Hope Morgan Ward

Bishop Hope Morgan Ward was elected to the episcopacy in 2004 by the Southeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church. Ward served as resident bishop of the Mississippi Conference from 2004 to 2012, and as resident bishop of the North Carolina Conference from 2012 until her retirement in 2021. She has also served as president of both The United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries and JustPeace, The UMC’s Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation. Prior to her election as bishop, Ward served as a pastor, district superintendent, and director of connectional ministries in the North Carolina Conference.

In September of 2024, Ward was elected one of two Ecumenical Officers of The United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops, guiding the council and denomination in ecumenical and interfaith engagement, understanding, and mutuality.

Ward earned her MDiv from Duke Divinity School and holds honorary doctorate degrees from Millsaps College, Rust College, and Hood Theological Seminary. She served as a trustee of Emory University from 2005 to 2010.