Rev. Terry Fleming | Rev. Cathy Mitchell | Rev. Steve Patterson
Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, has appointed three new district superintendents – Rev. Terry Fleming, Rev. Cathy Mitchell and Rev. Steve Patterson.
Florence District
Rev. Fleming
The Rev. Terry Fleming, pastor of New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Boiling Springs, will succeed the Rev. John Hipp as superintendent of the Florence District.
Rev. Hipp has served the Florence District as superintendent since 2012. He is retiring at the 2018 Annual Conference.
Rev. Fleming was born in Alexandria, Virginia, and grew up in Louisiana. He graduated from Liberty University in 1992 with a bachelor of science degree in management. He spent 18 years on staff at United Methodist churches in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and St. John’s UMC in Aiken, South Carolina, working with children, youth and programming ministries.
Being called to ordained ministry, Rev. Fleming was licensed in 2008 and ordained in 2014 following his 2012 graduation from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary with a master of divinity degree. Before his appointment to New Beginnings UMC, Rev. Fleming served Elloree and Jerusalem United Methodist churches.
In addition to Rev. Fleming’s work in local churches, he has served in many ways, including on district boards of Congregational Development and as district Christian education and youth coordinator, to name a few. He also served as the prayer coordinator for the Imagine No Malaria steering committee. Rev. Fleming currently is the co-registrar for candidacy and mentors on the Board of Ordained Ministry.
Rev. Fleming is married to Carla Fair Fleming. They have three adult children and enjoy spending time with their two grandchildren.
Spartanburg District
Rev. Mitchell
The Rev. Cathy Mitchell, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church in Johns Island, will succeed the Rev. Paul Harmon as superintendent of the Spartanburg District.
Rev. Harmon has served the Spartanburg District as superintendent since 2010. He is retiring at the 2018 Annual Conference.
Rev. Mitchell was born in Williams, South Carolina, and graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1988 with a bachelor of science degree in health information administration. She earned a master of arts degree in speech pathology and audiology from South Carolina State University in 1997. Over 15 years, she worked in health management and as a speech-language pathologist and audiologist.
Being called to ordained ministry, Rev. Mitchell was ordained in 2008 following her 2005 graduation from Candler School of Theology with a master of divinity degree. Before her appointment to Wesley UMC, she served St. James UMC in Sumter.
In addition to Rev. Mitchell’s work in local churches, she has served in many ways, including on district and conference committees of Connectional Ministries and Nominations and on the Conference Response Team. She currently serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry as chairperson of the Call and Disciplined Life Committee, as chairperson of the Charleston District Committee on Ordained Ministry, and as the vice president of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women.
Rev. Mitchell enjoys many outdoor activities and spending time with her family.
Anderson District
Rev. Patterson
The Rev. Steve Patterson, pastor of Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church in Camden, will succeed the Rev. Susan Leonard-Ray as superintendent of the Anderson District.
Rev. Leonard-Ray has served the Anderson District as superintendent since 2010. She is completing her term at the 2018 Annual Conference.
Rev. Patterson was born in Antreville, South Carolina. He graduated from Erskine College in 1985 with bachelor’s degrees in biology and Christian education.
Rev. Patterson was ordained in 1993 following his 1991 graduation from Erskine Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree. Before his appointment to Lyttleton Street UMC, Rev. Patterson served Hopewell-Lancaster, Grace-Pickens, Liberty Chapel/Friendship-Florence, Pelion/Sharon/Bethel, and Bethel/Ebenezer-Anderson United Methodist churches, as well as the Francis Marion Wesley Foundation.
In addition to Rev. Patterson’s work in local churches, he has served in many ways, including as a facilitator for the Forward Focus initiative, a candidacy mentor, and on district committees on District Superintendency and Congregational Development. Rev. Patterson currently serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry, the Summit on the Black Church design team, and the district Committee on Ordained Ministry.
Rev. Patterson is married to Debra Deschamps Patterson. He enjoys creative writing and many outdoor activities.
