| By
Michael Wacht
LAKELAND — Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker
announced earlier this month the appointment of two new district
superintendents. The appointments will begin following the licensing,
consecration and ordination service at the Florida Annual Conference
Event May 28-31, here.
The Rev. Dr. Terry Markins, pastor of First
United Methodist Church, St. Petersburg, succeeds the Rev. Walter
Edwards as superintendent of the Leesburg District. The Rev. Dr.
Jeffrey Stiggins, pastor of Titusville’s Indian River City United
Methodist Church, succeeds the Rev. W. Dean Witten as superintendent
of the Orlando District. Edwards and Witten are retiring this year.
“Both Terry and Jeff are competent and highly
experienced pastors,” Whitaker said. “Both of them have the gifts
to be excellent superintendents. I believe each one will provide the
kind of leadership needed on the district to which he is appointed.”
Whitaker also thanked the two retiring
superintendents for their service. “I am grateful for the service of
Walter and Dean, and I hope that they will enjoy their retirement,”
he said.
The Rev. Dr. Terry M. Markins
Markins has served the United Methodist Church
for 33 years as pastor of churches in Gainesville, Ocala, Daytona
Beach and DeLand. He also served student appointments in the West
Virginia and North Georgia conferences.
He is a native of West Virginia and a graduate
of West Virginia Wesleyan College and the Candler School of Theology
at Emory University. He received his doctor of ministry degree from
McCormick Theological Seminary.
Markins has served on several conference work
areas, including Children’s Ministry, Stewardship and Church and
Society. He has served on the St. Petersburg District Committee on
Ordained Ministry, DeLand District Board of Mission and Church
Extension, and the Gainesville District Builders’ Club and Council
on Ministries. He has worked with district and conference efforts to
stop casino gambling.
He has participated in community and fraternal
organizations, including the St. Petersburg and Daytona Beach chambers
of commerce and Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. He served the Volusia County
Mental Health Association and Domestic Abuse Council board of
directors.
Markins and his wife, Rosalie, have two children
Deborah Lynn Rieder and Terry Markins Jr.
The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey H. Stiggins
Stiggins has served the United Methodist Church
for 24 years as pastor of churches in Sebring, Frostproof, Miami and
Hollywood Hills.
He is a native of Central Florida and a graduate
of Florida Southern College and Candler School of Theology at Emory
University. He received his doctor of ministry degree from Boston
University School of Theology.
Stiggins has been a member of the Board of
Ordained Ministry. He was also chairman of the West Palm Beach
District Committee on Ordained Ministry and Commission on Equitable
Salaries. His wife, Sue, is a special education teacher who worked as
an exceptional education placement specialist for Brevard County. They
have two children. Their son, Kalon, is a senior at Florida Southern
College and their daughter, Anna, is a pre-med student at the
University of Florida. |
