It is with great celebration we announce Rev. LaTonya P. Calderon as Part-time Associate Director of Clergy and Leadership Excellence (ACLE) for the Iowa Conference.
Beginning July 1, 2021, LaTonya will be serving ¾ time at Windsor Heights UMC and ¼ time in this conference role. As Associate Director, LaTonya will be a strategic partner alongside Rev. Dr. Lanette Plambeck, who, on July 1, will become the Assistant to the Bishop while also maintaining her role and responsibilities as Director of Clergy and Leadership Excellence.
Plambeck states, “LaTonya’s appointment as Associate Director will expand our efforts around missional accountability and leadership development as she collaborates with and resources three primary ministries in our conference: The Ministry of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging; the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry; and Circuit Ministry Coaching and Leadership Development. Additionally, LaTonya’s heart for Christ, her ability to work adaptively within rapidly changing systems, and her spiritual grounding and prayerful presence will be valued on the teams with whom she will relate.”
LaTonya has served the Iowa United Methodist Conference for 19 years in 4 different appointments. She explains her call to ministry is to help people fall in love with God and live life with Jesus Joy. Currently, as a servant leader, she has focused on developing leaders. Leaders who are open to God’s Spirit continually revealing God’s self. Leaders who desire to be about the work of the Kin-dom of God. And leaders who are trained and prepared to do the same by developing other leaders.
LaTonya has served on the Board of Ordained Ministry, Personnel Availability Review Committee, School for Ministry, and District Operational Team. She was elected as a 2019 General Conference delegate and is also a member of the Ezekiel Team as the conference seeks a way forward.
“I am excited for this opportunity to bring my voice and experience to the work of Associate Director of Clergy and Leadership Excellence for the conference. I look forward to working with Lanette Plambeck and the ways in which I can meet God in God’s work to celebrate and encourage the Kin-dom of God before us.”
LaTonya is married to David Calderon and lives in Urbandale. She has two daughters, LaQueysha and Jasmine, a son David Michael, and a grandson, Riley.
