Appointed Leaders
Assistant Superintendent
The Assistant Superintendent serves as an executive superintendent who focuses on conference operations, property related issues, legal issues, financial advancement for local churches, and serves on the conference administrative team.
Rev. Heather Baker Utley
Assistant Superintendent
Rev. Heather Baker Utley has served in church and non-profit ministry for over 20 years. Born in the Buckeye state (O-H), she’s a graduate of Taylor University and Seattle Pacific Seminary (MDiv), which included a semester at Daystar University (Kenya). Previous ministry positions include Communications Director at Youth Dynamics, Family Ministries Pastor at Arlington Free Methodist Church and Seattle’s First Free Methodist Church in Washington, and Church Planter/Pastor at Tapestry Church in San Antonio. She’s also worked in communications at the Free Methodist Church USA and Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy. She began as Assistant Superintendent of The River Conference in February 2025 and also serves on the Teaching and Communications Team at The Park Community Church in San Antonio. Heather is married to Clay, our conference youth ministry advocate, and they have two middle school boys.
Appointed Leaders
District Superintendents
District Superintendents work in concert with the Conference Superintendent to implement the missional objectives of the conference. They lead the Life-Giving Leadership learning communities and assist local churches, leaders, and BOA’s with administrative and organizational structures. District Superintendents regularly encourage and counsel pastors, planters, and lay leaders in their districts.
Arizona District
Rev. Julie Gray
Arizona District Superintendent
Julie Gray has a life-long love for the Church, and a passion for the Bride of Christ to be a healthy instrument of transformation in the world. Her 30+ years of ministry in diverse and multi-cultural churches have expanded that passion to include people of every language, nation, tribe and race that will be gathered around the throne of God. Her education includes time at Central Christian College of Kansas, Seattle Pacific University, Fuller Theological Seminary, Free Methodist Ordination coursework, and a Certificate in Spiritual Transformation from the Transforming Center, in Wheaton, IL. Julie is currently Sr. Pastor at Phoenix Life Church, married to Marvin for 32 years, and loves to spend time visiting her kids and grandkids scattered across the country.
Boise District
John McGee
Boise District Superintendent
John McGee serves on the Board of the River Conference after recently serving many years on the MAC. He serves as the Local Leader for the Boise area and most recently as the Coordinator of the MEG Board. John was a delegate to the General Conference in 2019 and 2023. John serves Deer Flat Church on the Finance Committee where he spent 6 years as a member of the Board. John is involved with community organizations such as Love Caldwell and the Downtown Caldwell Organization. He served on the Board of the 2009 International Special Olympics and served his alma mater, the College of Idaho, as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He also served in the Idaho State Legislature from 2005 to 2011 as the youngest member of the Senate. He also served on the Caldwell City Council for 4 years. He and his wife, Hanna, live in Caldwell, Idaho with their two children, Madalyn and Maxwell.
Colorado District
Rev. Ebenezer Appiagyei
Colorado District Superintendent
North Texas District
Rev. Tim Greenawalt
North Texas District Superintendent
Timothy Greenawalt, has been in ministry for 43 years. He served as pastor in San Antonio, Texas for 15 years before moving to Rockwall in 1996. He is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary and enjoys coaching soccer and playing his guitar. Pastor Tim has been married to his ministry partner and wife, Talena, for 46 years. They have three adult children and eight grandchildren.
South Texas District
Rev. Marianne Peña
South Texas District Superintendent
Marianne grew up in Miami in a pastoral home, where her discipleship began. Throughout her younger years she served her home church in many capacities including youth pastor and worship leader. In 2014, she and her husband, William, became lead pastors of New Vision Church in Hialeah, FL. Over their eight years as lead pastors, they helped develop leaders and a thriving bilingual ministry. In 2022, she moved to Spring, Texas with Will and their three boys to plant Essential Life Church. Marianne’s heart is to encourage others to grow in discipleship and reach their God potential. Marianne holds an MA in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University and a Graduate Certificate in Discipleship & Spiritual Formation from Wesley Biblical Seminary. She also serves as the Co-Director of the Conexion Latina.
Ella habla español.
Rev. Will Peña
South Texas District Superintendent
William Peña, originally from Santiago, Dominican Republic, holds a BA in Physical Therapy from PUCMM. After relocating to Miami, Florida in 2006, he immersed himself in various roles within the church, serving as a worship leader, youth pastor, and eventually becoming a senior pastor. In 2022 he ventured to Houston, TX to plant Essential Life Church alongside his wife Marianne and their three boys. Today, William dedicates his time to coaching younger pastors and church planters while also contributing to Conexión Latina of the FMC.
El habla español.
Spokane District
Rev. James Leman
Spokane District Superintendent
