Biography-Bishop Alfred Wesley Gwinn, Jr.
- Pastored rural, town, inner city, and urban congregations, as well as an African-American congregation.
- Last appointment was as Senior Pastor of Lexington First Church
(mother of Kentucky Methodism). After his arrival in 2000, First Church purchased
a 2nd campus of 11 acres and one building in the fastest growing part
of the city. In 2002, First Church experienced the highest worship attendance
in its history and in 2003, experienced an 11.5% increase over that
former record. First Church led the conference in mission giving
in 2002.
- During his 10-year tenure at Lexington Centenary, he led the
congregation through relocation and the building of an $11 million facility.
Worship attendance more than doubled and became the largest in the conference
(1400+). In addition, the church parented a new multicultural congregation,
developed an ongoing ministry partnership with a congregation in Londrina,
Brazil, and brought an African-American pastor on staff, the first in the conference
to serve a predominately-white congregation.
- Served as Associate Director of the Conference Council on Ministries.
- Served as Lexington District Superintendent (during which time he started four new churches, including a Korean congregation, encouraged two existing congregations in their development of Spanish-speaking services and served one year as Dean of the Cabinet)
- Chaired the Board of Ordained Ministry (1996-2004)
- Chaired the Committee on New Church Starts
- Trustee of Methodist Wesley Village, Kentucky UM Foundation, and Kentucky Wesleyan College (for 14 years)
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