Three new superintendents were announced on the USA/Canada Region this week. Jeffery Barker and Daren Pitcher were elected to the Metro New York and Central California districts, respectively, and Althea Taylor was appointed superintendent of the Hawaii Pacific District.

Jeffery Barker elected Metro New York District superintendent

Jeffery Barker was elected superintendent of the Metro New York District 19 April 2024. Barker most recently served as the Metro New York District’s director of Clergy and Congregational Life.
Barker’s assignment will be effective 19 May 2024. He will replace Samuel Vassel, who has served the Metro New York District since 2018.

Barker attended Eastern Nazarene College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in ministry in 1993. He holds a Master's of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary and a Master's of Sacred Theology from Boston University. 

He served as a pastor at Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene in Maine from 1997 to 2002, Quincy Bethel Church of the Nazarene in Massachusetts from 2007 to 2014, and The Resurrection Church of the Nazarene in New York City from 2018 to 2022.

During his time in Massachusetts, Jeff served as a professor in the department of Religion and Philosophy at Eastern Nazarene College and as campus chaplain. His wife, Stacy Barker, was a professor in the Social Work department.

Jeffery and his wife, Stacy, have two children. They currently reside in Dexter, Maine.

Daren Pitcher elected Central California District superintendent

Daren Pitcher was elected superintendent of the Central California District on 19 April 2024. He currently serves as pastor of El Morro Church of the Nazarene in Los Osos, California.

Pitcher’s assignment will be effective 19 May 2024. He will replace Rob Songer, who is retiring after leading the Central California District since 2010.

Pitcher earned his associate’s degree from Point Loma Nazarene College (now University) in 1988 and his bachelor’s degree in secondary teaching from Azusa Pacific University in 1995.

As a minister in California for 35 years, Jeff served served on staff at Racho Cucamonga Highland Avenue Community Church of the Nazarene, Pismo Beach New Life Community Church of the Nazarene, Ontario First Church of the Nazarene, and Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene in Bakersfield.

In 2001, he became the pastor of El Cajon Rancho Hill Community Church of the Nazarene, where served until 2005. He pastored Ridgeview Church of the Nazarene in Bakersfield from 2005 to 2018, when he took his current pastorate at El Morro Church of the Nazarene.
He and his wife, Amy, currently reside in Morro Bay, California.

Althea Taylor appointed superintendent of Hawaii Pacific District

Althea Taylor was appointed superintendent of Hawaii Pacific District on 25 April 2024. Taylor currently serves as the director of compassion, justice, and immigration for the Metro New York District.

The appointment was made by General Superintendent Christian Sarmiento in consultation with the Hawaii Pacific District Advisory Council and the Board of General Superintendents. This action was taken following the retirement of District Superintendent Rick Powers at the 2024 district assembly, which closed without electing a successor. Taylor’s appointment is effective 1 May 2024.

Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a Master of Science in managing technology from New York University - Polytechnic School of Engineering. In addition, she holds a Master's of Divinity from Howard University, and is in the process of earning a Doctorate of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary.

She became an ordained minister in 2009 and has served as a minister at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene from 2001 to 2007 and from 2013 to 2020. She served the USA/Canada Region as Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator from 2008 to 2012. In 2020, she joined the Metro New York District office staff, where she has served as the director of compassion, justice, and immigration since.