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The Mission Society today announced a broad new push to create greater diversity in its staff and outreach programs, saying that it has hired noted author, speaker and minister, the Rev. Romal Tune, to become a full-time senior advisor to the Rev. Max Wilkins, president of the organization. Tune will focus on approaches to create and accelerate diversity initiatives throughout the organization.

“The Mission Society and its board have been aware of the sparsity of ethnic minority participation in the global mission force for some time,” said Wilkins. “We believe that bringing Romal on board will allow us to broaden our organization to reflect the overall diversity of the kingdom of God.”

The Mission Society recruits, trains and sends Christian missionaries to minister around the world, with 235 missionaries serving in 38 countries. It also provides seminars, workshops and mentoring for churches in the United States and abroad, helping equip congregations for outreach in their communities and worldwide.

Tune is well-known as a speaker, author and strategic consultant with extensive experience in driving nonprofit initiatives, propelling advocacy programs that work and delivering communications that break through boundaries. He graduated with honors from Howard University and Duke University’s School of Divinity.

Tune is the author of God’s Graffiti: Inspiring Stories for Teens, which received an NAACP Image Award nomination for outstanding literary work. He is a frequent blogger on matters of faith for the Huffington Post.

Tune, who will start on May 9, believes that increased inclusion will strengthen The Mission Society, making it more adaptable – and hence more effective – in its outreach efforts.

“My role is to work closely with Max on cultural diversity within the institution, as well as building strategic partnerships in communities of color,” he said.

Tune said creating new space within the organization for greater diversity will begin with careful study.

“I’ll have to spend time learning the history of the institution, work culture and background of the staff,” he said, adding that he will be an additional voice in decision-making that will help to create a more diverse culture. “It’s important to be a voice that informs existing practices while also highlighting blind spots that would continue to go unnoticed if people of color are not in the room.”

Wilkins said The Mission Society is excited to bring an advisor with Tune’s extensive experience on board.

“We have been looking to identify just the right person to help lead us in this initiative,” he said. “With God’s guidance, we believe his insight and his energy will help position The Mission Society for greater growth and effectiveness.”