Prentiss appointed as new DS

Bishop David Bard announces the appointment of the Rev. Dean Prentiss as the next superintendent of the Greater Southwest District, effective July 1, 2024.

Bishop Bard has announced the appointment of the Rev. Dean Prentiss to become the next superintendent of the Greater Southwest District, effective July 1, 2024. Currently, Rev. Prentiss serves as Senior Pastor of Wesley Park United Methodist Church in Wyoming, MI, where he has been appointed since 2011. He will follow the Rev. Dwayne Bagley as superintendent. Rev. Bagley has served the maximum eight consecutive years as a district superintendent and will receive another appointment effective July 1.

“I am delighted to have Dean Prentiss join the cabinet and become the superintendent of the Greater Southwest District,” said Bishop Bard. “He is a person with a deep and reflective faith in Jesus Christ and a passionate desire to see the church be its best. He brings to the position of superintendency a compassionate pastoral heart and a wealth of leadership experience in the Michigan Conference, including service on the Conference Committee on the Episcopacy, on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, as past chairperson of the West Michigan Conference Order of Elders, as well as on several district committees. He will be a wonderful addition to the cabinet team.”

Rev. Prentiss is a lifelong Michigan United Methodist. He was baptized and confirmed at Troy: First UMC. In addition to an undergraduate degree in philosophy/religion and political science from United Methodist-affiliated Adrian College (Adrian, MI), Prentiss holds a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School (Nashville, TN). His prior appointments include Big Rapids: First UMC (2009-2011), Williamston UMC (1999-2009), and Mt. Pleasant: Trinity and Countryside UMCs (1995-1999).

“I am looking forward to getting to know and celebrate the people of the Greater Southwest District,” said Rev. Prentiss. “I have been blessed to have walked beside amazing people and served loving churches in my life of ministry. I thank each and every person who has been a radiant reflection of the presence of Jesus Christ in the world. I believe this is an awesome time to be United Methodist! Let us not grow weary while doing what is good.”

“Making a new appointment to the cabinet is always a joy, and it also entails a loss,” added Bishop Bard. “The Rev. Dwayne Bagley became a district superintendent the same year I was elected a bishop and assigned to the Michigan Area. I have greatly appreciated his ministry among us. He has served both the Michigan Conference and the Greater Southwest District, and its predecessors, with compassion, integrity, intelligence, a deep faith, and a deep love for the church. He has helped lead during the challenges of COVID-19 and disaffiliation. I will miss him on the cabinet, as will his colleagues.”