District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Tim Bias
Bishop Gregory V. Palmer is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Timothy L. Bias as a Conference Superintendent assigned to the Capitol Area North district beginning August 1, 2021. Rev. Bias will follow Rev. Linda Middelberg who will continue to serve as the Executive Assistant to Bishop Gregory V. Palmer.
With 47 years of appointive history, Tim brings to the ministry of superintending an exceptional range of experience in rural and urban pastoral ministry as well as district, conference and denominational leadership. He is a visionary leader, strategic thinker, teacher and author who feels passionately about the importance of developing relationships to further ministry and make disciples for Christ.
Tim has served as the Capitol Area South District Superintendent since 2016 and he continues in that role. He served as General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries in Nashville since 2014. Prior to his position at Discipleship Ministries he was Senior Pastor at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church in the West Ohio Conference. Since 2010, he has been Director of the Appalachian Local Pastors School, a ministry of Red Bird Missionary Conference in southeastern Kentucky, where he has taught preaching, pastoral care, evangelism and theology since 1991. Ordained in the West Virginia Conference, Tim has also served in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference and was the General Board of Discipleship's (now Discipleship Ministries) Director of Proclamation Evangelism from 1995-1999, where he was instrumental in convening the Large Church Initiative. He is also a past recipient of the Harry Denman Evangelism Award from the Foundation for Evangelism.
A graduate of Marshall University, Tim received his Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1980 and his Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in 1991. He was ordained as an Elder in The United Methodist Church in 1981.
Tim is married to Kimberly Raynes and they have two children and three grandchildren.
Rev. Karen Cook, Regional Missional Specialist
Rev. Karen M. Cook has been appointed primary Regional Missional Specialist for the Capitol Area North District effective July 1, 2021. As a part of the team of Regional Missional Specialists, she will continue to develop relationships with pastors and local church leadership in specific geographical regions alongside of District Superintendents. She will work across district lines to build relationships and to share resources and best practices to help every local church thrive as a mission station that reaches people for Jesus Christ and the transformation of the world. Previously she served as Assistant to the Capitol Area North District Superintendent for five years, and as Associate Pastor for the United Methodist Church for All People and the Training Center Director for Community Development for All People.
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Rev. Cook earned her Associate’s Degree in Allied Health Medicine at Columbus State Community College. She also holds a Bachelor’s of Art Degree in Psychology from Capital University and a Master’s of Divinity Degree from the Methodist Theological School. She has served as a Ministerial Intern at St. Luke’s UMC and at Centenary UMC. She was licensed to preach in 2002 and appointed to serve the Hilltop United Methodist Church in the same year. In 2007, Rev. Cook was appointed to serve Crossroads UMC and served that congregation until May 1, 2013.
Karen serves on several committees and task forces related to the Capitol Area North District and the West Ohio Conference. In addition, she was elected to serve as a delegate to the 2016 and 2020 General and Jurisdictional conferences. Rev. Cook also serves as a board member for the General Board of Church and Society for the United Methodist Church.
Karen is married to Broderick Cook, retired from the United States Postal Service, who is a gifted Psalmist and bass guitarist. They are the proud parents of Broderick II (Ricky), Phillip and Aaron.
kcook [at] wocumc.org
Diana has been with the District Office since 2016. She comes to us from Village Chapel UMC in Ashville where she served as Business Manager for 12 years. Diana has a combination of State, Public, and Community Action service as part of her background. Diana currently lives in Dublin and is the proud mother of two children, McKenzie and Tommy and one grandson, Elijah.