Meet our Lead Strategist

Dr. Dan Bonner, President and Lead Strategist of the CUCR, brings thirty years of pastoral experience in five inclusive urban congregations: The Travis Park United Methodist Church in San Antonio, TX; The First United Methodist Church in Brownville, TX; First United Methodist Church in Wichita, KS; St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City, MO; The Grand Avenue Temple United Methodist Churches in downtown Kansas City, MO.

All five churches experienced dramatic renewal and growth in membership, worship attendance, small groups, giving, and community engagement during his pastoral tenure.

More than four thousand five hundred persons, many of ethnic, economic, or lifestyle identities different than the majority of the host congregation, made first-time Christian commitments in these congregations during Dr. Bonner’s pastoral service.

In 2002 Bonner was named Adjunct Professor of Urban Evangelism at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas. In 2003, he became Easum, Bandy, and Associates’ preferred consultant for urban congregational turnaround coaching. In 2008, he joined the Texas Methodist Foundation's Institute for Clergy and Congregational Excellence, as Hispanic Leadership Facilitator.

He speaks, preaches, and teaches often in urban local churches, seminaries, and conferences across the country. His writings on inclusive church planning and lay training are used by many involved in urban congregational renewal.

Born and raised in Sulphur Springs, Texas, Dr. Bonner’s education includes Yale University (B.A., M.Div., S.T.M.), Boston University (D.Min.), in the fellowship of homeless persons in Kansas City, MO (reStart and LINC), and in the diverse homes, work places, and gathering spots of those who seek hope in the cities of Texas, Kansas and Missouri.

The parents of four adult children, Dan and his wife, Sue, and their cats, Oscar and Felix, live on the peaceful banks of Berry Creek in the Texas Hill Country.