New District Superintendent Announced

Bishop Robert Schnase has announced the appointment of Rev. Jim Simpson to serve as District Superintendent of the Heartland District, which includes churches of the former Heartland Central and Heartland South Districts. “Jim has served congregations in the Heartland District with effectiveness and fruitfulness for many years,” Bishop Schnase says, “and he has earned the respect of colleagues for his integrity, thoughtfulness, commitment, and for his ministry of encouragement. He brings excellent administrative skills and knowledge of the conference to the role of superintendency, and I look forward to his work on the cabinet.” Rev. Simpson currently serves as pastor of Central United Methodist Church in Kansas City.

Rev. Kendall Waller, who has served as District Superintendent of the Heartland District for the past two years has accepted the appointment to serve as senior pastor of Missouri United Methodist Church in Columbia, beginning in July, following the announcement of Rev. Amy Gearhart’s request for Sabbatical Leave to pursue graduate studies at the University of Missouri.

“Kendall has done excellent work uniting the two Heartland districts, supporting pastors and consulting with churches,” Bishop Schnase said, “and we will miss his creativity and strategic thinking on the cabinet. However, his passion and love for leading congregations, his excellent preaching, his track record of growth, and his positive leadership will serve him well as he returns to the role of senior pastor.”