Presiding Elders
Presiding Elders serve as vital bridges between local churches and conference leadership, working closely with the Conference Superintendent to strengthen and support our local church communities. Think of them as experienced shepherds who guide both clergy and congregations within their assigned districts. They ensure churches have the resources and leadership they need to thrive, help develop new ministers, and work to strategically grow our ministry presence in local communities.
When a church is between pastors or needs additional support, Presiding Elders step in to provide guidance and maintain continuity of ministry. They remain connected with church leaders and clergy to offer counsel, ensure proper administration, and help develop effective ministry strategies. Their role combines spiritual oversight, administrative leadership, and practical support to help our churches fulfill their mission of sharing God's love and building disciples for Christ.
Below you'll find our current Presiding Elders and the districts they serve:
[PLEASE NOTE: NEW MAP COMING SOON!]
List of Services
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Rev. Jon CarrellEmail Jon List Item 4
Illinois Central District
Jon Carrell has been the pastor of Sherman Methodist Church in Sherman, Illinois, since 2018. He also serves as the presiding elder for the Illinois Central District. His wife, Stephanie, teaches junior high writing, and their daughters are Trisha, a student at the University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts in Springfield, and Marissa, a Music Education major at the University of Illinois.
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Rev. Doug CarrollEmail Doug
Wisconsin Illinois West District
Doug Carroll was blessed by God to lead a group of Methodists to start a new church in Lena, Illinois called New Vine Community Church on July 1st, 2023. His passion is to see lost people saved and saved people grow in their walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and to be filled with and empowered by the Holy Spirit. He is grateful for the honor to serve as the Presiding Elder over the Wisconsin Illinois West district. He welcomes opportunities to serve others in ministry.
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Rev. Keith ChanleyEmail Keith
Indiana West Central District
Keith Chanley began his pastoral ministry in 1988 and he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Oakland City University in 1995. While at OCU, he met Dana, and they married on June 2, 1990. They have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and four grandchildren. Keith joined the Wesleyan Covenant Association in 2016 and served as treasurer for the Indiana chapter. Ordained as a Global Methodist Church elder in October 2023, Keith has served at Kokomo Zion since August 2023.
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Rev. Arthur CollinsEmail Art
Indiana South Central District
Art Collins began his ministry in 1976 at a three-point student pastoral charge and retired in 2017. In 2022, he transferred to the Global Methodist Church and began volunteering to help launch the new denomination. Art serves as a Presiding Elder and the Great Lakes Discipleship Chair. He has extensive leadership experience in Scouting ministry, both locally and internationally. With a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, Art’s interests include cooking, camping, music, languages, history, and education. He has been married to Deanne since 1973.
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Rev. Jim GyselEmail Jim
Michigan West District
Jim Gysel committed his life to following Jesus at the age of 15. Over the years, he has served in a variety of church settings—small and large, urban and rural. He married Shari in 1970, and together they have two grown sons, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Jim is a Vietnam War combat veteran, having served as a sentry dog handler with the Military Police from 1967-68. He currently serves as Chaplain for the Michigan Calhoun County Sheriff's Office. Jim holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Care. His hobbies include playing trombone in jazz bands, riding his bike, and golfing.
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Rev. Kevin HarbinEmail Kevin
Michigan North District
Kevin Harbin did not grow up in a Methodist church, but at the age of 25, God led him to one. Though not raised to read the Bible, his journey as a young adult in the Methodist faith transformed him. In 1986, he gave his heart to Jesus. After a 10-year career in sales, Kevin felt called to pastoral ministry and attended Asbury Seminary, where he graduated in 1997. He is grateful for the guidance he received and has since served churches in rural, suburban, and urban settings, sharing God's Word and love wherever he is called.
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Rev. Karin KayeEmail Karin
Wisconsin East District
Karin Kaye gave her life to Jesus and accepted a call to ministry when she was 22. This call led her to Oral Roberts University School of Theology where she met her future husband & co-pastor, Creighton. The Kayes finished their seminary education at Dubuque Theological Seminary. Together, they have served small rural churches, a mega-church, and have been at their current church, Faithbridge, for 25 years. Karin’s spiritual gifts include encouragement, prophecy, and leadership. Karin treats every day as a special gift from God waiting to be unwrapped. She enjoys traveling, reading, and visiting her three grown kids!
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Rev. Danny MottaEmail Danny
Illinois Southeast District
Danny Motta is a devoted child of God, wholly committed to the perfect Word of God and spreading scriptural holiness within the Wesleyan tradition. He is blessed with an amazing wife, Karen, and three incredible young adult children who all love Jesus and serve His Kingdom. Danny has a passion for preaching the Gospel, leading worship, and teaching traditional Chinese Kung Fu from a Christian perspective. He holds an undergraduate degree in Religion with a focus on Biblical Studies from Missouri Baptist University and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary.
