New Conference Superintendent Announced

Bishop Scott Jones is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Lauren Porter as the next Conference Superintendent of the Mississippi-West Tennessee Conference.

Rev. Porter succeeds Rev. Dr. Barry Male who is currently serving as Interim Conference Superintendent and Rev. Dr. Tim Prather who served faithfully from August 2023 to March 31, 2025.

Bishop Jones spent several weeks consulting with the Connectional Council, the Cabinet, and the Superintendency Committee as directed by Paragraph 607 of the Book of Doctrines and Discipline. Several excellent candidates were prayerfully considered. Bishop Jones received the consent of the Connectional Council to this appointment in a meeting on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Rev. Lauren Porter currently serves as the Senior Pastor of First Methodist Church in Yazoo City, MS, the Chair of the Board of Ministry, and the Presiding Elder of the South Delta District. He also served as a clergy delegate to the 2024 Convening General Conference of the Global Methodist Church in Costa Rica. We are beyond blessed to have Rev. Porter's commitment, leadership, and faithfulness to lead our conference.