Bishop names two new superintendents
By Annette Bender
Bishop Ray Chamberlain Jr. has announced the projected appointments of new superintendents for the Kingsport and Tazewell Districts.
The Rev. Fred Dearing will assume leadership of Kingport's 59 local churches in June following Annual Conference. The Rev. Don Nation will lead Tazewell's 84 congregations beginning in June.
Dearing, age 60, is currently serving as senior pastor at State Street United Methodist Church in Abingdon District. His previous appointments include Kodak Circuit, Ebenezer-Bailey, Trinity-Woodmore, and First Cleveland.
Dearing is currently serving as chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry. The district superintendent position, he said, came as a “surprise.”
“I feel humbled and honored and apprehensive and excited – all those emotions,” he said.
Dearing called Kingsport District “a very loyal district, a committed Bishop names two new superintendents district ... I hope to be very supportive of the pastors and supportive of the laity.”
Nation, 56, is currently serving as senior pastor at Mafair UMC in Kingsport District. His previous appointments include Greenback Circuit, Walland Campground, Church Street (associate), Fairview, Grundy, Bluefield-Virginia Avenue-Bethel, Lebanon Memorial, and First Galax. He has served on the Board of Ordained Ministry and Religion and Race Committee.
Nation said he appreciated the “faith of the folks” in Tazewell, having served Grundy in the 1980s. One of his children was born there, he noted.
“I'm a little anxious about the responsibilities, the supervisory aspect, but I'm looking forward to serving there,” he said.
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