INDIANAPOLIS – The 2016 Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church approved the nomination of the Rev. Dr. Frank Beard – delegation chair and lead pastor of Castleton United Methodist Church – as Indiana’s episcopal nominee.

Dr. Beard’s nomination was presented to his fellow clergy during the Clergy Executive Session and to the laity of the Conference during the Laity Session, both of which were held Thursday, June 9. During these meetings members expressed their support for Dr. Beard’s leadership and gave nods to bring the official nomination to the Annual Conference Business Session set for Friday, June 10. 

The delegation tapped Beard as their nominee in the summer of 2015, and their selection received unanimous support from the Conference members during the main business session at the annual meeting June 10 in Indianapolis. 

Bishop Mike Coyner then lead the Conference in prayer for Dr. Beard and his wife Melissa to support them in the process leading up to Jurisdictional Conference set for July 13–16, 2016.

Dr. Beard offered his deep gratitude to the body and stated, “it is my hope that I will always lift up Jesus Christ and represent him well.”

Click here to watch video.