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Presiding Elders

Presiding Elders are members of the cabinet who serve the local churches and clergy in a geographic area of the Conference. They are critical in the work of deploying clergy leadership and offering support, care, and counsel concerning ministry matters.

Eastern Texas

Area: Texas – Brazos

Presiding Elder: Rev. Polly Standing
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Connecting Elders: Rev. Jim Jackson, Rev. Jeremy Bass, Rev. Garry Masterson
Equipping Elder: Rev. Brad McKenzie

Area: Texas – Coastal Plains

Presiding Elder: Rev. Sharon Sabom
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Connecting Elders: Rev. Emigdio Rosales, Rev. Ben Lohmer, Rev. Randy Hagemann, Rev. Howard Huhn
Equipping Elder: Rev. Enid Henderson

Area: Texas – Lakes

Presiding Elder: Rev. Nick Sholars
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Presiding Elder: Rev. David Brasher
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Connecting Elders: Rev. Ed Wandling, Rev. Geoff Lightsey, Rev. Patrick Evans, Rev. David McGlocklin, Rev. Dr. Marc Donaldson
Equipping Elder: Rev. Brad McKenzie

Area: Texas – Red River

Presiding Elder: Rev. Nick Sholars
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Presiding Elder: Rev. David Brasher
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Connecting Elders: Rev. Kevin Otto, Rev. Tommy Earl Burton, Rev. Keith Tilley, Rev. Kara Mitchell
Equipping Elder: Rev. Clark Atkins

Area: Texas – Piney Woods

Presiding Elder: Rev. Jim Welch
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Connecting Elders: Rev. Barbara Jenson, Rev. John Cogdill, Rev. Doug Wintermute
Equipping Elder: Rev. Brad McKenzie

Area: Texas – Sabine

Presiding Elder: Rev. Tommy Williams
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Connecting Elders: Rev. Mark Bunch, Rev. Drew Weber, Rev. Rick Ivey
Equipping Elder: Rev. Enid Henderson

Area: Texas – Sam Houston

Presiding Elder: Rev. Jim Flagg
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Connecting Elders: Rev. John Stephenson, Rev. Leigh-Anne Williams, Rev. Joshua Ray, Rev. Daniel Lumpee
Equipping Elder: Rev. Enid Henderson

Louisiana

Area: Louisiana – Bayou (North)

Presiding Elder: Rev. Doug de Graffenried
Contact
Connecting Elders: Rev. Natalie Faust, Rev. Steve Berger
Equipping Elder: Rev. Brad McKenzie

Area: Louisiana – Pelican (South)

Presiding Elder: Rev. Jonathan Beck
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Connecting Elders: Rev. John Robert Black, Rev. Michael Cloud
Equipping Elder: Rev. Enid Henderson

Arkansas

Area: Arkansas – West

Presiding Elder: Rev. Kevin M. Trantham
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Connecting Elders: Rev. Kathryn Burchfield, Rev. Jim Benfer, Rev. Keenan Williams
Equipping Elder: Rev. Clark Atkins

Area: Arkansas – East

Presiding Elder: Rev. Jeff Warrick
Contact
Connecting Elders: Rev. Bob Hager, Rev. Billy Vanderbilt, Rev. Clefton Vaughn, Rev. Carlton Cross, Rev. David Bush
Equipping Elder: Rev. Clark Atkins

Cabinet Members At-Large

Rev. Enid Henderson

African American Ministry Initiatives
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Rev. Arturo Cadar

Hispanic Ministry Initiatives
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Connecting Elders

Connecting Elders are essential in cultivating unity, encouragement, and support throughout our ministry. Serving in partnership with Presiding Elders, they offer guidance to both appointed clergy and assigned lay ministers. Through intentional relationships and consistent ministry counsel, Connecting Elders foster spiritual vitality, strengthen leadership, and help ensure the ongoing growth and health of our faith community.
Download the Connecting Elder Roles and Responsibilities Document below.
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Leadership

Following after the leadership examples throughout scripture, our leaders aspire to foster unity, spiritual growth, and a community that reflects the heart of Jesus. This approach strengthens the local church and makes it a compelling witness to our Christ-centered values and our strong moral character throughout our cities and communities.
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