We're excited to welcome Rev. Mel Bishira as the new Senior Pastor of FUMC Bedford this Sunday, July 6. Pastor Mel and his family are coming to us from St. Luke United Methodist Church in Haltom City, where he served from 2012 until his retirement earlier this summer. Rev. Bishira graduated from Grand Canyon University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts/science degree. In 1988, he graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Religious Education and Marriage and Family Counseling. In 1999, he graduated from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University with a Master of Divinity.

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In addition to his service at St. Luke UMC, Rev. Bishara served 10 years as senior pastor of Saginaw United Methodist Church, Saginaw, Texas. From 1999 to 2002, he served as senior pastor of the First UMC in Palmer, Texas. Rev. Bishara served as associate pastor in charge of missions and evangelism at First UMC in Hurst, Texas from 1994 to 1999. He was on the staff at Arlington Heights United Methodist Church 1992 to 1994, and on the staff First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth 1985 to 1992. 

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Beyond the local church, Rev. Bishara has served on the Board of Ordained Ministry and Conference Relations Committee of the Central Texas Annual Conference. Currently, he is serving as Board Member of Global Hands of Healings Inc. Rev. Bishara served on the board of Liberation Community, Inc. that advocates for affordable housing for low-income families, and as a Northside Inter Church Agency board member. Rev. Bishara has been a member of the Saginaw Area Chamber of Commerce where he was awarded 2010 Citizen of the Year. He organized and established two local missions, Mission Central and Community Link Mission, serving the poor and needy in Tarrant County. Rev. Bishara is an advocate of justice and peace nationally and internationally working alongside Muslims,Christians, and Jews through dialogue and hands-on projects bringing people together.

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Mel and his wife, Susan, live in Benbrook, Texas. They have two wonderful adult children, Nate and Max. Mel enjoys traveling, reading, and golfing.

Mel’s Motto: “Let’s do whatever it takes to make our world a better place.”