Bishop John L. Hopkins intends to appoint to the East Ohio Conference cabinet the Rev. Doug Lewis, who will serve as superintendent of the Firelands District.

“Doug has a pastoral heart and knows how to offer encouragement to others,” Hopkins said.  “I am pleased to have him on the cabinet.”

Lewis, who is in his fifth year as pastor of Granger United Methodist Church (Canal District), said, “I am humbled by the bishop’s invitation. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve and work with the pastors and congregations of the Firelands District.”

He will succeed as superintendent the Rev. Judy Wismar Claycomb, who will be appointed as the lead pastor of Church of the Saviour United Methodist Church (North Coast District) in Cleveland Heights. Both appointments are effective July 1.

Lewis began his East Ohio Conference ministry as the pastor of the Fredericktown circuit of Batemantown, Berlin, and Waterford UMCs. Prior to coming to Granger, he served the congregation of Main Street United Methodist Church (Mid-Ohio District) in Mansfield for six years.

“In between those appointments, my family and I enjoyed eight years in the Firelands District when we served at First United Methodist Church in Bellevue,” Lewis said. “I look forward to returning to the district and serving Christ’s Church in this new capacity.”

“In every appointment Doug has demonstrated a passion for making and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” Hopkins said.

Lewis has served East Ohio in a variety of leadership capacities. He is a current member of the Canal District Committee on Ordained Ministry and a previous chairperson of the conference Church and Society committee.

Lewis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Union College and a Masters of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

He and wife Suzanne are parents of a daughter and two sons.