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.

All three members of the joint Inland/ Seven Rivers District Superintendency team are expected to continue their current appointments to churches in the district. However, the new appointment will reduce the time allotted to their pastoral duties when it arrives in 2026. Rev. Helton is continuing his appointment to Spokane: Audubon Park; Rev. Natland will continue at Ellensburg First UMC; and Rev. Rigor will continue at Kennewick: West Highlands UMC.

In December, Bishop Bridgeforth announced that he would initiate a new supervision model for the Greater Northwest Area. This is the final superintendency team announcement for the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Conference with the SeaTac District, the first district to shift into this model in 2025, and the Crest to Coast and Puget Sound Superintendency Teams, both expected to begin in 2026, announced earlier this year. The bishop has also announced the members of the superintendency team, which will oversee the Columbia and Sage Districts in the Oregon-Idaho Conference.

Reflecting on the transition next year, current Inland/Seven Rivers District Superintendent Rev. Daniel Miranda wrote, “Serving in superintendency has been a pleasure. Serving under two bishops and with outstanding colleagues has made it all the better. After months of prayer, conversations and discernment, I decided that 2026 will be the year I step out of superintendency. I have been blessed to be a small part of this ministry and am delighted for the new superintendents who will faithfully serve you starting in 2026.”

Leading Together: Building teams for stronger ministry connections

In his upcoming episcopal address, Bishop Bridgeforth will reflect on learnings from last year’s ministry priorities conversations and highlight three key commitments: training conveners, streamlining funding processes, and fostering a culture of experimentation. The bishop emphasizes his commitment to “trying things,” particularly by rethinking how district superintendents are deployed and supported across conferences. This evolving approach aims to create more responsive, contextual, and sustainable leadership.

A significant change involves transitioning from traditional, overburdened district superintendent roles to superintendency teams where each superintendent serves part-time and focuses on their strengths. The bishop notes that these leaders are not expected to juggle two full-time roles and stresses the importance of boundary-setting for pastors and churches alike.

To support this shift, the bishop also outlines plans for training conveners, empowering elders to lead charge conferences, and developing conflict-mediation teams. The goal is to free superintendents in this new model to focus on leadership development and deeper connections, not only within the United Methodist connection but also with ecumenical, educational, and nonprofit partners.

As preparations continue, the bishop invites all local ministries to embrace creativity, innovation, and shared leadership to foster vibrant, effective ministry. The bishop’s episcopal address will be published on the Greater Northwest Area website starting this week for conference members to read as they prepare for their annual sessions.

Early hopes from the Inland/Seven Rivers Superintendency Team

As the Pacific Northwest Conference embraces a new, collaborative model of superintendency, Rev. Hubert Rigor, Rev. Cody Natland, and Rev. Geoff Helton anticipate stepping into this shared leadership role with a deep commitment to strengthening churches, nurturing leaders, and fostering vibrant community connections. Together, they bring a rich diversity of experiences and a unified passion for seeing the Church thrive in new and transformative ways.

In the following statements, Hubert, Cody, and Geoff offer their visions and hopes for this new chapter of ministry, reflecting on the opportunities for deeper collaboration, renewed vitality, and faithful witness in the work ahead.

Rev. Hubert Rigor offers a compelling vision for the church’s future:

“I envision a church that boldly embodies Christ’s call to unity, love, and transformation—a vibrant network of local congregations working together, breaking down barriers through genuine relationships and ecumenical collaboration. The church is a powerful witness when it reflects God’s boundless love and grace, and I long for communities of faith that not only welcome people but truly embrace them—churches where every culture, background, and story is celebrated. When we recognize the image of God in one another, we begin to see the beauty and strength of Christ’s diverse body. In such a church, the kingdom of God is not a distant hope, but a living, breathing reality.”

Rev. Cody Natland emphasizes the strength of the Church’s connectional nature and the promise of shared ministry:

“Connectionism is one of our greatest gifts as United Methodists, and I look forward to leaning into that through this new model of superintendency. I am excited to nurture new opportunities for collaboration and partnership in our churches to best live out our faith and serve our communities. I am honored to serve in this role and eager to work with Hubert and Geoff as we step into this new and life-giving season.”

Rev. Geoff Helton reflects on the promise of teamwork and shared leadership:

“I’m excited about this new and more collaborative model for superintendency in our conference and the opportunity to work alongside Hubert and Cody. We each bring different gifts and skills, but share a passion for building healthy churches and developing vital leaders. It’s my hope that this new way of working together will help our churches and leaders grow more connected to one another and the communities we serve.”

With a shared vision, diverse gifts, and a commitment to relational leadership, Hubert, Cody, and Geoff look forward to this new chapter, ready to empower churches and leaders to thrive. Their appointment, anticipated for 2026, reflects the Pacific Northwest Conference’s ongoing commitment to creative, connectional ministry that honors tradition and embraces new possibilities.