Local candidate endorsed for episcopal spot

By Rachel L. Toalson
Managing Editor

By a nearly unanimous standing vote, delegates to the Southwest Texas Conference annual conference session endorsed June 5 the candidacy of the Rev. Mike Lowry, executive director of New Church Development and Transformation for the conference, for election to the episcopacy of The United Methodist Church's South Central Jurisdiction.

"I'm very humbled and deeply honored by the support of my wonderful annual conference," Lowry said. "God has truly blessed me through the sharing of ministry in the Southwest Texas Conference.

Jay Brim, leader of the conference's General Conference delegation, cited Lowry's extensive experience in New Church Development—stemming not only from his current appointment but also from his academic background. Lowry wrote on evangelism and church growth as part of his dissertation.

Brim asked the more than 1,300 annual conference delegates to follow the unanimous endorsement of its delegation with its own endorsement.

Lowry joins nine candidates being considered for three open Episcopal positions. Episcopal leaders will be selected during Jurisdictional Conference July 16-19 in Dallas. Jurisdictional Conference happens every four years.