NTC Publications News Releases Media Relations Rev. Derrick R. Wright named superintendent of Paris-Sulphur Springs District Produced by Dallas Area Communications, official news office of the Dallas Area of the United Methodist Church. Bishop William B. Oden, resident bishop of the Dallas Area of the United Methodist Church, has announced the appointment of Rev. Derrick R. Wright as superintendent of the Paris-Sulphur Springs District, effective June 15, 1998. Rev. Wright, pastor of Highland Hills United Methodist Church, Dallas since 1992, follows Rev. Walter L. Zimmerman, superintendent of the Paris-Sulphur Springs District since 1992. Rev. Zimmerman, with offices in Sulphur Springs, has announced that his retirement will become effective at the North Texas Annual Conference next June with 46 years of service. A District Superintendent is an ordained minister appointed by a bishop to oversee the pastors and local churches in a district.
Several pastors serve more than one congregation.
Prior to his present appointment of six years, Rev. Wright was the founding pastor of New Horizon UMC, DeSoto, the chair of the Conference Commission on the Black Church, and the chair of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. From 1982 through 1986 he served as an associate pastor in Dallas churches. He is a graduate of O. D. Wyatt High School, Ft. In college he was a four year letterman in baseball and captain for two years. He received the Big State Conference Academic Award in college and as a senior was named the Outstanding Christian Young Man.