United Methodists Announce New Clergy Appointments in North Alabama

Bishop Jonathan Holston assigns pastors to over two dozen churches in the region.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:56pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic church object such as a cross or pew repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the vibrant energy and pop art aesthetic of the United Methodist Church's latest clergy appointments in North Alabama.The United Methodist Church's ongoing clergy appointments reflect the evolving landscape of congregations in North Alabama, including the lingering impact of a dramatic 2023 church split.Hoover Today

The United Methodist Church's North Alabama Conference has announced new clergy appointments for more than two dozen churches, including the assignment of Rev. Dr. Kanunu Emmanuel Busambwa as the new pastor of Pell City First United Methodist Church. Busambwa, who grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has served as a United Methodist minister in Alabama for over two decades, will take over the Pell City church effective July 1. The appointments were announced on Sunday and will be finalized at the annual meeting of the North Alabama Conference later this month.

Why it matters

Clergy appointments are an important part of the United Methodist Church's structure, as the bishop works with district superintendents and local church committees to ensure churches are 'positioned to be on the leading edge of ministry.' This latest round of appointments reflects the ongoing evolution of United Methodist congregations in North Alabama, including the continued fallout from a dramatic church split at Pell City First UMC three years ago.

The details

Among the key appointments, Rev. Dr. Kanunu Emmanuel Busambwa, who has served as a United Methodist minister in Alabama for over 20 years, will become the new pastor of Pell City First United Methodist Church. Busambwa, who grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has previously served at churches in Alexander City, Birmingham, and Harvest. He will be taking over the Pell City church, which is still recovering from a 2023 vote where 65% of the then-800-member congregation voted to leave the denomination, falling just short of the two-thirds majority needed. The current pastor, Rev. Rachel Gonia, will be moving to become an associate pastor at Riverchase United Methodist Church in Hoover.

  • The new clergy appointments were announced in churches on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • The appointments will be finalized at the annual meeting of the North Alabama Conference, set for May 28-31, 2026 in Birmingham.

The players

Bishop Jonathan Holston

The bishop who oversees United Methodist churches in Alabama and announced the new clergy appointments.

Rev. Dr. Kanunu Emmanuel Busambwa

A United Methodist minister from the Democratic Republic of Congo who has served in Alabama for over two decades and will become the new pastor of Pell City First United Methodist Church.

Rev. Rachel Gonia

The current pastor of Pell City First United Methodist Church, who will be moving to become an associate pastor at Riverchase United Methodist Church in Hoover.

Rev. Wes Savage

The former associate minister at Pell City First United Methodist Church, who became the pastor of the new congregation called New Life after the 2023 church split.

Pell City First United Methodist Church

A church that experienced a dramatic split three years ago, with about 200 members leaving to form a new congregation called New Life.

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What they’re saying

“Appointments should be seen as formational opportunities rather than merely staffing decisions. Each step in the appointment-making process, every phone call, every meeting, every moment of prayer, reflects our shared commitment to ensure that clergy and local churches are positioned to be on the leading edge of ministry.”

— Bishop Jonathan Holston

What’s next

The clergy appointments announced on Sunday will be finalized at the annual meeting of the North Alabama Conference, set for May 28-31, 2026 at Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham.

The takeaway

This latest round of clergy appointments in North Alabama highlights the ongoing evolution of United Methodist congregations in the region, including the continued impact of the dramatic 2023 split at Pell City First UMC. The assignments reflect the bishop's goal of positioning churches and clergy for effective ministry, even as some congregations navigate challenging transitions.