Bishop Appoints, Re-assigns DSs For The Unified Conference

Appointments include new geographic responsibilities, addition of Rev. Tom Long

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., episcopal leader of the Central and North Texas Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church, has appointed additional clergy to leadership roles in the unified conference and made updates within the conference cabinets.

Rev. Beverly Connelly, currently serving as Central and South District Superintendent in the Central Texas Conference, will begin a new appointment as senior pastor at First United Methodist Church, Killeen, effective July 1. Rev. Danny Tenney, currently the CTC’s North and West District Superintendent, will become District Superintendent for the Central and South Districts, also effective July 1.

“For three years, it has been my privilege to serve as the Central and South District Superintendent,” said Connelly. “But first and foremost, I am a pastor and have always had a heart for teaching and serving in the local church. I grew up with many First UMC and Killeen members, teaching alongside some of them in the Killeen Independent School District. Now, I look forward to serving as senior pastor in a church I love and in the city I call home."

“I have appreciated and drawn from Revs. Connelly and Tenney’s unique gifts and perspectives as I have worked with them over the last two years,” said Saenz. “When discerning the needs and potential of First United Methodist Church, Killeen, it became evident that Rev. Connelly has the experience and graces to lead the church to multiply Jesus followers, champion children and youth, maximize care and healing, pursue and embrace diversity, and tell our story of God’s transforming love.”

Rev. Tom Long, currently lead pastor of St. Luke’s UMC (Midland) in the Northwest Texas Conference, will join the CTC/NTC joint cabinet when he begins a new appointment as acting district superintendent for CTC’s North and West Districts, effective July 1. Long, an ordained elder in full connection has served throughout the Northwest Texas Conference, leading multiple churches, serving on conference committees, and most recently, chairing the Board of Ordained Ministry. Long completed Course of Study at Duke Divinity School and an Advanced Course of Study, and he has a passion and love for small membership and county-seat churches. Earlier this month, Bishop Jimmy Nunn, episcopal leader of the Northwest Texas Conference, announced Long’s appointment to also serve as Conference Superintendent, effective July 1.

“We are blessed to have a strong pool of leaders ready to embrace new roles, round out our cabinet, and build bridges between the Central, North, and Northwest Texas Conferences,” said Saenz. “I look forward to what Revs. Long and Tenney will bring to our cabinet conversations and discernment, as well as to witnessing First Killeen’s flourishing under Rev. Connelly’s leadership.”

More information about the unification process can be found here.

Published: Monday, March 18, 2024