District Leadership

TEAM LEADERS

District Superintendent - Rev. Don Wilson dwilson@wocumc.org

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 most recently served 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, had another son in March.

District Committee on Ministry (DCOM)Ken Woode

The DCOM team walks alongside persons as they seek to discover, clarify and live out their call from God to ministry.  This may include a call to ministry as a Licensed Local Pastor or ordained ministry as Deacons or Elders. 

Building and Location CommitteeBruce Dickerson

This committee provides expertise to help local church leadership evaluate land purchases and construction/remodeling projects whose costs are ten percent or more of the church's yearly budget.
 

Grant Review TeamAbby Lightle

The Grant Review Team has the privilege of deploying God's financial resources, given through apportionments, to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The Team carefully evaluates requests from WLD churches, and makes recommendations to the District Leadership Board who finalizes the grants.

District Leadership BoardDavid Leckrone

The Western Lakes District Leadership Board is a group of lay and clergy volunteers that serve with the District Superintendent to provide administrative and strategic leadership to the Western Lakes District and provide resources to support the ministries of the local churches of the district.

District Lay Leader, Barbara Lee

Superintendency CommitteeMaggie Sykes

The Superintendency Committee functions to support the District Superintendent in the spiritual and administrative oversight of the district, with particular attention to responsibilities regarding district staff personnel.

Lay Servant Ministries Team, Nancy Byrd

The Lay Servant Ministries Team organizes and provides basic and advanced lay servant classes in the spring and fall of each year.  The team also reviews the Lay Servant Ministries reports prepared by Lay Servant for charge conference each year and interviews persons who want to be Lay Speakers.

Western Lakes District United Methodist Men - Andy Campbell

Western Lakes District United Women in Faith - Sharon Wildermuth