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WEST PLAINS DISTRICT

District Superintendent

Rev. Néstor Nazario is superintendent of the West Plains District. He was appointed to serve on the Cabinet by Bishop Tracy S. Malone effective July 1, 2017. Prior to being appointed superintendent, 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.

"Néstor is a capable administrator and brings the experience of serving in a variety of ministry contexts,” said Bishop Malone.  “He has successfully merged congregations and has a deep commitment to social justice ministry.  He brings a deep faith, a love for people, and a passion for the church.”

Nazario’s first East Ohio Conference appointment was to Christ Community United Methodist Church 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, before his appointment to Hope UMC in Bedford.

Nazario held many leadership positions across the Conference including serving on the East Ohio Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, the Commission on Religion and Race, and on the Church and Society Committee prior to being appointed a district superintendent.

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.