Biography
Sharon Ragland has served as the Central East District Superintendent (Desert Southwest Conference) since July, 2004. Within her position, she supervises 41 churches/fellowships and 60 pastors.
The Central East district is defined within the area east of Central Ave. in Phoenix, south of Show Low and north of Casa Grande.
Sharon served as Senior Pastor of Dove of the Desert United Methodist Church in Glendale from 2002-2004, at First UMC Tucson (1998-2002) and St. Paul's UMC (1994-1998) in Tucson. Sharon is a graduate of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, and was ordained an elder in the Wisconsin Conference of the UMC in 1994.
Sharon is married to Art. They have two grown children, Julie (29) and David (25). Julie lives in Tucson with her husband, Christian and Sharon & Art's first grandchild, Isaiah (born 9/5/05). David, was a student at Berklee College of Music in Boston. David and his wife, Michelle were married April 2007 and now live in Tucson.
Sharon has held many positions in our Conference, has led numerous retreats for women, and has developed and led many Bible studies. Sharon believes that her primary role as a minister of the gospel is to work with God for the healing of the world. In her role as superintendent, she works to help pastors and laity be strong and passionate leaders, so that churches can be strong and influential in the community, for the sake of the Gospel.