NC Florida News

Bishop Tom Berlin announced today the appointment of three district superintendents and the creation of a new position, Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Mission, effective July 1, 2023.
 
“The Florida Conference values leaders who focus on the local church and its related extension ministries, love The United Methodist Church and understand that our diversity is our strength,” Bishop Berlin said. “These new District Superintendents bring both past experience and a fresh look at the work before us. I am grateful for their willingness to serve.” 

North West District

Rev. Clarke Campbell-Evans will follow Rev. Dr. Wayne Wiatt as superintendent of the North West District. Wiatt will retire this summer. Campbell-Evans currently serves as the Director of Missional Engagement for The Florida Conference, overseeing global missions, disaster recovery, equitable compensation, and the Young Adult Missional Movement. He previously served as co-interim superintendent of the Gulf Central District in 2021, along with Sharon Austin. Prior to his role at the Conference, Campbell-Evans was superintendent of the former Miami District from 1998 – 2004 and pastor of St. Paul’s (Tallahassee) and Fulford (North Miami Beach). 

East Central District

Rev. Dr. Sharon G. Austin will assume the role of superintendent of the East Central District following the retirement of Rev. Dr. Bob Bushong. Austin currently serves as the Director of Connectional and Justice Ministries for The Florida Conference. She oversees age-related ministries, discipleship ministries, diversity & justice ministries, laity ministries, camp and retreat ministries, and Conference communications. As Austin assumes her new role, she will retain the diversity and justice portfolio, including the Anti-racism Task Force.  She serves as an ex officio member of the Conference boards of Trustees, Finance and Administration, and the Florida United Methodist Foundation. She served as co-interim superintendent of the Gulf Central District in 2021 along with Clarke Campbell-Evans. Prior to her role at the Conference, Austin was superintendent of the former South Central District from 2008-2013 and pastor at Cason (Delray Beach), First (Riverview), and Faith (Miami). 

South East District

Rev. Dr. Simon Osunlana will serve as superintendent of the South East District as Rev. Dr. Cynthia Weems completes her eighth year on the Appointive Cabinet. Osunlana is currently the senior pastor of St. Paul in Jacksonville. 

Born and raised in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, Osunlana earned a diploma in Theology from Immanuel College of Theology and Christian Education, Ibadan; bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Ibadan; a Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC; and a doctorate degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. 

Osunlana was ordained an elder in the Nigeria Conference in 1993 and later transferred his ordination to The Florida Conference. He has served numerous pastoral appointments in Nigeria and was pastor of St. John UMC in Fort Lauderdale for 15 years before serving St. Paul. 

Simon is on the executive committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry where he has served for 11 years. He is also a member of the commission on equitable compensation. Simon is married to Temitope and they are blessed with three children.

Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Mission

After serving as a District Superintendent for eight years, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Weems will move to a newly-formed and temporary role to advance the work of The Florida Conference. She will assist District Superintendents and those churches desiring to disaffiliate utilizing paragraph 2553. In this role, she will make sure that accurate information is provided to churches who are considering disaffiliation about the UMC, the support The Florida Conference provides to its churches, and the benefits of our connection. She will also support the work of the annual conference and the districts in advancing the vitality of committed United Methodist churches as they move into the future.

The work of the Director of Missional Engagement and the Director of Connectional and Justice ministries will be assessed in the coming weeks to determine leadership for these important areas that are essential to the mission and values of The Florida Conference while at the same time responding to the changing nature of the annual conference budget. 

“This is a turbulent time, and I am grateful for leaders whose focus is on our future and our mutual desire to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The work of local churches is to renew hope, heal relationships and engage in the sanctification of our lives, communities and world that can only happen through the grace of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the resilient leadership these persons bring to The Florida Conference.” – Bishop Tom Berlin

Original source can be found here.