By: Jim Pyatt, WNCC Archivist & Historian

Rev. David Ortigoza

David Ortigoza was born and educated in Brazil, receiving his B.A. from Assoc. Fluminense and his B.Th. from Meth. Institute. David was ordained an Elder in the Methodist Church of Brazil in 1981, and transferred to the United Methodist Church in 2004. In 2003 he was hired by the SEJ Administrative Council to be the Director of Hispanic and Latino ministries for the SEJ. As a member of the WNC Conference he has served the following appointments: 2004-07 Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries for the SEJ, and for the Waynesville District; 2008-09 Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries for the SEJ, the WNC Conference, and for the Waynesville District; 2009-10 Canton: First and Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries for the WNC Conference; 2010-11 Charlotte: Cole Memorial; 2011-12 Charlotte; Cole Memorial-St. Luke; 2012-13 Morning Star; 2013-15 Personal Leave; 2015 Memorial (Charlotte) Hispanic Ministry; 2015-16 Memorial and St. Andrew’s (Charlotte) Hispanic Ministry; 2016-present St. Andrew’s (Charlotte) Cross Cultural Ministry.

Be sure to read the other biographies written by WNCC Archivist & Historian Jim Pyatt:

Rev. Diana Wingeier-Rayo, the first Hispanic/Latina woman to be received into full clergy membership in the WNC Conference.

Raul Adriano, the first known person of Hispanic/Latino heritage to be elected by The WNCC to serve as a Lay Delegate to General Conference.

Rev. Carlos Alberto Rodriguez, a key figure at the Board of Missions Office of The WNCC in 1961.

Rev. Dr. Abraham Kim, the first Asian-American to be elected as a clergy delegate to Jurisdictional Conference from the WNC Conference.

Rev. Karen Miyoshi Kagiyama, the first Asian-American women to be ordained an Elder in the WNCC.

In Muk Kim, the first Asian-American to be elected as a delegate (clergy or lay) to Jurisdictional Conference from the WNC Conference.

Rev. M. B. Lee McCrary, the first woman to become a full clergy member of the Western North Carolina Conference. 

Rev. Dolores Barus Queen, the first woman to serve as District Superintendent in the Western NC Conference.

Bishop Charlene P. Kammerer, the first (and to date, the only) woman to serve as Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference.

Mrs. Jettie Morrison, a key figure in the Women's Society of Christian Service and the integration of The United Methodist Church in 1968.

Bishop L. Scott Allen (May 4, 1918-September 18, 2004), the first (and to date, the only) African-American to serve as Bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference.

Mrs. Effie Miller (September 17, 1930-September 1, 2008), a leader in the Western North Carolina Conference and the United Methodist Church, especially with regard to the United Methodist Women.

The Rev. Dr. J. C. Peters (July 10, 1925- July 2, 1998), the first African-American to serve as a District Superintendent in the Western North Carolina Conference.

Mr. Clarence Winchester,  a leader in the North Carolina Conference (Central Jurisdiction) and in the WNC Conference.

Dr. Isaac Miller (September 26, 1920-November 1, 2008), a leader in Higher Education and in the United Methodist Church.