The Bethel–Emmanuel Charge is pleased to welcome Rev. Betty Jo Sims as our new pastor beginning July 1st.

Rev. Sims was born in Radford, Virginia, and grew up in Statesville, North Carolina. She brings a unique blend of academic, professional, and ministry experience to our congregations. She holds degrees and certifications in mathematics, art, nonprofit management, and divinity studies, with educational experiences at East Carolina University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, and Duke University.

Before entering pastoral ministry, Betty Jo enjoyed an extensive career in Information Technology and later worked in nonprofit human resources across the Richmond area.

A lifelong Methodist, Rev. Sims answered a call to ministry after many years of church leadership and service. She became a Certified Lay Speaker in 2000, entered the candidacy process in 2002, and was appointed as a Lay Supply pastor in 2005. Since then, she has faithfully served several congregations, including Mizpah United Methodist Church, McKendree United Methodist Church, and most recently Warsaw United Methodist Church.

Rev. Sims will be moving from the Warsaw parsonage into the Bethel–Emmanuel Charge parsonage as she begins her new appointment. When not residing at the parsonage, her permanent home is in Sandston, Virginia, where she lives with her son, Dana.

Rev. Sims enjoys traveling, reading, painting, crafts, cooking, and dining out. She has shared that she is looking forward to joining the Bethel and Emmanuel congregations and getting to know the community. We are excited to welcome her and begin this new chapter together.