Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint Rev. Geoff Helton, Rev. Cody Natland, and Rev. Hubert Rigor to a superintendency team overseeing the Inland and Seven Rivers District beginning July 1, 2026. Rev. Daniel Miranda will continue to serve as Inland and Seven Rivers District Superintendent through the next appointment year before ending his tenure in the role.
Columbia and Sage District Superintendents team
Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint Rev. Dr. Troy Lynn Carr, Rev. Melissa Harkness and Rev. Dr. Rob Walters to a superintendency team overseeing the Sage and Columbia Districts in the Oregon-Idaho Conference, July 1, 2026. Rev. Karen Hernandez will continue to serve as Columbia and Sage District Superintendent through the next appointment year before ending her tenure in the role.
Puget Sound District Superintendency Team
Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint Rev. Joel Aosved, Rev. Pat Longstroth, and Rev. Joe Kim to a superintendency team overseeing the Puget Sound District beginning July 1, 2026. Rev. Mark Galang will continue to serve as Puget Sound District Superintendent through the next appointment year before ending his tenure in the role.
Crest to Coast Superintendency Team
Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth has announced the future appointment of Rev. Katie Ladd and Rev. Bruce Smith to a superintendency team serving the Crest to Coast District beginning in 2026. He also announced an appointment for Rev. Smith to new ministry settings in 2025. The superintendency appointments are part of a broader shift toward collaborative, part-time superintendency — an innovative model designed to bring leadership closer to local churches while supporting continuity and care.
SeaTac Superintendency Team
Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth intends to appoint Rev. Shalom Agtarap, Rev. Ferdie Llenado, and Rev. Elizabeth Schindler to a superintendency team overseeing the SeaTac District beginning July 1, 2025. In addition to this new appointment, Revs. Agtarap and Llenado will continue to serve their current appointments, Tacoma First United Methodist Church (UMC) and Fairwood Community UMC, respectively.
Looking Forward
Bishop Bridgeforth offers an early update on significant leadership transitions coming to the Pacific Northwest and Oregon-Idaho conferences. Beginning in January, we will share announcements related to new superintendency appointments and an experimental team-based model designed to bring leadership closer to the local church while easing financial burdens. These changes come as several current superintendents complete their service in the next 18 months. We’re also expanding the cabinet to include leadership in Indigenous Ministries and continuing our commitments to equity and innovation. The bishop remains committed to sharing transparently as we shape a future responsive to the needs of today’s church.
The morning after…
On this morning after a contentious election cycle, GNW Area Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth shares this reminder of the people we are called to be in community.
Bishop Bridgeforth previews next ‘Setting Ministry Priorities’ Conversation focused on exploring the purpose of our ministry
Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth invites all laity and clergy across the Greater Northwest (GNW) Area to a series of discussions to uncover each conference’s ministry priorities and staffing needs and our openness to more collaboration. In a new video,Bishop Cedrick previews the next conversations taking place this week.
With General Conference over, our work begins now
With General Conference over, our work begins now
A pastoral message from Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth
Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth offers an informative and inspiring message for United Methodists in the Greater Northwest, highlighting several legislative accomplishments of a historic General Conference. His message connects the work of the delegates to the upcoming annual conference season, changes to the episcopacy in the jurisdiction, and our ongoing ministry in the Greater Northwest Area.
A pastoral letter from Bishop Cedrick on the eve of the scheduled execution in Idaho of Thomas E. Creech
On the eve of the schedule execution of Thomas E. Creech, a death-row inmate, in Idaho, Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth offers a pastoral message. He encourages United Methodist Churches in the area to join with other faith leaders and ring their church bells at 10 a.m. MST on Feb. 28 to offer a physical manifestation of the collective grief.