Featured Preachers
Annual Conference 2026
Bishop David Graves
Bishop of the Kentucky-Tennessee Episcopal Area
About Bishop David Graves
Bishop David Graves became the episcopal leader for the new Kentucky-Tennessee Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church on September 1, 2024. In that role, he serves the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, the Central Appalachian Missionary Conference, and the Kentucky Conference.
He previously served as episcopal leader of the Alabama West-Florida Conference and the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Bishop David Graves’ passion is sharing Jesus, seeing the overlooked, joining God in transforming lives, and changing the world one person at a time. His study of leadership permeates all his work as a pastor, district superintendent and bishop. As a pastor, Bishop Graves led a small-membership church to become a medium-sized congregation and later a medium-sized church to become a large-membership congregation. He has a heart and hands for missions and has led several short-term (local, national, and international) mission teams. The Acts 1:8 model for missions came alive in the churches he has served. These churches raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for mission work, plus trained laity in hands-on ministry.
As a district superintendent, Bishop Graves implemented a district strategy that empowered both clergy and laity with leadership tools for effective and vital ministry. This strategy revitalized several churches that experienced growth in worship attendance and membership; Sunday School and small group discipleship; missional giving and professions of faith. On Christmas Eve 2014, through a district offering, the Kingsport District generously gave more $230,000 for the District Partnership with Giru, South Sudan.
Prior to being elected a bishop in 2016, Bishop Graves served as the Senior Pastor of Church Street United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Before that, he served six years as the district superintendent for the Kingsport District of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 2011 and 2012, he served as Dean of the Cabinet. He has been an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church for over 35 years and previously served as Senior Pastor of Ooltewah United Methodist Church, a large-membership church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for 11 years. Prior, he served as pastor of two Kingsport area churches, St. Matthew and Mountain View United Methodist. He was on staff and was given his first appointment at Hixson United Methodist Church in the Chattanooga area where he served for 11 years.
Bishop Graves is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, with a Master of Divinity.
He and his wife Nancy have two children, Casey and Gregg. Casey is married to her husband Bryan, and they reside in Kingsport with their son Brooks and daughter Lucy. Gregg resides in Chattanooga.
Janice McCallen
Lay Leader of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference
About Janice McCallen
Mrs. Janice McCallen currently serves as the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference Lay Leader and is a member of St. Paul UMC in Lakeland, TN. She is a lifelong United Methodist and grew up in the church – from children’s programs to youth fellowship to adult mission and ministries – there has never been a time when she was not part of the church.
At St. Paul, she teaches Sunday School, serves on several committees and is a member of the chancel and handbell choirs. She previously served as the legacy Memphis Conference Lay Leader, along with District Lay Leader roles in the McKendree, Asbury and Metro districts. Janice has given generously of her time, spiritual leadership, and experience with her service on the districting team. Through this work and her service on the Connectional Table, Janice has helped us to discover our better selves and step courageously into the future.
Her professional work is serving as the Senior Meeting Planner with Smith+Nephew, which involves planning and executing medical education events and advisory councils for orthopedic surgeons. She has one son, a daughter-in-law and two grandsons that she adores.
When Janice is not busy with church and corporate work, she enjoys attending cardio and strength training classes, walking, swimming, traveling, as well as spending time with family and friends.
Bishop Harry L. Seawright
Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
About Bishop Harry L. Seawright
Bishop Harry L. Seawright serves as the 133rd elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. His election marked a historic moment during the church’s 50th Quadrennial General Conference as he became only the second bishop to be elected on the first ballot.
On December 12, 2025, he was appointed by the Council of Bishops to the Second Episcopal District to serve as the Presiding Prelate over five Annual Conferences: Baltimore, Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, and Western North Carolina. He also serves as Chair of the AME Commission on Christian Education. From 2019 to 2020, he faithfully led the denomination as President of the Council of Bishops.
From 2016 to 2024, Bishop Seawright served as Presiding Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District (the State of Alabama). On August 28, 2024, during the 52nd Quadrennial Session of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio, he received his Episcopal assignment as Presiding Prelate of the Thirteenth Episcopal District (the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the State of Tennessee).
Born in Swansea, South Carolina, Bishop Seawright is the youngest child of the late Joe Nathan and Mary L. Seawright. A fourth-generation AME, his faith was deeply nurtured at Prodigal AME Church in Swansea, South Carolina. His humble beginnings and spiritual foundation continue to illuminate and sustain his lifelong commitment to faith and service.
