Bishop Wallace-Padgett
The Reverend Dr. Debra Wallace-Padgett was elected a Bishop of the United Methodist Church at the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference. She has served as episcopal leader in the North Alabama Conference since her election with the addition of the Holston Conference on September 1, 2021.
At the time of her election, she was the lead pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Lexington, Kentucky – an appointment she served for eight years. During her tenure, St. Luke grew in membership, strengthened its infrastructure, built a $4.5 million Ministry Life Center and launched a multi-cultural worship service.
Her previous service in the church includes six years as District Superintendent, three years as pastor of Paris First UMC ,11 years on staff at Lexington First UMC and two years as Director of Christian Education at Lexington Epworth UMC. She served in a variety of roles in the Kentucky Annual Conference, Southeastern Jurisdiction and General Conference. She is currently the chair of the standing Committee on Evangelism for the World Methodist Council. She previously served as President of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, and a member of the Commission on a Way Forward, the Connectional Table and the Council of Bishops Executive Committee.
She is a graduate of Berea College (Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education), Scarritt College and Graduate School (Master of Arts in Christian Education), Lexington Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity) and Asbury Theological Seminary (Doctorate of Ministry),
Bishop Wallace-Padgett is married to Rev. Lee Padgett, a retired deacon in the United Methodist Church. They are the parents of two adult children, Leanndra Thompson (Alexander) and Andrew Padgett, and have two granddaughters (Crindalyn Thompson and Raylena Mildred Thompson).
Get Your Spirit in Shape Podcast
"Meet Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett"
by United Methodist Communications and umc.org
Book
God Broke Through at Christmas
by Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett
God Broke Through at Christmas is a resource for congregations, small groups and individuals wishing to prepare for Christmas.
United Methodist Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett has created a resource to assist both individuals and small groups in spiritual preparation through the Advent season. Each chapter begins with a meditation and study session guide, followed by daily devotionals for the week.
God Breaks Through at Christmas focuses on four different aspects of life transformed by Jesus Christ’s birth, ministry, death and resurrection:
- Silence
- Nights of the soul
- Seemingly impossible situations
- Chaos
The book concludes with a Christmas Eve mediation, reminding us of the most remarkable breakthrough of all, as God breaks through our hopelessness with hope.
Bishop Wallace-Padgett’s prayer is that as you read and reflect upon the meditations, daily devotionals, and session guides in this book, you will experience God breaking into your life in fresh ways.