“Clergy shall be appointed by the bishop, who is empowered to make and fix all appointments in the episcopal area of which the annual conference is a part. Appointments are to be made with consideration of the gifts and evidence of God’s grace of those appointed, to the needs, characteristics, and opportunities of congregations and institutions, and with faithfulness to the commitment to an open itineracy.” The 2016 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. ¶425
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut; ABQ DS, Ross Whitheaker; El Paso DS, Pam Rowley serve as the New Mexico Conference Appointive Cabinet. They have earnestly prayed over and discerned the following appointment changes.
With affirmation of Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut, El Paso District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Pamela Rowley, intends to assign Don Benton as Lay Person Assigned to First United Methodist Church in Silver City, New Mexico, effective July 1, 2025. Mr. Benton has served churches in the Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church.
This announcement is being made by El Paso District Superintendent, Pam Rowley, who asks us to be in prayer for Mr. Benton, his wife Jana, Dr. Joshua Chang, the current pastor and the congregation of First United Methodist Church of Silver City during this time of transition.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Rev. Dr. Ed Williamson to serve as the Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Fort Davis, Texas, effective July 1, 2025. Rev. Williamson is currently in retired status as an Ordained Elder in the New Mexico Conference. He has served many churches in the New Mexico and Northwest Texas Conferences over 40 years of ministry and served part-time most recently at First UMC of Fort Stockton, TX.
This announcement is being made by Rev. Dr. Pamela Rowley, El Paso District Superintendent, who calls us to be in prayer for Dr. Williamson, his wife Mary Elaine, and the congregation of First UMC of Fort Davis. Dr. Rowley also expresses gratitude for the service of Rev. James McClain, retired elder of the Rio Texas Conference these past months.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Pastor Jacqui Lax to serve as the Associate Pastor at Western Hills United Methodist Church in El Paso, Texas, effective July 1, 2025. Pastor Lax is a Licensed Local Pastor currently serving at Bond Memorial United Methodist Church in Clint, Texas.
This announcement is being made by El Paso District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Pam Rowley, who asks us to be in prayer for Pastor Lax, her family, and the congregations of Western Hills and Bond Memorial United Methodist Churches.
With the blessing of Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut, the Rev. Ross Whiteaker intends to assign Mr. Ryan Remington as Lay Person Assigned to FUMC-Gallup and FUMC-Grants, effective July 1, 2025 per ¶205.4 of the 2020 Book of Discipline.
Rev. Whiteaker calls us to be in prayer for Ryan and his wife and the churches of FUMC-Gallup and FUMC-Grants.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Pastor Salvador Perales to serve as the Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Churches in Alpine and Marfa, Texas, effective July 1, 2025. Pastor Perales is currently the Associate Pastor at Western Hills United Methodist Church in El Paso, TX.
This announcement is being made by Rev. Dr. Pamela Rowley, El Paso District Superintendent, who calls us to be in prayer for Pastor Sal and his wife, Yadira Perales, and the churches of Alpine, Marfa, and Western Hills UMC.
With affirmation of Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut, El Paso District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Pamela Rowley, intends to assign Jackson Mills as Lay Person Assigned to Christ Community United Methodist Church in El Paso, Texas, effective July 1, 2025. Mr. Mills is currently Lay Person Assigned to Tobin Park United Methodist Church in El Paso and will continue in that capacity.
This announcement is being made by El Paso District Superintendent, Pam Rowley, who asks us to be in prayer for Jackson Mills, his fiancé Victoria, and the churches Christ Community and Tobin Park.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Rev. D.G. Hollums to serve as the Senior Pastor of Valley View United Methodist Church in Española, NM effective July 1, 2025. Rev. Hollums is an elder currently serving a two-point charge at Zia United Methodist Church in Santa Fe, NM and First United Methodist Church in Las Vegas, NM. Rev. Hollums will continue serving Zia United Methodist as he begins serving Valley View.
This announcement is made by Albuquerque District Superintendent, Rev. Ross Whiteaker who calls us to be in prayer for D.G., his wife Rev. Tiffany Hollums, their daughter, and the congregations of Valley View, Zia, and Las Vegas United Methodist Churches.
With affirmation of Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut, El Paso District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Pamela Rowley, intends to assign Efrain Belmontes as Lay Person Assigned to El Calvario United Methodist Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico, effective July 1, 2025. Mr. Belmontes is currently on staff at El Calvario Community and Immigrant Advocacy Center as the Religious Counselor.
Rev. George Miller is currently serving as the Senior Pastor at El Calvario UMC. He will enter into retired status beginning June 30, 2025. Rev. Miller will continue as the Executive Director for the El Calvario Community and Immigrant Advocacy Center which includes the Commercial Kitchen Incubator “Gastro Emprende,” all part of the Resiliency and Well Being Program, providing life-nurturing hospitality to the community of Las Cruces.
This announcement is being made by Rev. Dr. Pamela Rowley, District Superintendent of the El Paso District, who calls us to be in prayer for Efrain Belmontes and his family, Rev. George Miller and wife, Rev. Heike Miller, and El Calvario United Methodist Church and El Calvario Community and Immigrant Advocacy Center.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Rev. Lisa Blaylock to serve as the Senior Pastor of Paradise Hills United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, NM effective July 1, 2025. Rev. Blaylock is an elder currently serving as the Pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, NM.
This announcement is made by Albuquerque District Superintendent, Rev. Ross Whiteaker who calls us to be in prayer for Lisa and her husband, Jeff and the congregations of Covenant and Paradise Hills United Methodist Churches.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Rev. Stephen White to serve as the Senior Pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in El Paso, TX, effective July 1, 2025. Rev. White is an Associate Member of the New Mexico Conference currently serving as the Pastor of Alpine and Marfa United Methodist Churches.
Appointment for week of February 10: The appointment of Rev. Layloni Drake at St. Paul’s UMC in El Paso, TX is concluding, effective February 16, 2025. District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Pam Rowley, as pastor of record, assigns the following to St. Paul’s UMC, March 1 through June 30, 2025: Rev. Gorton Smith, retired elder in full connection in New Mexico Conference, and Certified Lay Ministers, Kathy Jewell and Bill Wood. We express our gratitude for Rev. Drake’s service and ministry.
These announcements are being made by Rev. Dr. Pamela Rowley, El Paso District Superintendent, who calls us to be in prayer for Rev. Stephen White and his wife Teresa, Rev. Layloni Drake, as well as the churches of Alpine and Marfa, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of El Paso, Rev. Smith, and CLM’s Jewell and Wood in this time of transition.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Pastor Jared Secret to serve as Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Belen, NM effective July 1, 2025. Pastor Secret is a Licensed Local Pastor currently serving as the Pastor of Paradise Hills UMC in Albuquerque.
This announcement is made by Rev. Ross Whiteaker, ABQ DS who calls us to be in prayer for Jared and his family, Paradise Hills UMC and FUMC-Belen.
Rev. Greg Kennedy is currently serving as Senior Pastor of St. Paul’s UMC-Las Cruces. He will enter into retired status beginning June 30, 2025.
This announcement is being made by the Rev. Dr. Pam Rowley, District Superintendent of the El Paso District, who calls us to be in prayer for Rev. Dr. Joe MacDonald and Rev. Cazandra MacDonald, Rev. Greg Kennedy and his beloved Cindy, First UMC-Belen, and St. Paul’s UMC-Las Cruces.
