expanding intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults.

Cindy Solomon

Cindy Solomon is ENCORE Ministry operations director. In this role, Solomon creates, executes, and manages ENCORE Ministry business administration and communications. This includes managing the grants application process and creating the strategy for and executing communications, website, and public relations messages and collateral to articulate the ministry’s mission to serve the needs of older adults and local church older adult ministries in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church.