A Message from SPRC Chair Kristin White

Dear Church Family,

On behalf of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, I am pleased to share that Bishop Ruben Saenz, Jr. of the Horizon Texas Conference has appointed Rev. Ramon F. Smith to serve as the next Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church Plano, effective July 1, 2026.

Rev. Smith currently serves as Senior Pastor of Saginaw United Methodist Church in Saginaw, Texas, where he has led the congregation since July 2021. A native of Raymond, Mississippi, Rev. Smith is passionate about preaching the gospel, forming disciples, and helping churches align their mission with the needs of their communities.

Rev. Smith holds two undergraduate degrees from Mississippi State University and a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He was ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church in 2011. Rev. Smith has served in a variety of ministry settings, including an urban new church start, an urban traditional congregation, and cross-racial appointments as an associate pastor in both a large suburban church and a megachurch.

Within the Horizon Texas Conference, Rev. Smith currently serves as Chair of the Commission on Equitable Compensation and Metro West Chair of the Committee on Superintendency. He previously served on the Board of Ordained Ministry and was elected a Jurisdictional Conference Delegate in 2019.

Rev. Smith lives in Fort Worth with his wife of 19 years, Gabrielle, an attorney, and their two children, RJ (13) and Isabelle (10). He enjoys reading, grilling, and proudly supporting his children in their activities as a soccer and dance dad.

Rev. Smith shares that he is grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside the people of First United Methodist Church Plano and looks forward to what God will do through the congregation’s faith, service, and witness as together we seek to connect God and grace to self and community.

We also give thanks for the faithful leadership of Rev. Matt Gaston, who will be retiring on July 1 after ten years of dedicated service to our church. We are grateful for the many ways Matt has guided and strengthened our congregation, and we will celebrate his ministry in the months ahead.

Please join us in praying for Rev. Smith and his family as they prepare for this transition, and for our church as we continue to follow God’s call. We look forward to welcoming Rev. Smith and his family as we begin this new chapter together in ministry.

Grace and peace,

Kristin White

Chair, Staff Parish Relations Committee

First United Methodist Church Plano