Licensing Class of 2026

Jarrod Blood is serving his first year as pastor of Amboy UMC in Conneaut and Ashtabula First UMC.

Jeff Chapin is serving his second year as pastor of New Moscow UMC in Coshocton, and Trinway and Conesville UMCs.

Kelly Collins is serving her first year as pastor of LeRoy UMC in Westfield Center and Chippewa Church at the Lake UMC.

Julie Haydu is serving her second year as pastor of Lake Brady UMC in Kent.

Jacob McKenzie is serving his second year as pastor of Willard First UMC.

Lindsay Robinson is serving her first year as pastor of Melmore, Faith, and St. Pauls UMCs in Tiffin, Trinity UMC in Republic, and Sycamore UMC.

Anthony Ruth is serving his first year as pastor of Garfield Heights UMC.

Commissioning Class of 2026

Kelly Collins will be commissioned as a provisional Elder. She is in her first year serving as pastor of LeRoy UMC in Westfield Center and Chippewa Church at the Lake UMC.

Collins earned an Exercise and Health Science degree from Alma College and Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies degrees from Methodist Theological School in Ohio.

Jennifer Dyer will be commissioned as a provisional Deacon.

Allan Georgia will be commissioned as a provisional Elder. He is in his second year serving as pastor of the Blessed Trinity Cooperative Parish of Ridgewood and Good Shepherd UMCs in Parma and Pleasant Hills UMC in Middleburg Heights.

Georgia earned a Biblical Studies & English Literature degree from Taylor University, Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies degrees from Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and PhD in Theology (Christianity & Judaism in the Ancient World) from Fordham University.

Associate Member Class of 2026

Michael Ward will be received as an associate member. He is serving his first year at pastor of York UMC. He previously served Poe, Cuyahoga Falls First, Crosspoint, and Malvern/Waynesburg Centenary UMCs.

Ordination Class of 2026

Michael Farmer will be ordained an Elder. He is serving his second year as pastor of Family of Faith and South Arlington UMCs in Akron. He is also serving in extension ministry part-time as property manager for the East Ohio Conference. He previously served Bolton and The Vine UMCs in Alliance, Canton Crossroads UMC, and in extension ministry as managing director of Canton For All People.

Farmer earned a Bachelor of Biology from Mount Union College and a Master of Divinity from Methodist Theological School in Ohio.