Bishop Swanson will be speaking at Hillsville First United Methodist Church on Sunday September 7th at 11am. You are certainly invited to join us for a great message, “Let The Church Be The Church”.
This is our Homecoming Service and a meal will follow the service. Everyone is welcome to stay for the good food and great fellowship.
Ronnie
James E. Swanson, Sr.
Resident Bishop
Holston Annual Conference
Bishop James Swanson Sr. was elected to the episcopacy in July 2004. At the time of his election, he was Superintendent of the Savannah District of the South Georgia Annual Conference. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Bible College and Master of Divinity degree from C. H. Mason Seminary, ITC, Atlanta, GA.He is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Evangelism at Perkins School of Theology, SMU.
His most recent pastoral appointment was St. Mary’s Road UMC, a congregation that grew from sixteen active members to a membership of 950 with an average attendance of over 525. He has served as Chair of the Board of Commissioners, Housing Authority of Columbus, GA. He received a Hope VI Grant to revitalize a depressed community in Columbus and headed the Mayor’s Task Force on Gangs. He is a popular preacher, teacher, and leader within our connection.
Bishop Swanson and his wife, the former Delphine Yvonne Ramsey, have six children and ten grandchildren. They reside in Knoxville with their two teenage children. His hobbies include golf and hiking.