Jørgen Thaarup is from Copenhagen, Denmark. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Seminary, Washington DC and a Ph.D. from Gothenburg University. His appointments in the United Methodist Church have been: dean of the Methodist Seminary in Gothenburg and professor of systematic theology,  district superintendent in the Denmark Annual Conference,  chair of Academic and Students Affairs at Africa University,  advisor theology and ecumenical dialogue at the Council of Protestant Churches in Europe, and author of a number of books and articles, including Wesley Theology in Europe: Christian Thought in European Wesleyan Tradition. He has served as a delegate to six General Conferences, is a member of the Standing Committee of Central Conference Matters for eight years, and a delegate to 11 Central Conferences in Europe. He holds a pastoral appointment to the Jerusalem Church in Copenhagen.