History-Making Appointment
The Rev. Sumesh Jacob (M. Th. ’20) recently became the first elder of Asian Indian descent or origin to serve in a full-time appointment in the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Rev. Jacob is an ordained elder in the Church of South India, India’s second-largest denomination and the result of a union of many of the Protestant churches in South India, including the British Methodist Church. After graduating summa cum laude from Perkins in May, Jacob was appointed by Bishop Michael McKee to serve First United Methodist Coppell. The Jacob family has moved just a few miles south of the church – where the local elementary school is 86 percent Asian, with the majority of these students being Indian or from families of South Asian countries. Census numbers reveal that the Asian Indian population doubled in North Texas between 2000 to 2010, and 2020 census numbers are expected to show continued growth. Read the story by clicking here.
Mara LeHew Bailey Honored
The Rev. Mara LeHew Bailey (M. Div. ’10), Chaplain at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, was selected by fellow staff members at the college as the recipient of this year’s Staff Impact award. Bailey is an ordained elder in the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her husband is also an ordained elder, serving as the lead pastor at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Urbandale, Iowa. “Hearing the words of those who nominated me brought me to tears and reminded me that the most important thing in this work is, in the words of Bishop Julius C. Trimble, ‘Love the people, love the people, love the people,’” Bailey said. “I’m so honored to do this work.”
An Alumnus We Will Miss: Rev. Gene Wisdom
The Rev. Gene Wisdom (M. Th. ’75), a retired pastor in the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church, passed away on August 20 after a long battle with cancer. Notes and cards may be sent to Debbie Wisdom, 4710 Dexter Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76107.