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FIRELANDS DISTRICT

District Superintendent

Rev. Néstor Nazario served four years as pastor of Hope United Methodist Church which was birthed out of the merger of Bedford UMC, Maple Heights UMC, and Hathaway UMC before being appointed to the Cabinet. In 2022 his responsibilities were expanded to include serving as superintendent of the Firelands District in addition to serving as Mid-Ohio District superintendent.

Nazario’s first East Ohio Conference appointment was to Christ Community United Methodist Church (North Coast District) in 1985. In 1988, he became a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. During 20 years in the Navy, he served side-by-side with clergy from different faith traditions providing him with an appreciation and respect for people of other faith groups and religions. After retiring from the Navy in 2008, he returned to the local church, serving five years as pastor to both Christ UMC and First Hispanic UMC (North Coast District), before his appointment to Hope UMC in Bedford.

Nazario earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico, a Master of Divinity from the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico, and a Masters in Counselor Education from Mississippi State University.

He is the father of two adult children.