In these casual, one-on-one conversations with our United Methodist bishops. we get behind their bios to chat about their early lives and influences, their calls to ministry, and what they do when they have time to relax. Each bishop also recommends a practice they use to help keep them close to God each day. These audio recordings offer a great way to get to know the bishops of The United Methodist Church. Explore similar conversations with other United Methodist leaders at Get Your Spirit in Shape.
Bishop Minerva Carcaño
Meet the influential bishop who was the first Hispanic woman elected bishop, and serves as a leader in social justice ministries.
Bishop Patrick Streiff
Meet the bishop of the Central and Southern Europe Episcopal Area that serves 14 countries on two continents.
Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett
The North Alabama Conference Bishop talks about how her athletic background continues to inform her spiritual life today.
Bishop Thomas Bickerton
The New York area bishop shares about his interest in every person’s story, his knowledge of glass and his love of his work.
Bishop Bruce Ough
The former president of the Council of Bishops talks about his call to ministry, his faith journey and more.
Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar
In this “Meet a Bishop” episode, the Boston Area bishop talks about growing up in India, pastoral visits to coffee estates, and pilgrimages to Taizé.
Bishop Paul Leeland
United Methodist bishop is a trained pastoral counselor, a chess player, an avid reader, and secret musician ... but he told us what he plays!
Bishop James Swanson
The bishop shares how his home church shaped him, the importance of “glory sightings” and the spiritual reason he carries a rock in his toiletry bag.
Bishop Lawson Bryan
South Georgia bishop discusses early life in church, the question that called him from science to ministry, and keeping his spirit in shape today.
‘God Utilizes Everything’ with our United Methodist Bishops
Clips from our ‘Meet a Bishop’ chats teach how God shapes us as disciples of Jesus, even when things don’t happen the way we planned.
Bishop Hee-Soo Jung
Growing up in Korea, his conversion to Christianity at 16 started him on a lifelong pursuit of building bridges between the gospel, culture and faith groups.
Bishop Kenneth Carter
The United Methodist Council of Bishops president and Florida’s bishop, shares his faith journey, enjoying baseball, and intentionally taking Sabbath.
Bishop Eduard Khegay
Growing up in the Soviet Union, he was skeptical of the Christian faith. When friends invited him to church events, he found joy and purpose in Jesus.
Bishop Leonard Fairley
Growing up in poverty, life was not easy. In church, this future bishop found there was “always enough,” “always room,” and he was “always welcome.”
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
A pastor’s kid and former school psychologist, this United Methodist bishop encourages us to see beyond barriers and embrace possibilities
Bishop Laurie Haller
United Methodist bishop, musician, author, and endurance athlete shares about her life, call to ministry, and how she keeps her spirit in shape.
Bishop Frank Beard
At 11 years old, he was asked to acolyte in his United Methodist church, “Lighting the candles. Firing up the church. I think that’s been my mantra ever since.”
Bishop Sharma Lewis
A United Methodist bishop shares about her roots in the church, her call from medicine to ministry, a love of shoes, and her rich prayer life.
Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan
Raised in a church his grandparents founded, the Philippines United Methodist bishop is passionate about serving the poor, caring for the planet, and sharing the gospel with others.
Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.
The Great Plains bishop shares his call to ordained ministry from a career as a high school teacher, football coach, and business owner.
Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson
Bishop Sue tells us about her early career in law, her call to ministry, her love of books and Broadway, and her daily practice of silence.
Bishop Harald Rückert
In this conversation, we learn that the bishop of the Germany Central Conference once studied food technology, plays the sax, and speaks four languages.