About Ross T. Pryor
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi has appointed the Rev. Ross Pryor to serve as Superintendent of the Washington District, effective Jan. 1, 2022. Rev. Paul Ritchey, the current Washington DS, will move to the Greensburg District when Rev. Patricia Nelson returns to local church ministry as pastor of Holiday Park UMC after nearly eight years on the Cabinet.
The Rev. Ross Pryor was born and raised in New Kensington, PA. After graduating from high school, he earned an A.S. in Business Management before heading into the work force. In 2003, while attending Vermont Baptist Church in Creighton, PA, Ross received his call into pastoral ministry. That summer, Ross moved to Johnstown, PA and began attending his home church, Oakland United Methodist Church. It was there that he began his journey toward pastoral ministry in the Wesleyan tradition.
In April of 2006, he received his first appointment, Trinity and Trinity Asbury UMCs in Johnstown. Ross served those congregations and the communities in Johnstown until 2008, when he received his B.A. in Sociology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In the fall of that year, he began seminary studies at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and graduated with a M.Div. in 2011.
While attending seminary, he was appointed to Speers and Dunlevy UMC, a charge that eventually expanded to include Charleroi First UMC. In 2013, Ross became the pastor of West Washington and Jefferson Avenue United Methodist churches in the city of Washington, PA. Since 2019, Ross has served as the pastor of Aliquippa First UMC and in 2020, Monaca UMC was added to the charge. Ross is the proud father of one son, Lawrence, an Army Reservist and college student.
Ross has been blessed with the spiritual gifts of teaching and preaching and is also passionate about his role for many years as a youth advisor. Since 2005, Ross has worked with the Conference youth, teaching youth and youth leaders about their Christian journey and how to bring their witness back to their schools, churches and communities. Regardless of the audience, Ross feels he is called to empower servant leaders and the church body to carry out God’s will through community outreach and discipleship.
He also has held numerous other leadership roles in the Conference, serving as a member of the Episcopacy Committee, the Board of Ordained Ministry, and co-chair of the task force that led the listening posts in preparation for the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference.
About Washington District
The Washington District, in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania, is a place of diversity. Its borders touch Ohio, West Virginia and four other districts and include many small towns, several small cities and a various rural areas. Congregations are privileged to serve in several college settings, in ministry to homeless people, the elderly, those struggling with issues of poverty and other marginalized individuals. Congregations offer fellowship to all who desire a relationship with Jesus Christ. Mission/Outreach is the heart of the Washington District.
The 78 churches provide a variety of worship styles including contemporary, traditional and small group settings. Serving these congregations are elders, licensed local pastors, retired pastors, certified lay ministers, a deacon and a host of dedicated lay servants. The Holy Spirit is active and present in the Washington District. It is a wonderful place to serve the Lord.