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Rev. Mitch NorwoodEmail Mitch
Indiana Central District
Mitch holds an undergraduate degree in Marketing and Finance, as well as an MBA from Purdue University and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Asbury Theological Seminary. Before entering ministry, he worked in the pharmaceutical and banking industries. Ordained in 2008, Mitch has served as a pastor for over 24 years, leading churches of various sizes across Indiana. He is currently the Lead Pastor at Faith Harvest Church in Marion, Indiana. In addition to his pastoral work, he is actively involved in a ministry that provides chaplaincy for the professional Supercross and Motocross racing series.
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Rev. Jason RiceEmail Jason List Item 3
Indiana East Central
Jason Rice and his wife Vicki have been married for 29 years. They have three adult sons, two amazing daughters-in-laws and 2 beautiful grandchildren. Jason currently is the lead pastor of the Compass Church, a multi-site ministry with three campuses stretching across East Central Indiana. Jason earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 2013 and Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton Ohio in 2016. Jason has the privilege of serving as the Presiding Elder for the East Indiana District.
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Rev. Michael T. SawickiEmail Michael
Michigan Central District
Michael T. Sawicki grew up in a small rural church and came to faith in Jesus at camp. He attended Asbury Theological Seminary and has served in congregations in Kentucky and Michigan, including a church plant in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Michael is currently the Lead Pastor at Aldersgate Church, with campuses in Midland and Saginaw. He has been married to his wife Patty for 31 years, and together they have two daughters: Hannah (24, programming staff at Simpson Park Camp) and FaithAnne (18, now in heaven with Jesus). Michael is passionate about serving Christ and his community.
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Rev. Rob SeewaldEmail Rob List Item 1
Michiana District
Rob Seewald serves as pastor of Leesburg Methodist, and lead servant of Front Porch Ministries. His passion for small town and rural churches led him to create Front Porch Ministries, a ministry linking churches helping them to not just survive, but to thrive and seek new ways to become the church the community needs.
Rob resides in Etna Green, Indiana with his wife Amy and is a father to Beth, Brittany and Anna and grandfather to Braxton, Bailey, and Harper, and another to come in November 2025.
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Rev. Clifford SchroederEmail Cliff
Michigan Southeast District
Cliff and his wife, Rachel, have been married for 28 years and are blessed with four children. Their home is filled with the music of many instruments. Raised in rural Michigan, Cliff has known the church since childhood. He began his career in mathematics and science, with a calling to teaching and sharing Jesus in mission fields. His path led him to pastoral ministry in an unexpected mission field. He now serves as the pastor of Holly Calvary Church. Cliff continues to be grateful for the opportunity to teach and proclaim God’s grace, truth, and love.
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Rev. Jeff SmithEmail Jeff
Indiana Northeast District
Jeff Smith grew up without a church background and became a pastor after only a few years as a committed Christian—a perspective that has proved valuable in his ministry. As a second-career professional, Jeff brings a diverse range of experiences to his work. He has served as a hospital administrator, worked for a government agency, and spent nearly thirty years in pulpit ministry, including leadership roles. All of these experiences have shaped his approach as a Presiding Elder and pastor, equipping him for this pivotal moment in ministry.
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Rev. Chris TitusEmail Chris List Item 2
Michigan Thumb District
After being a trial lawyer for 25 years, I turned my entire focus and passion FINALLY to serving Jesus Christ. My doctorate is in church Revitalization, with a heart for rural churches. As Pastor in a rural community in Michigan, I can attest to the desire of congregants to share the gospel with as many as we can, as often as we can, for as long as we can! I am blessed to serve as Presiding Elder of the Thumb District of Michigan.
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Rev. Darren WilliamsEmail Darren
Indiana Southwest District
Originally from Meadville, Pennsylvania, Darren Williams' ministry began in 1990 with his first appointment as a student pastor. God brought him to Indiana where he completed his MDiv at Anderson School of Theology (2002) and was ordained in 2006. Prior to his pastoral call, he served 9 years in the US Navy and earned his BA in music and art from Slippery Rock University, Pennsylvania.
His passion is to use his spiritual gifts and talents to preach, teach, and equip others to understand and respond to God's call on their lives. He looks forward to serving together with his congregation.
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Rev. Jason WooleverEmail Jason
Illinois North District
Jason has served as Directing Pastor of Crossroads Global Methodist Church in Washington, Illinois since 2015. He previously pastored churches in Mascoutah and Pontiac. In 2025, Jason was appointed as a Presiding Elder and is excited to serve.
A native of Charleston, Illinois, Jason studied classical guitar at Northern Illinois University before answering God’s call. He later earned a Master of Divinity from Austin Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Seminary. Married to Jennice since 2000, they have four kids. His hobbies include practicing guitar, playing disc golf, hunting, hiking, and exercising.
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Rev. Harold ZimmickEmail Harold
Wisconsin Central District
Harold Zimmick has served Asbury Church in Madison, Wisconsin, since 2005. Prior to that, he was the Director of the Nehemiah Leadership Institute in Minneapolis, where he worked with pastors, church staffs, and lay leaders for five years. Harold has served churches of various sizes across Wisconsin since 1981. He holds an undergraduate degree from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Harold and his wife, Wendy, married in 1984, and have three children: Charis, Caleb (married to Hillary with two sons), and Connor (married to Molly with a son). He enjoys sports and family time.