The General Board during its executive session on November 18, 2025, approved the recommendation to the 15th General Conference of Dr. James A. Dunn as the General Superintendent nominee for the 2026-2030 quadrennium.
Dr. Dunn, president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University since 2019, served as vice president of The Wesleyan Investment Foundation Church Relations from 2016-2019, executive director of The Wesleyan Church (TWC) Church Multiplication and Discipleship from 2012-2016, general director of TWC Spiritual Formation Department from 2004-2012, and pastoral ministry in Indiana and Oklahoma from 1981-2004.
General Board Vice-Chair Jerry Lumston, Jr., coordinated the General Superintendent search process. Eighty-three General Conference delegates submitted candidate nominations that were ranked in order of total nominations. Four candidates received more than 10 percent of the nominations. One candidate declined the nomination, and two candidates withdrew their names after completing interviews with the executive board.
“We are grateful for God’s faithfulness and guidance throughout the nomination process,” said Reverend Lumston. “We have sensed his leading and confirmation, beginning with the nominations from General Conference delegates, and continuing throughout the entire series of interviews and the validation from the strong vote and support from the General Board. We look forward to the future as Dr. Dunn steps up to join the group of those who have provided admirable leadership for The Wesleyan Church.”
“I have prayed every morning for the nomination process,” said General Superintendent Wayne Schmidt, “and invite you to join with me in praying daily for Dr. Dunn and the other General Conference delegates as we, collectively, prepare our hearts and minds for the decisions to be made next May.”
“Wendy and I have sensed that we needed to be obedient to the leadership of the Holy Spirit prompting us to pray over this possibility beginning in November 2024. We believe God is preparing us for this, albeit torn regarding the prospects of vacating the presidency of Oklahoma Wesleyan University — our alma mater and a community we deeply love,” said Dr. Dunn. “God being our helper, our prayer is that all will pray and join us in discerning the will of our Lord. Also, may we plead together for the Holy Spirit to pour out his Oneness (John 17) over our entire Wesleyan family. As John Wesley personally said to the church as well as in quoting the Apostle Paul: You have one business on earth—to save souls. For this I will spend and be spent.[1] This is the Rally Cry for The Wesleyan Church!”
The General Superintendent election is scheduled for the 15th General Conference Monday morning session on May 18, 2026. Per protocols of “The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church 2022,” nominations from the General Conference bar/floor can be made before an election takes place. The elected General Superintendent for the 2026-2030 quadrennium will be installed during the final General Conference session on May 20, 2026.
Janelle Vernon is the general secretary and executive director of Communication and Administration for The Wesleyan Church.
[1] See “The Works of John Wesley: Sermons III, 71-114” and 2 Corinthians 12:15.
