You’re from Columbus. Yes, both my wife, Brooke, and I are. Most of our family is here. It really is coming home. My parents are Vince Green and Genevieve Green. My wife’s parents are Roy and Catherine Ragan.
Did you grow up in the church? I grew up Baptist and I joined St. Mark (United Methodist) in middle school, when Jim Jackson was the pastor. Out of this particular youth group came a number of United Methodist pastors — such as Matt Avera at Wynnton and John Stephens (formerly of St. Peter) and myself.
Where’d you go to seminary? Asbury, in Wilmore, Ky. I graduated in 1998. I came back to St. Mark for two years. Jim McIlrath was the minister and Bill Powell was the District Superintendent. Then Bill moved me to Vienna, Ga. I spent six of the greatest years in Vienna. I have a deep love and respect for that area. I met some stalwart individuals. A retired state Supreme Court justice, Hardy Gregory, became a good friend of mine. He’s been a mentor.
Who are your siblings? My older brother is Bubba Green. He works at TSYS. My younger brother is Tres Green. He is a pharmaceutical salesman for a drug company.
What was the process for your new appointment? I’ve only been at Forest Hills for three years, and there certainly could be more people to pick than me. Bishop King called me and asked me to come see him. I got to his house and he started talking about the South Georgia Conference; and he said he wanted me to be part of the Cabinet. (The Cabinet is comprised of nine clergy who represent the Conference’s nine districts.)
What was your reaction? I don’t think my face could hide the shock. I don’t have a good poker face. I said: “With no disrespect to you or your office, I’m only 37 years old.” There are so many spiritual giants, and qualified people, and to a great extent, I felt like there should be other people who should get this. … In my family, my wife has the veto card. I was honored and humbled, but I wanted to make sure my wife and kids were OK with it. The bishop gave me a few days to mull it over and pray. This was two or so months ago. We called him back and said we’d be happy to move.
Have you grown into the idea or is it still daunting? There will definitely be a learning curve. Of the five new district superintendents, I’m the one with the least experience. I raised that issue with Bishop King; I wanted to make sure he was aware of that. I’m trusting God to help me, but there will be a learning curve.
What’s one goal you have in this new job? Ultimately I want to be a servant, and love the pastors. I want us to grow as a district. I’m intrigued by the influx of the population, with Fort Benning and the Kia plant. My desire is for every church in Columbus to grow, and not just United Methodist churches.
Green is moving from Forest Hills United Methodist Church in Macon, where he has lived for three years. He is replacing the Rev. Ronnie Culpepper, who retired.
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