Bishop Appoints Porter...

as Franklin Superintendent!
from InterLink - January 30, 2009
By Jackie Campbell, Staff Writer

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton has appointed the Rev. George Porter Jr., pastor of Trinity UMC in Indiana, as the new superintendent of the Franklin District, effective July 1. Porter will succeed the Rev. James Tubbs, who will return to local church ministry after serving the district for eight years, the maximum allowed.

“George has always been a faithful servant of the church,” the Bishop added. “He has served the local church with a strong spirit of pastoral care and grace. He has served the Conference with integrity and focus. He has lived out his calling with a sound theology and a wonderful spirit of love and grace.

“Besides his pastoral experience in churches of all sizes and his faithful service in Conference leadership roles, George’s varied background in the four areas of focus of United Methodist ministry make him ideally suited for his new leadership role at this time,” the Bishop added. “He has headed agencies that minister to the poor in Johnstown and Erie; worked in camping and campus ministry, served in leadership of the Board of Ordained Ministry ,and been part of mission teams to Africa, the Gulf Coast and other areas. He served in a leadership role at the start of our strategic planning process, so that, coupled with his long-time service on the Conference personnel committee ,gives him a good understanding of the goals and action steps underway as we seek to provide leadership, training and resources to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world.“I am very pleased to have George and Kathleen join our cabinet family and look forward to this opportunity of working together in ministry.”

You may view the complete article on Pastor Porter at www.wpaumc.org.