Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop of the South Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, has appointed two new district superintendents – the Rev. Chris Lollis and the Rev. Jeffrey Salley.Â
Rev. Chris Lollis
Rev. Lollis has served as the conference benefits officer since 2018. He was born in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and graduated from Williamson Christian College in 2004 with a bachelor of science degree in leadership and ministry.
Rev. Lollis was ordained in 2010 following his 2008 graduation from Erskine Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree. He also has studied clinical pastoral education at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. During his appointment as conference benefits officer, Rev. Lollis served as pastor of Swansea United Methodist Church. He also has served Trinity United Methodist Church in Darlington; Augusta Road United Methodist Church in Pelzer; First United Methodist Church in Clover; Mathews, Harris and Ebenezer United Methodist churches in Greenwood; and Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
In addition to Rev. Lollis’ work in local churches, he has served in many ways, including on the Conference Commission on Equitable Compensation, the Conference Board of Pension and Health, and district committees on Ordained Ministry, Connectional Ministries, and Church Building and Location. He is currently a member of the board of directors of the South Carolina Christian Action Council. Before serving in ministry, Rev. Lollis worked in technology sales and marketing.
Rev. Lollis is married to Donna Lollis, pastor of Swansea and Calvary-Oak Grove UMCs in Swansea. They have one daughter, Sarah. He enjoys traveling, especially to the beach and mountains; exercise, fitness and weightlifting; competing in 5K obstacle course races; cooking; and spending time with family and friends.
Rev. Jeffrey Salley
Rev. Salley has served as senior pastor of Canaan United Methodist Church and Sand Hill United Methodist Church, both in Ridgeville, since 2016. He was born in Walterboro, South Carolina, and graduated from Claflin University in 1990 with a bachelor of arts degree in English, and from Bowling Green State University in 1992 with a master of arts degree in technical writing and cognate, training and development.
Rev. Salley was ordained in 2001 following his graduation that year from the Gammon Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center with a master of divinity degree in pastoral care and counseling. Before his appointment to Canaan and Sand Hill UMCs, Rev. Salley served as a congregational specialist for African-American Ministries and for the Columbia and Hartsville districts; Trinity United Methodist Church in Bennettsville; New Hope and Saint Paul UMCs in Ridgeville; and as director of the Bennettsville-Cheraw Area Cooperative Ministry in Bennettsville.
In addition to Rev. Salley’s work in local churches, he has served in many ways, including on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry; Conference Connectional Ministries; and district committees on Ordained Ministry. He has served as a member of the design team for the Summit on the Black Church, Black Methodists for Church Renewal, and the Conference Lay Servant Ministry Team. He is currently a member of the board of trustees of Epworth Children’s Home. Before serving in ministry, Rev. Salley taught and served as director of the Honors College at Voorhees College.
Rev. Salley enjoys mentoring, coaching, reading, bowling and traveling.
The appointments are effective June 26, 2024. As part of the appointment process, their assignments will be communicated at a later date.
