Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, has appointed three new district superintendents – the Rev. Dr. Anthony Hodge, the Rev. Joey McDonald and the Rev. Ken Nelson. The appointments are effective June 24, 2020.
Rock Hill District
The Rev. Dr. Anthony Hodge, pastor of Cumberland United Methodist Church in Florence, will succeed the Rev. Joe Long as superintendent of the Rock Hill District.
Rev. Long has served the Rock Hill District as superintendent since 2012. He is retiring at the 2020 Annual Conference.
Rev. Hodge was born in Savannah, Georgia. He graduated from Chowan College in 1988 with an associate of arts degree and from the University of South Carolina in 1990 with a bachelor of arts degree.
Rev. Hodge was ordained in 1996 following his 1993 graduation from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University with a master of divinity degree. He earned a doctor of ministry degree in 2018 from Columbia Theological Seminary. Before his appointment to Cumberland UMC, Rev. Hodge served St. James UMC-Goose Creek, New Life UMC-Walterboro, the Walterboro Parish (Cumberland/Isaiah/Wesley), and the Harleyville Parish (Morris Chapel/Jerusalem/St. Daniel) in the South Carolina Conference, as well as one appointment as a student local pastor in the North Georgia Conference.
In addition to Rev. Hodge’s work in local churches, he has served in many ways, including on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and Conference Staff Relations Committee and district committees on Ordained Ministry and the Superintendency. He also has served as a district candidacy/clergy mentor and lay speaker instructor, as well as on the Epworth Children’s Home Board of Trustees.
Rev. Hodge currently serves as chairperson of the Florence District Committee on Ordained Ministry and as a conference residency in ministry mentor.
Rev. Hodge is married to the Rev. Dr. Sheila Elliott Hodge, pastor of Silver Hill Memorial UMC in Spartanburg. He enjoys writing, photography, watching new and classic movies and spending time with family and friends.
Walterboro District
The Rev. Joey McDonald, pastor of Bluffton United Methodist Church, will succeed the Rev. Thomas Pearson as superintendent of the Walterboro District.
Rev. Pearson has served the Walterboro District as superintendent since 2012. He is retiring at the 2020 Annual Conference.
Rev. McDonald was born in Lumberton, North Carolina, and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1988 with a bachelor of science degree.
Rev. McDonald was ordained in 1998 following his 1992 graduation from Erskine Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree. Before his appointment to Bluffton UMC, Rev. McDonald served the Barnwell Charge (Barnwell/Siloam), Cambridge UMC-Ninety Six and the St. Matthew Circuit (Ashland/Concord/St. Matthew) in Bishopville.
In addition to Rev. McDonald’s work in local churches, he has served in many ways, including on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and district committees for Ordained Ministry, Congregational Development, and the Superintendency.
Rev. McDonald currently serves on the Walterboro District Committee on Ordained Ministry and the Walterboro District Committee on Congregational Development.
Rev. McDonald is married to Mickaylla McDonald. They have five adult children. He enjoys hiking and traveling.
Orangeburg District
The Rev. Ken Nelson, coordinator of Clergy Services and conference secretary, will succeed the Rev. Dr. Frederick Yebuah as superintendent of the Orangeburg District.
Rev. Yebuah has served the Orangeburg District as superintendent since 2012. He is completing his term at the 2020 Annual Conference.
Rev. Nelson was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, and graduated from Newberry College in 1990 with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology, religion and philosophy.
Rev. Nelson was ordained in 1995 following his 1993 graduation from Duke Divinity School with a master of divinity degree. Before his appointment as coordinator of Clergy Services, he served as a congregational specialist and as the conference African-American Ministries coordinator, and at Silver Hill Memorial UMC-Spartanburg, Centenary UMC-Kingsville, St. John’s UMC-Aiken, Mt. Zion UMC-Sumter and St. Mark UMC-Sumter. He also has served as assistant dean and director of religious life at Duke University Chapel.
In addition to Rev. Nelson’s work in local churches and on conference staff, he has served in many ways, including on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and district committees on Ministry, as a member of the General Board of Church and Society, and as a delegate to five General Conferences and four Jurisdictional Conferences.
Rev. Nelson currently serves as a member of The Connectional Table of the United Methodist Church and as a member of the board of Black Methodists for Church Renewal of the Southeastern Jurisdiction.
Rev. Nelson is married to the Rev. Angela Ford Nelson, pastor of Good Hope Wesley Chapel UMC in Camden. He enjoys tennis, hanging out with family and his “furry child” named Burton, and quiet time at home.
