Todd Dowdy is a Licensed Local Pastor with the Alabama West-Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church and has served as Associate Pastor since our founding in January of 2023.  He is married to Marcia, a retired music teacher.  Marcia serves as our church organist and assists with worship planning.  They have two daughters and two grandchildren.  Todd earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Murray State University and a Master of Church Music from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.  He has served churches in Kentucky and Alabama on a full-time and bi-vocational basis with an emphasis in music, youth, and senior adult ministry.  He also served as a consultant with the Kentucky Baptist Convention Music Department as a liaison to local associations.  Todd considers it an honor to serve the Magnolia United Methodist Church as we strive to be a beacon of God’s grace and love in our community.

As Lay Leader, I serve as the connection between our pastor(s) and the people of the church (laity) to help ensure that we fulfill the mission and vision of the church and accomplish our spiritual ministry. It is important to me that laity is involved in all areas and that everyone is a part in whatever way God calls them to be. I strive to encourage and wholeheartedly listen to everyone’s feelings, thoughts, ideas and concerns.

I represent the congregation as a voting member of our Leadership Team and am a lay delegate to the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference.

The Reverend Dr. Debora Bishop is our founding pastor. She is an ordained Elder in the Alabama West-Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. Debora is wife to Tom Bishop, a retired Marine, and mother to their son, Matthew, who works and lives in Washington, D.C. She earned a Bachelor of Science at Troy University, a Master of Arts in Business at Webster University, a Master of Divinity at Erskine Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Prior to her call to ministry Debora retired from the United States Marine Corps. She is a certified Spiritual Director, has completed the Institute for Clergy Excellence (Faith and Finances), attended Servant Heart Emmaus Walk 14, and completed the two-year Academy for Spiritual Formation. During her eight years on the AWF Conference Board of Trustees she served four years as President. Dr. Bishop is the District Superintendent of the Southwest District of the Alabama-West Florida Conference. Serving with the people called Magnolia UMC has been a blessing and provides an opportunity to see God at work through the love and grace of everyone who claims Magnolia UMC as their church home.