April 28, 2025
Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Lan Davis Wilson as the Director of Belonging and Advocacy beginning July 1, 2025.
“As I reflect on Jesus’ earthly ministry and his teachings about the kingdom of heaven, I find that the very heart of his teaching is that all of us are beloved by God and given gifts to serve the common good,” Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson said. “His earthly ministry, in large part, was going out, healing those who had been separated from community for any number of reasons, and restoring them to a place where they could fully live into their gifts and find abundant life. Christ’s Church is called to do likewise.”
“I am excited for Lan to join us to help ensure that we are valuing all God’s children, and to help us in the work of making our communities more closely resemble the kingdom of heaven. This work is about extending God’s welcome to all, and to bring justice to those who have been silenced and excluded. It is holy work. My prayer is that we will be challenged and made more holy, a body that lives more fully into the beauty of Christ’s vision for his kingdom.”
In this role, Wilson will lead the charge in developing and implementing accountability structures for intersectional justice, equity, and inclusion in all facets of the Virginia Conference as well as define and direct advocacy and intersectional justice and equity initiatives across the Conference, at all levels, doing so in leadership and partnership with the Bishop, Cabinet, Conference Office, Districts, local churches, general agencies, and the connectional structures of The United Methodist Church.
“I believe the work of belonging isn’t just about inclusion—it’s about transformation — and that’s what I believe keeps us near the cross,” Wilson said. “When every person is seen, heard, and valued, the Church becomes more like the kin-dom God calls us to build.”
Wilson is a Kentucky native who has been serving in ministry since the age of 10. He most recently served as Associate Director for Diversity and Inclusion in the Indiana Conference.
Wilson comes from four generations of pastors and preachers and has traveled the world doing ministry. He is not only a minister and educator, but a trained coach and consultant. He is also a proud father and husband.
During the pandemic, he led teams that developed worship and justice resources to aid churches—resources that have been used in every jurisdiction of the U.S., across multiple denominations, and around the world.
From his early days in a small rural church, to his upbringing at a dynamic church in the projects, to one of the fastest growing churches in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, to new church plants, historic congregations, and cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments—Wilson is experienced in many different church settings and enjoys connecting with churches and leaders everywhere.
Bishop Sue invites the Virginia Conference to pray for Wilson and for the conference during this time as he prepares to be with and in ministry with the people of the Virginia Conference.