Bishop David Graves became the episcopal leader for the new Kentucky-Tennessee Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church in 2024. He serves the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference, the Central Appalachian Missionary Conference, and the Kentucky Conference. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, he graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Candler School of Theology at Emory University with a Master of Divinity.

He has been an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church for over 35 years and has pastored many churches, served as a district superintendent, and as dean of a cabinet. He previously served as episcopal leader of the Alabama West-Florida Conference and the South Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church. 

During his first 100 days as our episcopal leader, Bishop Graves traveled all around our conference and listened to clergy and laity in every district. The five Discipleship Priorities are what he heard us express as our desired focus for the conference.

Bishop David Graves’ passion is sharing Jesus, seeing the overlooked, joining God in transforming lives, and changing the world one person at a time. 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.

Sharon Karamoko is a native of Kankakee, Illinois, with family roots grounded in Old Hickory, Tennessee.  She is a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother. She has a faith journey that is ecumenical, although her family’s faith began in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME).

In 1995, she became a member of the United Methodist church (Good Samaritan) in Memphis. Sharon has a Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary. She was ordained a Deacon in 1997 and then an Elder in 2000 in the Legacy Memphis Conference.  She has served the United Methodist Church faithfully as a pastor in rural, urban, cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments, as well as a District Superintendent. She is a woman of faith who believes in the wonder-working power of the Holy Spirit.

The scripture that keeps her spiritually grounded is Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Rev. Marie C. King is an ordained deacon in full connection and serves as the Senior Pastor of Mt. Pisgah UMC in Nashville, Tennessee. Rev. King completed training as a Parish Nurse/Faith Community Nurse with Vanderbilt University, earned her Master of Divinity degree through Central Theological Seminary, and met the educational requirements for M.Div with United Theological Seminary.

Rev. King has served bi-vocationally in healthcare settings and the local church for many years. Rev. King serves as chaplain for the Mental Health and Well-Being Guide Team, member of the Board of Directors for ENCORE Ministries (a ministry by, with, and for older adults), serves on the Archives and History Committee, and is a member of the Suicide Prevention in the African American Faith Coalition Committee.

Rev. King finds joy in playing the piano and immersing herself in the soothing sounds of jazz, blues, and classical music.

Rev. Amanda Crice is currently serving Martin First United Methodist Church in Martin, Tennessee. With nearly two decades of ministry experience, Amanda has walked alongside young people and adults as they discover their gifts and deepen their spiritual lives. A graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, she’s passionate about nurturing authentic community, equipping lay leadership, and guiding institutions through meaningful change.

Amanda is a trained spiritual director and also serves on multiple boards, including the Weakley County Reconciliation Project, We Care Ministry, and the University of Tennessee-Martin Wesley Foundation.

She lives in Martin with her husband, Justin, and their two cats, and they are excited to be home study approved in the adoption process through Hannah's Hope.

Rev. Carlos Uroza, born in Mexico City, moved to Nashville in 2002 and has since dedicated his life to ministry and community work, known for bringing people together across cultures to foster unity and belonging. After earning his GED, a B.S. in Culinary Management from the Art Institute, and a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt Divinity School, he became the first Hispanic Elder ordained in the Tennessee Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2018.

He currently pastors Woodbine United Methodist Church, a vibrant, multiethnic, bilingual congregation committed to discipleship and community transformation, and serves as the Hispanic Ministry Partner for The Vine UMC. Rev. Uroza also co-founded Cosecha Community Development, which connects neighbors through language classes, community markets, and gardens along the Nolensville Road corridor.

He lives in Nashville with his wife, Dr. Sarah Uroza, a Lipscomb University School of Pharmacy faculty member, and their son Luke.