Sharma Lewis, who is currently serving as senior pastor of Wesley Chapel UMC (McDonough), has been appointed as district superintendant of the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford District.

Sharma was ordained as a Deacon in 1999 and an Elder in 2002. Previous appointments include a cross-racial appointment as senior pastor of Powers Ferry UMC from 2004-2007, and associate pastor of Ben Hill UMC from 1999-2004.

Sharma is a native of Statesboro. She is a 1985 graduate of Mercer University, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. In 1988, Lewis graduated from West Georgia College with a Master of Science degree in Biology.

Prior to her call to ministry, Sharma was a biologist in the academic and corporate sectors. After answering God’s call to ministry, she entered Gammon Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center. While attending ITC she was inducted into Theta Phi Honor Society and was the recipient of numerous honors and awards. In 1999 she earned a Master of Divinity in Biblical studies with honors.

Currently, Sharma serves on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, the North Georgia Black Clergywomen of the UMC, and is chairperson of the Griffin District Committee on Superintendency. She was a reserve delegate to the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference in 2008, is a past member of the Black Church Development, and vice chairperson of the Committee on Church Development. Previously, Lewis served as a North Georgia Conference facilitator of the Lay Missionary Training Course and Contextual Education II at Candler School of Theology.

Sharma is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and a recipient of the 2004 Delta Sigma Theta Pinnacle Award as well as recipient of the Griffin District Denman Evangelism Award in 2009.