By: Jim Pyatt, WNCC Archivist & Historian

Rev. Frank Ramos

The Rev. Frank Ramos was born in Lares, Puerto Rico. He became a Local Pastor in 1996 and an Associate Member of the WNC Conference in 2005. As a pastor in the WNC Conference Frank has served the following appointments: 1996-2001 Hispanic Community (Vida Nueva); 2001-02 Thomasville: First Associate; 2002-05 Charlotte: Memorial Associate; 2005-07 Conference Director of Hispanic Ministries; 2007-09 Concord: Forest Hill Associate; 2009-11 Hope (East Flat Rock); 2011-17 Avery’s Creek; 2017-18 Asheboro: Brower’s Chapel-Calvary; 2018-20 Adonai Mission (La Luz de Christo); 2020-22 La Luz de Christo and Asheboro: Central Associate; 2022-present Winston-Salem: New Hope.

Frank Ramos has also served on the following conference boards and agencies: 1996-2001 and 2008-12 Committee on Hispanic Ministry (Vice-Chairperson 1999-2000; Chairperson 2000-01); 2012-16 Board of Ordained Ministry; 2018-20 Convener, Hispanic/Latino Ministries, Justice and Reconciliation Team; 2020-present Chair, Church Vitality Team.

We celebrate the ministry of God’s servant Frank Ramos and rejoice in the leadership which he provides in our Annual Conference, especially in the area of Hispanic Ministry.

Rev. Diana Wingeier-Rayo, the first Hispanic/Latina woman to be received into full clergy membership in the WNC Conference.

Raul Adriano, the first known person of Hispanic/Latino heritage to be elected by The WNCC to serve as a Lay Delegate to General Conference.

Rev. Carlos Alberto Rodriguez, a key figure at the Board of Missions Office of The WNCC in 1961.

Rev. Dr. Abraham Kim, the first Asian-American to be elected as a clergy delegate to Jurisdictional Conference from the WNC Conference.

Rev. Karen Miyoshi Kagiyama, the first Asian-American women to be ordained an Elder in the WNCC.

In Muk Kim, the first Asian-American to be elected as a delegate (clergy or lay) to Jurisdictional Conference from the WNC Conference.

Rev. M. B. Lee McCrary, the first woman to become a full clergy member of the Western North Carolina Conference. 

Rev. Dolores Barus Queen, the first woman to serve as District Superintendent in the Western NC Conference.

Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer, the first (and to date, the only) woman to serve as Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference.

Mrs. Jettie Morrison, a key figure in the Women's Society of Christian Service and the integration of The United Methodist Church in 1968.

Bishop L. Scott Allen (May 4, 1918-September 18, 2004), the first (and to date, the only) African-American to serve as Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference.

Mrs. Effie Miller (September 17, 1930-September 1, 2008), a leader in the Western North Carolina Conference and the United Methodist Church, especially with regard to the United Methodist Women.

The Rev. Dr. J. C. Peters (July 10, 1925- July 2, 1998), the first African-American to serve as a District Superintendent in the Western North Carolina Conference.

Mr. Clarence Winchester,  a leader in the North Carolina Conference (Central Jurisdiction) and in the WNC Conference.

Dr. Isaac Miller (September 26, 1920-November 1, 2008), a leader in Higher Education and in the United Methodist Church.