Bishop James R. King, Jr. announces the projected appointment of the Rev. Dr. Ben Martin as the next Superintendent of the Statesboro District. The appointment will become effective at the conclusion of the Annual Conference session in June.
Dr. Martin is presently serving as senior pastor of Springfield First United Methodist Church. Previously, Dr. Martin served Wrens UMC, Vidalia First UMC – Associate, and the Brewton Charge.
“Ben Martin has demonstrated extraordinary spiritual leadership in every pastoral appointment he has held,” said Bishop King. “His gifts and graces will benefit the whole conference as he extends his ministry through the Statesboro District and the whole Conference.”
In response to this new assignment, Dr. Martin said, “Over the last twenty-two years I’ve spent investing my life in the Church, I have come to realize now more than ever how much the Church has invested in me.
“Countless pastors and several churches have mentored me by example, encouragement, prayer, and opportunity. I look at this new call upon my life as an opportunity to pass on to other pastors and churches some of gifts that were passed on to me.
“I am humbled and honored that Bishop King would entrust such a responsibility to me, and I look forward to sharing in the larger work of the Church through the Cabinet and in the Statesboro District.”
Dr. Martin will succeed Dr. Joel Dent, who was appointed Interim District Superintendent effective December 1, 2009, following the tragic death of Rev. Joseph Roberson on November 21.
The Statesboro District is comprised of 82 local churches.