Bishop Laura Merrill has announced her intention to appoint Rev. Roy Beth Kelley as Superintendent of the Northwest District beginning July 1, 2024. Kelley is currently the senior pastor of Lakewood UMC in North Little Rock. She has served as a pastor under appointment for 13 years in various large and small settings, including Dover UMC, Atkins and Bells Chapel UMCs, and Fort Smith First UMC.
Kelley was ordained as a full elder in 2021. She has served as a local pastor in small churches, as an associate pastor, and now as the senior pastor of a multi-clergy staff. She worked bi-vocationally while maintaining her career as an attorney and brings the perspective of recent experience with seminary and the ordination process.
Kelley’s education includes a B.A. in English from Arkansas Tech University, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law, and an M.Div. from United Theological Seminary with concentration areas in Church Renewal and Leadership.
Kelley served as a public school teacher for seven years and as an attorney for 20 years before being called into ministry. She has served as a member and chair of the Legislative Committee for the Arkansas Bar Association and shared that, “This opportunity impacted my faith in the area of seeking justice.”
“My greatest passion in ministry is to witness people being reborn in a relationship with Christ. I love to see people light up when they really grasp how much they are loved by God and start to grow in faith and love for God and their neighbors, “ shared Rev. Kelley. “I am thrilled to begin this new adventure with God and to have the opportunity to support and encourage the clergy, laity, and churches in the Northwest District. I can’t wait to be a part of all the wonderful ways Northwest District United Methodists are proclaiming the love of God, living out their faith, and serving in their mission fields!”
Bishop Merrill shared, “Roy Beth’s diverse experience will be a great asset to her and to the whole cabinet as she fulfills this new role. She brings energy, creativity, and a generous spirit to the work of ministry, and I am grateful for her willingness to serve in this way.”
Farewell Greeting and Well Wishes to Rev. Dr. Blake Bradford
Bishop Laura Merrill has appointed Rev. Dr. Blake Bradford as senior pastor of Fort Smith First United Methodist Church, effective July 1, 2024.
Bradford has served on the Cabinet and Appointive Cabinet for the past six years as the Central District Superintendent and the Northwest District Superintendent.
In addition to his work as a pastor and district superintendent, Rev. Bradford consults with churches and United Methodist Conferences across the country, leads workshops for national gatherings, and has authored and co-authored five books. He has also served on the Arkansas Conference Center for Vitality.
“It has been an honor to serve as a district superintendent and conference staff member over these last nine years, and I offer my thanks to the many pastors and church leaders who received me for encouragement, connection, and equipping. As I reenter parish ministry, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Christ’s church as we, together, grow disciples and share God’s love in the world,” added Rev. Bradford.
Bishop Merrill shared, “Blake has brought great skill and spirit to the cabinet. We have appreciated his insight, good judgment, and faithful witness. I know that Ft. Smith First UMC will delight in his abilities to shepherd them well into the opportunities God is placing before that congregation.”