Bishop appoints Henderson, Gaston and Casad, effective in July
By SHERON C. PATTERSON
Editor
Dr. Ron Henderson
North Central District
“As a superintendent before, I loved being an advocate for pastors, churches and those entering the process of ordained ministry. I embrace this opportunity to serve the church and conference to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
The Rev. Cammy Gaston
Metro District
“I can see so many possibilities for our future. As I look at the names and faces that make up the Metro District, I see faithful people. I pray that I will lead faithfully as well.”
The Rev. Vic Casad
East District
“I was born in Paris, toddled in Roxton and grew up in Greenville. In some sense, it is a return to my roots and to the great heritage the East District bestows upon not only the North Texas Conference, but upon all of Texas Methodism.”
Bishop Michael McKee,
episcopal leader of the North
Texas Annual Conference,
has announced changes to his
Appointive Cabinet. Effective
July 1, Dr. Ron Henderson will become North Central District superintendent, the Rev. Cammy Gaston will become Metro District superintendent, and the Rev. Vic Casad will become East District superintendent.
“As I made these
appointments, two things were vital,” Bishop McKee
said. “First of all, I thought it
was important to have people
who knew the North Texas
Conference well. By that, I
mean knowing the laity, the
clergy, the churches and the
mission field. As we look at
the three people I appointed, they each have a long record
of service in the annual
conference. They share that
particular gift of knowing the
conference, and that’s helpful.
“Secondly, each one of
them represents something
different and unique,” he said.
Henderson, currently senior pastor of Custer Road UMC in Plano, “has served as a district superintendent
before,” the bishop said.
“He is a leader. He has been a
delegate to General Conference. He
knows the North Texas Conference,
he knows the general church, and he
knows the structure,” Bishop McKee
said. “Ron has been a pastor of large
churches and small churches. He is
somebody who knows this work, so
he brings experience that the team
needs.”
Bishop McKee knows Rev. Gaston, director of the Denton Wesley Foundation on the University of North Texas campus, through the Perkins interm program, in which they supervised interns.
She “has been mentoring students
through the process for candidacy
or ordination. She has worked in
our residency program with people
who are seeking ordination. She has
great skills in networking with young people and mentoring them,” Bishop
McKee said.
“I became aware of how effectively
she was able to supervise and mentor
persons coming through the process.
As we look for younger persons for
ministry or for people to be involved
in the church, Cammy has great
experience,” he said.
Casad, senior pastor at Stonebridge UMC in McKinney, “has been pastoring churches in this conference for a
number of years. He is a preacher’s kid.
He knows the DNA of many of these
churches,” Bishop McKee said.
“Vic has unique perspectives. He
has a very good analytical mind. He
will be able to help us analyze the
mission field and how the churches are
responding,” the bishop said.
“He will help us look for
new strategies and opportunities,
particularly in the East District, and other areas as well. He will help us
engage in the process of sustaining
and creating healthy, vibrant
congregations,” he said.