Bishop John L. Hopkins intends to appoint to the East Ohio cabinet the Rev. Edward P. Peterson, who will serve as superintendent of the Canal District.

“Ed is a servant of Christ who exhibits leadership by equipping others for ministry,” Hopkins said.

“His winsome personality, relational skills and dedication to excellence have made him an encouraging mentor to clergy and laity.   As a graduate of the University of Akron, he is no stranger to many of the churches in the Canal District.”

“It was through the loving care of the people of the Canal District that I came to faith and sensed a call to ministry,” Peterson said.  “The district has a rich heritage that makes it uniquely equipped to reach people for the kingdom of God in the 21^st century.  I look forward to working alongside the great people of the Canal district.”

Prior to entering the ministry, he worked as an engineer for commercial heating and air conditioning companies in the Cleveland/Akron area.

“That part of my life, in which I was the person sitting in the pew, gives me a unique perspective into the lives of the people I serve as pastor,” Peterson said.  “I know what it is like to lose a job, to struggle to make a mortgage, and to face all of the problems that people in the ‘real world’ face.”

Peterson replaces the retiring Rev. Dr. Valerie Stultz, who has served the district since 2008.  Her retirement and Peterson’s appointment are effective July 1.

Raised in the Mahoning United Methodist Church in Youngstown, Peterson came to faith and was called into ministry while attending Living Hope United Methodist Church in Norton.  His first appointment was to Lake Brady United Methodist Church as a student Local Pastor in 1996 and was then appointed to the church full-time in 2002.

Peterson has served as senior pastor of Middlefield United Methodist Church since 2005.  The congregation recently dedicated 15 acres of land as the site for a planned new church.  The church will be within walking distance of all students in the local school system.

Peterson is a current member of the Board of Ordained Ministry and previously chaired the Annual Conference Program committee.  In addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Akron, he earned a Masters of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

Ed and his wife, Cindy, are parents of two sons and a daughter.