Cabinet Announcement - Rev. Dr. Ricky Sanderford
Bishop Robert Schnase of the Rio Texas Conference announces the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Ricky Sanderford to the cabinet. Ricky will serve as district superintendent of the Hill Country and West Districts.
Bishop states, “Ricky Sanderford is respected, trusted, and appreciated by his clergy colleagues. He has served congregations across the conference with effectiveness, including four of our largest churches. He knows the West and Hill Country Districts well, and will bring fresh perspectives to the cabinet. I look forward to working with him.”
Ricky was raised on a family ranch in Lampasas County and graduated from Lampasas High School in 1977. He graduated from The University of Texas in 1984 with a BA in sociology and received his Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at SMU in 1988. In 2011, Ricky received his doctorate from Wesley Theology Seminary in Washington D.C. with a focus on missional evangelism and church leadership. Ricky has served nine churches in seven appointments throughout the Rio Texas Conference in over 34 years under appointment. In addition, he spent 12 years on the Board of Ordained Ministry and various district and conference committees and boards.
The current district superintendent Andy Smith writes, “I am so excited to welcome Ricky to the West and Hill Country districts! I know that the people and churches will love his compassion and wisdom, and his big heart. He will fit right in to Hill Country and West Texas life, and our churches and districts will flourish under his leadership.”
Ricky married his high school sweetheart, Kay. They have been married for over 43 years and have three adult children – January, Stefani, and Samuel; along with seven grandchildren. “If I had known how much fun grandchildren are I would have had them first! I am excited to have the opportunity to develop relationships with the pastors and churches of these two wonderful districts and together move forward joining God on mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. I am grateful to God and Bishop Schnase for this opportunity to serve the United Methodist Church in the role of district superintendent.”