Bishop Jung Announces Cabinet Appointments
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Bishop Hee-Soo Jung intends to appoint the Rev. Wes Souders and the Rev. Don Wilson to the West Ohio Conference Cabinet effective July 1. Souders will serve the Scioto River District while Wilson will serve the Western Lakes District.  Additionally, the Rev. Dr. Jim Wilson will be appointed to the Olentangy River District upon the retirement of the Rev. Calvin Alston.

“I have invited these pastors to serve on the Cabinet because their lives and ministries are grounded in spiritual leadership. Their integrity and adaptability will be great blessings to their districts and the Cabinet,” said Bishop Jung. According to the bishop, the two new superintendents were selected through a communal discernment process.

Rev. Wes Souders

Wes didn’t grow up in The United Methodist Church, but after dedicating his life to Christ in 1992 at Central UMC in Springfield, he found his home there. He first felt called to ministry in 1997. Souders believes his primary calling is to help people fall in love with God and respond to that love through mission. Passionate about lay leadership, Wes strives to empower and equip laity to engage in meaningful ministry within their communities and beyond.

“I am humbled and nervously excited that Bishop Jung has chosen me to serve the church as a district superintendent,” Souders said. “As followers of Jesus, I believe our best days are ahead of us.”

He was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, and graduated from South High School in 1985. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts/Public Relations from Ohio Northern University in 1989.

Souders spent several years working in teaching and sales before launching marketing divisions for two different companies in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2003, he transitioned from the business world to ministry, beginning his Master of Divinity studies at United Theological Seminary in Dayton. He graduated in 2006 and was commissioned that same year. In 2009, he was ordained as an Elder.

His pastoral journey includes serving as Associate Pastor at St. Mark’s in Fairfield, Lead Pastor at Jacksonburg, and Pastor at Chillicothe-Trinity. He has been actively involved in the District and Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry, serving in leadership roles, including Chair and Co-Chair of District Committees. Additionally, he is a member of the Conference Commission on Equitable Compensation.

Married to Jenny, a retired high school guidance counselor, they are the parents of an adult son, Benjamin.

Rev. Don Wilson

Rev. Wilson is originally from South Carolina, where he grew up on a family farm in Lake City. Raised in a Christian household by his parents alongside his three brothers and four sisters, he learned the values of hard work, honesty, and dedication at an early age.

As a teenager, Don became a professing believer and discerned his call to ministry during undergraduate school. With years of service experience, he became an ordained Elder in The United Methodist Church. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Francis Marion University, specializing in Psychology and History, and earned his Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary.

Rev. Wilson's ministry has taken him around the world. As a Mission Intern with the General Board of Global Ministries, he served in Zambia and Zimbabwe, gaining valuable international experience. He also worked as a church and community worker in Little Rock, Arkansas, serving at Theressa Hoover Memorial United Methodist Church and with the Better Community Developers program. His pastoral journey has included congregations in Fort Smith and Little Rock, AR; Dayton, Columbus, and Cincinnati, OH. He currently serves as pastor of Covenant United Methodist Church in Springfield.

Rev. Wilson aims to create inclusive faith communities that welcome individuals regardless of race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, mental capacity, or physical ability.

“It is a great honor for me to receive the invitation from Bishop Jung to serve God and the church in this capacity. I look forward to the joys and challenges that await and welcome your prayers,” said Rev. Wilson.

He is the father of an adult son, Caleb, and grandfather to Charles Jethro Wilson. Caleb and his wife, Christina Joy, are expecting another son in March.

Rev. Dr. Jim Wilson

Rev. Dr. Jim Wilson, who has served on the West Ohio Conference Cabinet since July of 2022, will shift his focus from the Western Lakes District to the Olentangy River District in July.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to walk alongside the wonderful people of Western Lakes District. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in Olentangy River District and look forward to embracing the district's rich diversity. Nancy and I are eager to build meaningful relationships throughout the area," Wilson said.

Cabinet Appointments

After much consideration, Bishop Jung added one district superintendent so each of the six districts would be led by one superintendent. Last Fall, Bishop Jung invited the Directors of Connectional Ministry and Fresh Starts and New Beginnings to serve on the Appointive Cabinet.

As of July 1, the West Ohio Conference Appointive Cabinet will include the following persons:  

Rev. Amy Haines Superintendent, Maumee River District
Rev. Dr. Suzanne Allen Superintendent, Great Miami River District
Rev. Mark Chow Superintendent, Hocking River District
Rev. Dr. Jim Wilson Superintendent, Olentangy River District
Rev. Wes Souders Superintendent, Scioto River District
Rev. Don Wilson Superintendent, Western Lakes District
Rev. Linda Middelberg Assistant to Bishop Jung
Rev. Karen Cook Director of Connectional Ministries
Mr. Brad Aycock Director of Fresh Starts and New Beginnings    

“The West Ohio Conference is blessed to have such visionary leadership," said Bishop Jung. "Together with the Extended Cabinet, staff and other conference leadership, they are collaborating with the leadership of the East Ohio Conference to equip the local churches of the Ohio Episcopal Area."