Bishop Seawright earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. He received the Master of Divinity degree from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C., where he was honored with the award for “Student Most Likely to Excel in Pastoral Ministry.” He earned the Doctor of Ministry degree from Howard University and was named “Doctor of Ministry Student of the Year” for his exceptional doctoral project. He has received numerous additional honors, including participating in the University of Oxford Roundtable in Oxford, England.
Throughout his ministerial journey, Bishop Seawright was admitted to the Central Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District by the late Bishop Frank Madison Reid, II, and appointed to serve as Interim Pastor of St. Stephen AME Church in St. Matthews, South Carolina. He was ordained an Itinerant Deacon by the late Bishop Henry Wendell Murph and an Itinerant Elder by the late Bishop John Hurst Adams. Over a distinguished pastoral career spanning 35 years, he served congregations at Payne Memorial AME Church in Jessup, Maryland; Hemingway Temple AME Church in Washington, D.C.; and Union Bethel AME Church in Brandywine and Temple Hills, Maryland.
Bishop Seawright is the author of More Than Bricks and Mortar: Building a Church Without Losing Your Mind and Don’t Faint: Help for Hurting Pastors and Their Families. His practical and transparent writings continue to encourage, guide, and strengthen pastors, leaders, and congregations.
In addition to his pastoral and Episcopal leadership, Bishop Seawright has served the church and broader community in numerous capacities, including the AME International Commission on Economic Development, the AME International Health Commission, Second Vice President of the Trustee Board at Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center, the Church Mutual Insurance African American Leaders Advisory Committee, and the AstraZeneca U.S. Health Equity Advisory Council. In 2018, he was inducted into Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
As an entrepreneur, Bishop Seawright is the founder and co-owner of WeKleen, Inc., HLS Consulting, Trinity Group, and Prestigious Property Management. He continues to apply his business expertise to advance community development and promote positive societal change.
Bishop Seawright is married to the former Sherita Gayle Moon. They are the proud parents of Ms. Shari Nicole and the Reverend Harry Mathew Seawright, and the loving grandparents of Minister Cameron Isaiah Seawright.
Rev. Dr. Deborah Smith
Metro District Superintendent
About Rev. Dr. Deborah Smith
Reverend Dr. Deborah B. Smith, a retired ordained Elder of the Tennessee and Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church, served as the Metro District Superintendent in Fayette, Tipton, and Shelby Counties of the Memphis Conference and the Tennessee Western-Kentucky Conference.
Deborah served in pastoral roles at Centenary United Methodist Church, Germantown United Methodist Church in the TWK, and Bethany United Methodist Church in the New Orleans District of the Louisiana Conference. Dr. Smith recently completed her tenure as the Coordinator of Worship for 2023 Annual Conference of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference.
Dr. Smith has been recently recognized by: Memphis Theological Seminary as the Dr. Henry Logan Starks Award for Distinguished Servant Award, and the Shelby County Board of Commissioners with a Special Resolution Honoring her service through ministry. Dr. Smith was also honored as one of the 12 Outstanding Women in Ministry by the Memphis Inter-Denominational Fellowship, Inc., and featured in the publication, The Called: How Can They Hear Without a Preacher?
Dr. Smith’s primary goal in ministry is to make disciples of Jesus Christ while encouraging and ministering to the needs of others, through outreach programs designed to: feed the hungry, clothe those in need, and provide services that support and empower individuals to tend to their basic needs. She has led local and international mission teams and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ in various parts of Africa and the Ukraine.
Reverend Dr. Deborah B. Smith holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Curriculum and Instruction and Curriculum Theory from Louisiana State University, a Master of Education Degree with a concentration in curriculum and instruction and reading specialist certification from the University of New Orleans, and the Bachelors of Arts Degree in Humanities from LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, Tennessee.
Dr. Smith and her late husband, Eddie Jr., have three adult children and four grandchildren.
(Deborah’s daughters, Kasia and Kimberly, may be present)
(In case grandchildren are present: Kaleb, Kyle, Cody, and Nola.)
Deborah enjoys traveling, reading, listening to gospel music, spending time, and visiting with her children, grandchildren and family. Dr. Smith is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
It has been a personal joy for me to serve with Dr. Smith on the Cabinet. She brings a deep wisdom, candid conversation, and friendship that we all respect and appreciate.