Rev. John McLarty Appointed District Superintendent for Mid-North and East Districts

Rev. Dr. John McLarty

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. has announced the appointment of Rev. Dr. John McLarty as the next District Superintendent for the Mid-North and East Districts, effective July 1, 2026.

Ordained in 2003 in the legacy North Texas Conference, McLarty currently serves as senior pastor at First UMC Wichita Falls, an appointment he has held since 2017.

"Rev. Dr. McLarty brings deep roots in this region, extensive pastoral experience and a proven commitment to supporting healthy, vibrant congregations," said Bishop Saenz. "His leadership at First UMC Wichita Falls, his work with the Healthy Church Initiative and his service on multiple superintendency committees have prepared him well for this new role. I am confident he will be an effective partner to the clergy and churches of the Mid-North and East Districts."

“I still believe that the local church is uniquely equipped to be a catalyst for new life in Christ,” said McLarty. “I look forward to expanding my ministry in this new role to be a partner for the clergy and laity of the churches who faithfully serve our communities by sharing the love of Jesus."  

As District Superintendent, McLarty will provide leadership and support to United Methodist churches across the Mid-North and East Districts, working alongside clergy and laity to advance the United Methodist mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

“I’ve spent most of my life within 50 miles of the Red River, so the area comprising the East and Mid-North Districts feels like home to me,” said McLarty. “In fact, when I was a boy and my father was serving in the legacy North Texas Conference, we had appointments in Lamar, Hunt, Grayson and Wichita Counties. I love this area of our conference and look forward to building on that history as I serve the Mid-North and East Districts in this new appointment.”

Prior to his appointment to First UMC Wichita Falls, McLarty served the Holliday/Dundee charge, as associate pastor for new church development at Trietsch Memorial UMC in Flower Mound, as founding pastor of Faith UMC in Corinth, and as senior pastor at Stonebridge UMC in McKinney.

In addition to his pastoral appointments, McLarty has also chaired the Mid-North/East District Superintendency Committee and previously chaired the Northwest District Superintendency Committee in the legacy North Texas Conference. He has also chaired the board of the Wichita Falls Wesley Foundation, served on the District Committee on Ordained Ministry (DCOM) in a number of districts, worked on consultation teams with the Healthy Church Initiative and regularly serves as a clergy coach.

McLarty earned a Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in 2000 and a Doctor of Leadership from Portland Seminary at George Fox University. He has been married for 32 years to Jennifer, an educator and artist. The couple has three adult children in their 20s and a Border Collie/Blue Heeler mix who still chases her tail like a puppy, despite her advanced age. In his free time, McLarty enjoys golf, camping and hiking. Last summer, he walked the 96-mile West Highland Way in Scotland, traversing from Loch Lomond through the Highlands to Fort William.