Bishop Announces Appointment of Terrell to Conference Cabinet

Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson has announced the appointment of one new District Superintendent to the Conference Cabinet effective June 2019. 

Rev. Dr. Jessica Terrell, currently pastor of Eatonton First UMC in the Augusta District, will be appointed to serve as superintendent of the Rome-Carrollton District. She succeeds Rev. Dr. David Naglee who will retire in June. 

"Jessica is down-to-earth and relational. She has a keen strategic mind and has led churches well, sometimes under very difficult circumstances," said Bishop Sue. "Jessica understands and appreciates small rural churches, which will serve her well in the Rome-Carrollton District. We look forward to welcoming her to our team!"

A native of LaGrange, Terrell grew up on her family's farm. She holds degrees from LaGrange College, Duke Divinity School, and received her doctorate from Emory University.

Before serving at Eatonton First, Dr. Terrell held appointments at Bethesda UMC in Lawrenceville, Glenn Memorial UMC in Atlanta, and Covington First UMC. 

"One of the beautiful things about our appointive system is that when we, as pastors, live into our vows to go where sent, we find ourselves in some of the most unexpected, yet amazing places," said Dr. Terrell. "I have loved and learned much in every church I served so far. I am especially grateful for the overwhelming support and encouragement of Eatonton First. They are an incredible faith community. And I am humbled and excited to work with and learn alongside the cabinet, Bishop Sue, and the pastors and churches of the Rome-Carrollton District."

One of the amazing places ministry has taken Terrell was a pulpit exchange in 2011 with the East Belfast Methodist Mission in Northern Ireland. During this exchange, she focused on ministries of reconciliation, conflict transformation, and the local church as a leading agent in community transformation.

Beyond her ministry in the local church, Terrell has served the North Georgia Conference on the Imagine No Malaria Campaign Steering Team, as chair of the Atlanta-Emory District Committee of Ordained Ministry, and as a member of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and the Augusta District Committee on Ordained Ministry. She is also a member of the North Georgia Conference Board of Trustees and the 2019 Annual Conference Planning Committee.