Executive Director

Chebon Kernell, has been an executive in the United Methodist church for the past decade. He has worked for the General Board of Global Ministries and the denomination’s Native American Comprehensive Plan.  In this role, he has worked with the World Council of Churches, the New International Financial and Economic Architecture (NIFEA), the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops assisting in a denominational mandated effort to improve relationships with Indigenous People through dialogue, study and local or regional acts of repentance acknowledging harms inflicted upon Indigenous communities. In addition, he spends his time raising awareness, increasing advocacy, and supporting the empowerment of Native American and Indigenous communities globally. 

Chebon is of Seminole and Muscogee Creek heritage. In 2016 he was honored by receiving the Religious Literacy Award sponsored by the Westar Institute "for his tireless efforts to educate the general public, including not only mainstream American Christians but also native peoples themselves, about the ‘deep and broad religious riches’ of Indigenous peoples in the context of reconciliation work and the recovery of native practices." In 2023, he received the Plume Award from Texas Christian University’s Racial Reconciliation Initiative office for his efforts to promote the acknowledgment of the historical and contemporary presence of Indigenous People on the TCU campus.  
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He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Oklahoma City University and a Master of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary. He is a cultural practitioner and member of the Helvpe Ceremonial grounds of the Mvskoke Nation. Chebon is a land defender and water protector and has spoken across the world in defense of Mother Earth. He has been married to Sara for 24 years and has five children Kaycee, Josiah, Raylen, Solomon, Cali and one grandchild Samuel. 

The Rev. Chebon Kernell