New bishop heard call to ministry at 13

Raised and molded in the United Methodist faith, Bishop Tracy S. Malone was destined to lead in times such as this, according to those who know her well.

Her journey began at a young age, when at 13, she heard the call to ministry one summer while attending the Pembroke Institute, which gives Chicago-area youth an opportunity to explore a vocation in ministry.

“I had an acute sense at Pembroke and a feeling in my heart that I was being called to serve God and God’s church,” said Malone, who was elected bishop at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference in Peoria, Illinois, in July. She now leads the East Ohio Conference. “I didn’t know what form of ministry it would be, but I said ‘yes’ to give my life to Christ.”

The Rev. Dennis Ogelsby, president of the Chicago Black Methodists for Church Renewal, said he’s watched Malone grow from an inquisitive 13-year-old who exuded grace and kindness to a faithful servant of Christ.

“I’ve known Tracy as she matriculated through the Methodist process from a teen in the Pembroke Institute, as she became a deacon and then onto an elder, and she never changed,” said Ogelsby. “She was always consistent and always who she was created to be … she is a gift to us.”

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Malone was raised in Chicago by her parents, the Rev. Willie and April Smith. Malone credits them with grounding her in the United Methodist faith.

“I am a child of the church. I was raised, nurtured and formed in the church,” Malone said. “I remember my Sunday school teachers, my confirmation leaders, the youth ministry and all those who taught me what it meant to be a child of God and to faithfully live out that call and Christian commitment.”

She received her early education through the Chicago Public Schools system and graduated from Lindblom Technical High School in 1986. She continued her education at North Central College, a United Methodist-related college in in Naperville, Illinois.

North Central President Troy D. Hammond describes Malone as a true leader. “While a student at North Central, Tracy was a ‘change agent’,” said Hammond. “She initiated a gospel choir, planned new activities for the annual Martin Luther King celebration and served on the search committee for the college’s first multicultural affairs director. We are so proud of all she has accomplished, and North Central is a different place because of her.”

Hammond says Malone continues to be generous with her time and energy as an alumna. She and her husband, Derrick, who she met at North Central, have established a minority scholarship to support African-American students. She also is the recipient of the North Central College’s 2013 Outstanding Alumni Award.

Malone attended Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, graduating in 1993 with a Master’s of Divinity. She earned her Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, in 2001.

The Rev. Lallene J. Rector, president of Garrett-Evangelical, said Malone has one of the most winning personalities and possesses the art of communication.

“She is gifted with the capacity, willingness and commitment to support others in their work and their leadership,” Rector said. “She has a compelling enthusiasm that can recruit both human and financial resources for the work of ministry — all these qualities are critical for the new responsibilities she will assume (as bishop).”

Malone served as district superintendent of the Chicago Southern Region of Northern Illinois from 2011-16 and was the dean of the cabinet from 2014-16. Prior to being appointed superintendent, she was senior pastor of Gary United Methodist Church in Wheaton, Illinois, where she was the first woman and first person of color to serve as senior pastor of the predominantly white, 1,000-member congregation.

Malone has pastored several other churches in the Northern Illinois Conference. She was senior pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora, Illinois, pastor of Southlawn in Chicago, associate pastor at First United Methodist in Lombard, Illinois, and assistant pastor at St. Mark United Methodist in Chicago. She has published articles, blogs and book reviews and written chapters for several books.

She chaired the Agenda and Calendar Committee at the 2016 General Conference and the General Board of Church and Society Legislative Committee at the 2012 General Conference.

Bishop Tracy S. Malone (right) and the Rev. Darnearther Murph-Heath before the 2015 ordination service at the Northern Illinois Conference. Photo courtesy of the Northern Illinois Conference.

First female bishop from Northern Illinois

Malone is the first female bishop to be elected from the Northern Illinois Conference and the first candidate to be elected bishop from the conference since Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton in 1996.

She says people began sowing the seed some years ago, telling her that one day she would become a bishop. It didn’t resonate at first, but she says she started seeing signs and affirmations.

“I believe all my ministry and leadership experiences in the local church, in the general church and as a DS have prepared me to lead as bishop in critical times like these. We live in a hurting and fractured world and we are a hurting and fractured church,” said Malone. “I desire to offer my leadership, experiences, passion and vision to expand the church’s witness in proclaiming the gospel and bringing hope, healing and justice in the church and in the world.”

Seeking wisdom, she said she dedicated time to pray and fast before coming to her decision last year. “I asked the Lord to show me and it became very clear in my spirit that this is the path that God wanted me on.”

The Rev. Carol Hill, First United Methodist Church West Dundee, helped lead her support team and says she was blessed to learn and share Malone’s story along the way.

“Taking care of little details meant that I got to learn more about Tracy’s experiences and the breadth of people she has impacted,” said Hill. “Tracy gives me hope for our church because I believe she is an incredibly gifted, authentic leader, who loves God and loves people and who won’t give up when faced with challenges.”

The Rev. Chris Pierson, senior pastor of Gary United Methodist Church of Wheaton, said Malone “is an inspirational leader who brings out the best in others.” He said that is a gift The United Methodist Church “so desperately needs during these challenging and changing times.”

Bishop Sally Dyck said that as a district superintendent and in other posts, Malone demonstrated a record of effectiveness, creativity and strategic focus in the local church.

“I think I speak for all of Northern Illinois when I say that we are proud and excited that Rev. Tracy Smith Malone has been chosen to serve the church through the office of the episcopacy. Not only is she an effective, creative and gifted pastor, she is a person that is a joy to work with and to know,” said Dyck, adding that the conference will miss Malone.

Possibly Malone’s proudest achievements are her two daughters, Ashley and Alexis.

“My first ministry is my family,” said Malone. “I’m intentional about creating time and space for them, which is why I’ve been able to be in ministry for 25 years. I put my family time on my schedule first and encourage others to model this and find a balance.”

Malone knows her schedule will be more demanding as an episcopal leader but she is ready for the challenge. She is hopeful for the future and is committed to serving the church.

“I will be faithful in serving out God’s divine call on my life,” said Malone. “I will be faithful in making sure The United Methodist Church remains a united church as we seek to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.”

Gerhardt is director of communications for the Northern Illinois Conference.