Bishop Appoints DS to Northwest District, names additional hires
Rev. Cassie Wade to begin serving the Northwest District, in addition to the East, effective July 1
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., episcopal leader of the Central and North Texas Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church, has appointed Rev. Cassie Wade to serve as the Northwest District superintendent, beginning July 1. Wade has served as East District Superintendent since 2021 and will continue that appointment as well.
“I have a deep love and appreciation for the Northwest District churches, their communities and the spirit they bring to the larger conference,” said Wade. “My first appointments were at First Sherman, First Jacksboro and First Decatur, all in the Northwest District, and I am honored to be able to serve the district now as superintendent. I look forward to continuing to partner with our churches, clergy and lay leadership throughout the East and Northwest Districts as we multiply Jesus followers in each one of our local communities.”
Rev. Todd Harris, who has served as Northwest District Superintendent since 2019, has been away since April 2024 for personal reasons and has requested not to receive an appointment in July. Since April, Rev. Danny Tenney, North and West District Superintendent in the Central Texas Conference, has provided coverage while Bishop Saenz and the cabinet considered the best long-term plan. Rev. John McLarty, senior pastor at First UMC Wichita Falls and chair of the Northwest District Superintendency Committee, expressed his appreciation of Rev. Harris’ ministry and his support of Rev. Wade’s appointment.
“The Northwest District has been well served by Rev. Harris, especially in this challenging season of ministry,” said McLarty. “We pray for God's blessings to be with him and Stephanie."
“I know Rev. Wade understands the challenges and needs of the town and country church, as well as its opportunity for great impact,” McLarty continued. “I appreciate Bishop Saenz’s appointment of a district superintendent who knows our clergy and communities well, and I am confident we will benefit from Rev. Wade’s leadership and guidance in the Northwest District.”
“Rev. Wade brings unique gifts to specifically serve and grow our local churches in rural settings,” said Saenz. “I see her heart for these communities in the way she cares for the churches in the East District, but also in the connections she makes and initiatives like the new Town and Country fellowship she’s helping establish to strengthen rural churches beyond her district’s borders. I am grateful for her continued service to the East District and her willingness to expand her role in this way.”
Additional Staffing Announcements
In addition to this cabinet-level announcement, the following North Texas Conference staff have also been named to serve in the new Horizon Texas Conference and will be recognized at next week’s Annual Conference meeting:
- Rev. Jeremy Basset will begin as disaster response coordinator on the Care and Healing Team, effective July 1.
- Tom Christian, currently associate director of connectional resources, will begin as property manager on the Operations Team, effective January 1, 2025.
- Rev. Liz Greenwell, currently crisis team coordinator, will begin as crisis response and care team ministry coordinator on the Care and Healing Team, effective July 1.
- Sheila Hayes, currently benefits coordinator, will begin as accounts payable/accounts receivable on the Stewardship Team, effective June 15.
- Jessica Vargas, currently ministry coordinator in the Center for Church Development, will begin as multiplication and ethnic ministries coordinator on the Multiplication Team, effective July 1.
Active job postings for the Horizon Texas Conference are available on the Central, North and Northwest Texas Conference websites, and more information about the unification process can be found here.
Published: Thursday, May 30, 2024