Free Methodists Elect New Bishop

INDIANAPOLIS, MAY 16, 2005. Dr. David W. Kendall was elected Saturday to the office of bishop in the Free Methodist Church of North America (FMCNA)to fill the unexpired term of Bishop Leslie L. Krober who had requested that the church release him from his appointment as bishop to pursue new avenues of ministry. Bishop-Elect Kendall will assume the office on September 1, joining Bishops Roger W. Haskins Jr., Joseph F. James, and Richard D. Snyder as overseers of the Free Methodist Church of North America.

"I feel deeply humbled and honored," said Kendall, "and am excited about the opportunity to serve the Lord in this way."

Kendall has served as superintendent of the Great Plains Conference for the past six years and previously for 16 years as a pastor in the Southern Michigan and Great Plains conferences.

"My wife Ellen and I welcome David and Lavone Kendall as David assumes his new responsibilities," said Haskins. "He has been selected by the church and entrusted with the calling we bishops share as servant/shepherd leaders. It will be an honor and a privilege to serve with David for the sake of reaching one more soul."

Grandson of former bishop W.S. Kendall (1958-1969), David Kendall is a frequent contributor to religious journals — including regular contributions to the Deeper Path section of the denomination's Light & Life magazine — and author of God's Call to be Like Jesus - Living a Holy Life in an Unholy World.

Kendall is a graduate of Spring Arbor University, Asbury Theological Seminary and received a doctorate from Union Theological Seminary. He is married to Lavone and they have three children - Charis Pastor (Jeremy), Rachel and Katrina.

This was the first time an FMCNA bishop has been elected by a general conference that was not in session. Prior to a revision to the Governing Rules in 1999, unexpired terms were filled by a vote of the denominational Board of Administration. The revision stipulates that an unexpired term now be filled by a vote of the general conference delegates instead.

The Free Methodist Church is an evangelical protestant denomination with more than 750,000 members worldwide and approximately 1,000 churches in the United States.