“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.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Rev. Koreen Guillermo to serve as the Senior Pastor of the Carlsbad fellowship,The United Methodist Church of Carlsbad, in New Mexico, effective July 1, 2026. Rev. Guillermo is an Ordained Elder of the New Mexico Conference currently serving as the Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Deming, New Mexico.
Rev. Laird Cross, Ordained Elder in retired status, has been serving the Carlsbad fellowship this appointment year and will return to his well-deserved retirement plans. We are very grateful for his faithful, gracious, and fruitful service and ministry. We are also grateful for the nurturing of this United Methodist presence in Carlsbad by Rev. Stephanie Harmon, also an Ordained Elder in retired status.
This announcement is being made by Rev. Dr. Pamela Rowley, El Paso District Superintendent, who calls us to be in prayer for Rev. Guillermo, her husband Carl, the church of Carlsbad, and First United Methodist Church of Deming.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Rev. Kelli Knight to serve as the Senior Pastor of Central United Methodist Church effective July 1, 2026. Rev. Knight, an Ordained Elder, comes to Central from Catalina United Methodist Church in Tucson, Arizona, and is a member of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference.
This announcement is made by Albuquerque District Superintendent, Rev. Ross Whiteaker, who calls us to be in prayer for Kelli and the congregations of Catalina and Central United Methodist Churches.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Rev. D.G. Hollums to serve as the Senior Pastor of Rio Rancho United Methodist Church effective July 1, 2026. Rev. Hollums is an elder currently serving as the Pastor of Zia UMC-Santa Fe and Valley View UMC-Española.
This announcement is made by Albuquerque District Superintendent, Rev. Ross Whiteaker who calls us to be in prayer for D.G. and his wife, Tiffany and the congregations of Zia, Valley View and Rio Rancho United Methodist Churches.
With the blessing of Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut, El Paso District Superintendent, Rev Dr Pamela Rowley assigned Matt Idom as Lay Person Assigned to Capitan United Methodist Church in Capitan, New Mexico, less than full-time, effective January 18, 2026. Mr. Idom has served most recently at Waskom United Methodist Church in the Texas Conference.
This announcement is being made by Pamela Rowley, El Paso District Superintendent, who calls us to be in prayer for Mr. Idom and the congregation of Capitan UMC. Dr. Rowley also expresses gratitude for the service of Rev. Lorna Fike, who passed into her glory home in December of 2025, and that we continue prayers for Lorna’s loved ones.
Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut intends to appoint Michele Walton, a Provisional Deacon, to serve as Executive Director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, effective January 15, 2026.
The Wesley Foundation is the United Methodist campus ministry presence serving students connected to UNM (and the broader Albuquerque-area campus community).
This announcement is being made by Albuquerque District Superintendent, Rev. Ross Whiteaker, who invites us to be in prayer for Michele Walton, the Wesley Foundation community, and all partners in ministry as they enter this new season of leadership and mission.