The Lubbock District is comprised of 58 churches of all sizes in an expansive
geographical area within proximity to Lubbock, Texas. 

 

Our mission is to provide service and leadership to enable the United Methodist Church
in the Lubbock District to be in Ministry to the Church and to the world.
 

If you are a pastor we invite you to check here often for updates and information. 
If you are looking for a church home we invite you to explore our web page and
link to a pastor or church close to you.

 

 

 

Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe was born August 19, 1950.  He never imagined that he would be a Bishop in the United Methodist Church.  "My dad always said it.  Even when I was a part-time pastor, he would always say 'you are going to preach and you're going to be a bishop one day'"  His dad was right Bishop Bledsoe was elected to the Episcopacy in 2008.

Bishop Bledsoe holds a BA Degree from West Texas State University, a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology and a Doctor of Ministry from Drew University. He served as Bishop of the North TX Conference from 2008-2012.  His ministry appointments include District Superintendent of the Bryan/West District 2002-228, Spring Woods UMC (Houston) 2000-2002, Cypress UMC 1990-2000, Director of Teaching Ministries for the Texas Conference, Bear Creek UMC (Houston) 1986-1990, Hanham Methodist Church, Hanham, Bristol England.

Bishop Bledsoe and his wife Leslie have been married 27 years and have 6 children.

 

 

Rev. Richard W. Edwards
District Superintendent
 c[email protected]

 Richard Edwards was born in Plainview, TX in 1951, raised in Tulia, TX, where he was a member of First UMC, and graduated from Tulia High School in 1969.

 

After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Texas Tech University in 1973, he attended Perkins School of Theology, SMU graduating with a Master’s of Theology in 1978.

 

Before being appointed Superintendent of the Lubbock District, Richard’s appointments have included: Booker UMC, Booker, TX (78-81); First UMC, Olton, TX (81-87); First UMC, Muleshoe, TX (87-93); First UMC, Dumas TX (93-97) and as Sr. Pastor of St. Luke’s UMC, Midland, TX (97-08).

 

Reverend Edwards has served on numerous conference committees/boards and responsibilities including:

  • The Conference Council on Finance and Administration for 8 years including 4 years as chairperson

  • The Board of Ordained Ministry for 8 years - serving as chairperson of the continuing education committee and treasurer

  • The Conference Committee on Insurance for 8 years

  • The Conference Board of Higher Education for 6 years - serving as chairperson for 2 years

  • The Ceta Canyon Board of Trustees including serving as chairperson

  • The Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits during the past 4 years.

In addition he has served as chairperson for the Conference Committee on Worship, served on the Conference Ministry Team, the Bishop’s Dream Team, the Conference Committee on Nominations, the Bold New Directions Incubator and numerous district offices and as Alternate Delegate to General Conference and a delegate to Jurisdictional Conference

 

Richard is married to Jo Beth, a registered nurse, who works with Hospice of Lubbock.  They were married in 1972 and have three children:

  • Chris, an orthodontist in Ft. Worth, TX, his wife, Alison and son Turner

  • Kevin, a computer software architect in Ft. Worth, TX, his wife, Sally and sons Derrick and Nolan

  • Kimberly, a teacher at a college prep high school in Corpus Christi and her husband, Josh Poorman.