The Reverend Dr. Debra Wallace-Padgett was elected a Bishop of the United Methodist Church at the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference. She served as the episcopal leader in the North Alabama Conference from 2012-2024, with the addition of the Holston Conference on September 1, 2021. On September 1, 2024, Bishop Wallace-Padgett began her new assignment in the Holston Conference of the Southeastern Jurisdiction and the West Virginia Conference of the Northeastern Jurisdiction.
At the time of her election, she was the lead pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. During her tenure St. Luke grew in membership, strengthened its infrastructure, built a $4.5 million Ministry Life Center, and launched a multi-cultural worship service. Prior to then, Wallace-Padgett served six years as Prestonsburg District Superintendent, three years as pastor of Paris First UMC,11 years on staff at Lexington First UMC, and two years as Director of Christian Education at Lexington Epworth UMC. She also provided leadership in a variety of roles in the Kentucky Annual Conference, Southeastern Jurisdiction, and General Church.
Bishop Wallace-Padgett was elected President of the World Methodist Council in Gothenburg, Sweden, on August 14, 2024. She has also served as President of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (2012-2016), a member of the Connectional Table (2012-2016), a member of the Commission on a Way Forward (2017-2019), and on the Council of Bishops Executive Committee (2014-2020), as well as chair of the Standing Committee on Evangelism for the World Methodist Council (2016-2024).
She is a graduate of Berea College (Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education), Scarritt College and Graduate School (Master of Arts in Christian Education), Lexington Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity), and Asbury Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry).
Bishop Wallace-Padgett is married to Reverend Lee Padgett, a retired deacon in the United Methodist Church. They are the parents of two adult children, Leanndra Thompson (Alexander) and Andrew Padgett, and have two granddaughters (Crindalyn and Raylena Thompson).