Rev. Dr. Bob Bushong

Dr. Bob Bushong was appointed District Superintendent to the East Central District effective July 2015. He is a graduate of Stetson University and Duke Divinity School. Bob has served as a pastor in the East Central (formerly Orlando) District since 1984, and for fifteen years as the Senior Pastor of First UMC, Winter Park.  He also was the founding pastor of Peace UMC in Hunter's Creek, where he served for nine years, and an Associate Pastor at First UMC, Orlando and Christ UMC, Ft. Lauderdale.

Before responding to his call to ordained ministry, Bob received a Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University and worked as a counselor for troubled youth and families at Apalachee Community Mental Health Center in Tallahassee and the Florida United Methodist Children's Home.  He also earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Bob has been married to Jeanne for forty-one years and they have two adult children and four grandchildren.

In addition to his local church experience, Bob has chaired the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and the Committee on Episcopacy and is a member of the Bishop's Strategic Leadership Team.  He has thoroughly enjoyed serving as a pastor of local churches as well as engaging in various local and out of country mission opportunities.

Bob has a deep appreciation for the variety of churches and approaches to ministry in the East Central District, and is excited about working together with clergy and laity in the district to continue our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.