United Methodist Bishop Paul L. Leeland recently announced that Dr. Chris Eckert has been appointed as the District Superintendent of the Demopolis District of the Alabama-West Florida Conference, effective July 1.
Eckert is currently serving as the senior pastor of Ozark First United Methodist Church. He was ordained as an elder in the AWF Conference in 1991. His previous appointments in the conference include the Pike Circuit, associate at Dothan First United Methodist Church, Denton Road United Methodist Church, Hartford First United Methodist Church, and Greenville First United Methodist Church.
“We are excited to have Chris as a fruitful and faithful addition to our appointive cabinet and the Demopolis District,” Leeland said. “He has proven his leadership abilities in his previous appointments and we look forward to him joining our leadership team in ministry.”

Eckert received his undergraduate degree from Huntingdon College, attended seminary at Candler School of Theology at Emory University and received his doctorate of ministry from International Theological

Seminary. He is married to the former Keri Prather and has one child, Hayes.
Rev. Sara Shaver, who was previously announced as the new Demopolis District Superintendent, has been appointed as District Superintendent to the Dothan District.