Guest Preacher

Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton is the resident bishop of the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church where she encourages the 421 congregations to stay on mission! Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is the mission that tethers us to the way of Jesus. Discipleship begins and ends in relationship with the Triune God and one another. Claiming Wesleyan theology and practice, Bishop Shelton envisions disciples joining God’s transformational work of peace-building in every community as we love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.

Bishop Shelton has served in a multiplicity of ministry contexts since her graduation from Duke University Divinity School in 1997. Her experience includes pastoral appointments in rural, urban, small, medium, and large membership churches in Mississippi. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Radio, Television and Film, as well as a Masters Degree in Public Relations from The University of Southern MS, Shelton’s appointment as executive director of The United Methodist Hour radio and television ministry of the Mississippi Conference equipped her for ongoing post-COVID video ministry. Her love for all dimensions of the church is expressed in her service as director of Field Education at Duke Divinity School, director of Connectional Ministries of the Mississippi Conference, and a District Superintendent. Shelton’s Doctor of Ministry Degree from Columbia Theological Seminary sharpened her focus on generative ministry. Connecting, inspiring, collaborating, and discerning are values Bishop Shelton centers for the people called United Methodists.

Bishop Shelton is married to Rev. Dr. Joey Shelton and they delight in their two young-adult daughters, Bailey (and husband Caleb) and Jessica.