About Us

The Northwest Texas District is comprised of 10 churches in the Eighth Episcopal District. The Presiding Elder is Rev. Dr. Linda R. Barnett appointed by Presiding Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III. For over 100 years, churches in the Northwest District have provided relevant, Bible-based worship experiences and community outreach services for families with various needs.

OUR PRESIDING ELDER

Rev. Dr. Linda Barnett

Presiding Elder Linda Barnett is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. Her service within the CME church include/have included conference coordinator, Christian Education director, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Children’s Church Coordinator, Praise and Drill Team Coordinator, Fort Worth District Director of Young Adult Work, President of Fort Worth District Board of Christian Education, Dallas/Fort Worth Region Director of Young Adult Work and Christian Education, ordained preacher and pastor.

Presiding Elder Barnett was ordained a deacon under the leadership of Retired Senior Bishop Marshall Gilmore in 2003. Her first appointment was to Mount Pisgah CME Church in Jacksboro, Texas. In 2004 she was ordained Elder. Retired Bishop Marshall Gilmore appointed her to Hughes Chapel CME Church in 2005. As a trailblazer and humble servant of God, she was the first female pastor appointed to Hughes Chapel CME Church. She was later admitted into Full Connection under the leadership of Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham and served as pastor at Benson Chapel CME Church under the leadership of Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III. She currently presides over the Northwest Texas District under the leadership of Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III, Presiding Prelate, Eighth Episcopal District.

Presiding Elder Barnett graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy and has been an occupational therapist 25 years with a pediatric specialization for 17 years. She is currently Assistant Clinical Professor at Texas Woman’s University Institute of Health Sciences, Dallas, Texas. She is a graduate of Brite Divinity School on the campus of Texas Christian University where she received a Master of Arts in Christian Service with a concentration in Black Church Studies and Religious Education. In 2018 she received her Doctor of Occupational Therapy graduating Summa Cum Laude from Texas Woman’s University. She is a grateful mother of three children, Kayla, Matthew and Kaitlyn, and published author of Nuggets of Hope – Inspirations for the Heart. One of her scriptures of encouragement is “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31, KJV