LANSING MI…Bishop David A. Bard announces to the Michigan Conference the appointment of the Reverend John Kasper as district superintendent of the East Winds District, effective July 1, 2025. Rev. Kasper is currently serving as the district superintendent of the Central Bay District. He will follow the Rev. Dr. Margie Crawford, who has been a district superintendent since 2018. Rev. Dr. Crawford has been appointed as pastor of Northville United Methodist Church, effective July 1.
With Rev. Kasper serving as superintendent of two districts, Bishop Bard also announces the appointment of the Rev. John Hice as half-time assistant to the East Winds District Superintendent, effective July 1. Rev. Hice is being appointed as a retired elder. Immediately preceding his retirement, Rev. Hice served as district superintendent for the East Winds District. It is expected that this appointment will continue through the end of 2025.
Bishop Bard is making these appointments in light of likely changes to the Michigan Conference budget. Bishop Bard: “Even though finances play a significant role in these decisions, I am pleased that our current cabinet is willing to think creatively about superintending moving into the future. We will continue to think and imagine new ways of fulfilling our Disciplinary responsibilities while helping the churches of our conference explore unique ways to grow in vital mission and ministry. I am very grateful to Rev. Kasper and Rev. Hice for their willingness to assume new responsibilities.”
Bishop Bard said: “Making a new appointment to the cabinet is always a joy, and always also means a loss. The Rev. Dr. Margie Crawford has served as a district superintendent faithfully and well. Her ministry in both the Western Waters and East Winds districts has been deeply appreciated. She has served with her keen mind, out of her deep faith and love for the church. She has cared deeply about the congregations and clergy under her care. Her cabinet colleagues and I will miss her.”
The 2026 budget proposal, if approved, will provide funds for five district superintendents for the Michigan Conference. Bishop Bard will work with the cabinet and other conference leaders on a plan for superintending and districts to be proposed to the 2026 annual conference session. “We will want to think in new and creative ways about how our annual conference provides support for and supervision of our clergy and how we can encourage and provide resources for local congregations and ministries as they seek to be vibrant places for the ministry of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
