BISHOP KENNY MARTIN
A Message from the Bishop
Dear River Conference Family,
Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus.
I am grateful for the prayer, discernment, and faithfulness you continue to bring to the life and leadership of the River Conference. It is a joy to walk alongside you as together we seek God’s direction for this season.
I am writing to share an important next step in the superintendent election process.
Voting will be open from February 2nd through February 6th. During this time, eligible voters will have the opportunity to prayerfully cast their vote regarding the election of your next superintendent.
The candidate being presented for your consideration is Rev. James Leman.
I invite you to hold this process in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts and minds as we discern God’s leading for the future of the River Conference. May we continue to trust the Lord’s faithfulness as He raises up leaders to shepherd His people with wisdom, humility, and love.
Additional information can be found on the website put together by your conference office.
Thank you for your commitment to the mission of the Church and for the ways you continue to serve faithfully.
In Christ’s service,
Bishop E. Kenny Martin
JAMES LEMAN
James grew up a missionary kid on an Indian Reservation in eastern Montana. This childhood helped shape his worldview and his desire to see people come to a life-changing knowledge of Jesus. He felt called into full-time pastoral ministry as a freshman in college, but it took another eight years for him to end up in a church setting. He is excited about pushing and challenging people to order their entire lives around Jesus Christ. His heartbeat is connecting those who currently know and passionately worship Christ, and those who are willing to live in authentic community, with those who have not yet had their lives transformed by Jesus. James is also passionate about his family. He’s been married to Abby since 1999. They are blessed with two sons, Sam and JJ.
The River Conference Superintendent Search Committee has vetted, interviewed, and affirmed James Leman as the 2026 Nominee for the next Superintendent of the River Conference. Under of the direction of TRC’s Board of Directors and Bishop Kenny Martin, the Superintendent Search Committee is putting forth James Leman as the nominee. If you have any questions, you can contact anyone on the Superintendent Search Committee.
Respectfully submitted by TRC’s Superintendent Search Committee:
Rick Snodgrass (Chair), Ebenezer Appaigyei, Deb Baggett, Tim Greenawalt, John McGee, Ryan Stoops, Magda Ruano, Jose Segura