BISHOP KENNETH LEVINGSTON
Bishop Levingston has pastored God’s people in rural, urban, suburban, and multicultural settings for more than 40 years. He preaches and teaches the love and call of God to everyone in a manner that is Holy Spirit filled and rooted in scripture.
Bishop Levingston continues to serve the local church as Senior Pastor of Jones Memorial, The Higher Way Church for the past 17 years. He has been blessed to shepherd two smaller congregations, St. Paul and Pleasant Grove, as Senior Pastor since January of 2023.
He challenges the hearer to respond to the call of Jesus, “follow me and I will make you fishers of people.” He loves helping others come to know, love, and believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life found only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Bishop Kenneth Levingston was consecrated as one of six elected Global Methodist Church Bishops during the 2024 Convening General Conference. He is committed to walking with God’s people in fulfilling Christ's mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ as we spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
Bishop Levingston and his wife of 37 years, Shanda Kaye, have two daughters, Brittany and Ke’Andra.
REV. ENID S. HENDERSON
Rev. Enid Henderson is a dedicated servant-leader with a passion for cultivating relationships that honor God and transform lives. She is committed to making a Kingdom impact by serving, empowering, and uplifting both the church and the community. With a heart for ministry, she seeks to bring glory to God through meaningful engagement and discipleship.
A proud graduate of Texas Southern University, Rev. Henderson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations & Communications. She later earned her Master of Divinity from Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology. She is an Ordained Elder in the Global Methodist Church and an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
In addition to her role as Executive Pastor at Jones Memorial The Higher Way Church, Rev. Henderson serves as the Presiding Elder-At-Large of the Trinity Conference of the Global Methodist Church. She also provides leadership as Chair of the African American Ministry Initiatives, working to strengthen and expand the reach of ministry within diverse communities.
Before returning to Jones Memorial in July 2023, Rev. Henderson faithfully served as Senior Pastor of Ebenezer UMC in Houston’s historic Independence Heights. Under her leadership, the church experienced transformation, growth, and intentional missional engagement.
Rev. Henderson has been joyfully married to her husband, Lance, for over 25 years, and together they are proud parents of their gifted daughter, Leighla.
REV. VERRONDA FLANAGAN
A native Houstonian, Rev. Verronda has been a member of the Methodist Church all of her adult years. She has worked in Corporate America as a Sr. VP in HR Management for 16 years, and in Higher Education, Mid High and Elementary Schools in various roles.
Rev. Verronda began her journey of being a servant leader for God at Windsor Village United Methodist Church. She then answered God’s divine call to pastoral ministry in 2008, and will be continuing her studies at SMU Perkins School of Theology.
Children: Raymond and Elyssia
Grandchildren: Brooklynn
Pastor Flanagan was appointed to Jones Memorial The Higher Way Church on August 1, 2020.
Senior Pastor
Executive Pastor
Associate Pastor
REV. NAKIA W. EDWARDS
Nakia William Edwards, born and raised in New Jersey, came to Houston, Texas in 1993 to attend Texas Southern University. Nakia proudly graduated from Texas Southern University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and minor in sociology. Nakia continued his studies and received a Master’s in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University. Nakia currently works full-time at Houston Community College as the Program Director of Workforce and Career Training.
But the highlight of his life started in the year of 2000 when he fully committed his life to Christ. In 2001, he met the love of his life, Thelissa, who became his wife on May 18, 2002. Nakia responded to the call to pastoral ministry in 2016 through the United Methodist Conference as a licensed local pastor. He previously served in the youth and marriage ministry at Windsor Village United Methodist Church, the Board of Directors at the Awakenings Movement, and pastoral leadership, youth and marriage ministry at Covenant Glen United Methodist Church. Nakia is proud to join the pastoral team of Jones Memorial The Higher Way Church and looks forward to being used mightily for the glory of God!
Wife: Thelissa
Children: Farrah, Jacob, Hannah, David
Pastor Edwards was appointed to Jones Memorial The Higher Way Church on July 1, 2020.
Associate Pastor
REV. DR. DOROTHY SMITH-HUBBARD
Rev. Dr. Dorothy Smith-Hubbard was born in Winchester, Kentucky. and relocated to Pearland, Texas, in 2009.
An Ordained Elder in the Global Methodist Church and formerly pastored two churches in the UMC with the opportunity to assist in a successful church merger. She has over 12 years of experience in Chaplaincy and is endorsed by The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). Nashville, TN. And a certified Chaplain through the Board of Chaplaincy certification (BCCI). President and Founder of Branches Inc. (a 501(c) Leadership Organization in Kentucky and Houston with a mission to raise up Leaders to Serve in the body of Christ (Doctordorothy.org), In cooperation with The Oral Robert’s University Local Bible Institute, has established “The Smith-Hubbard Bible Institute” in honor of our parents, Rev. Winfred C. Smith and Missionary Flemon C. Hubbard.
Dr. Dorothy is also the Author of “Reducing Anxiety of Persons Practicing Pastoral Care Through Interpathy Training” and “Reframing To Now” (amazon.com).
Dr. Dorothy has an earned Master of Arts Master’s degree in Leadership (MACL) and Master of Arts Christian Ministries (MACM) from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY., an earned Doctorate of Ministry (DMin) with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Counseling and presently serves as a part-time Adjunct Professor at Oral Robert’s University, Tulsa, Ok.
Husband: Min Roland C. Hubbard, Sr. Certified Lay Minister
Children: Christa, Dawn, Myra, Charity, Rochelle, Rebecca, and Roland Jr.
Grandchildren: Micheal, Shenice, Emmanuel, K'ara, Jordan, Jessica, Gabriel, Isaac, and Roland, III.
Pastor Dorothy was appointed to Jones Memorial The Higher Way Church on July 1, 2022.
Associate Pastor
