EVANSVILLE – HOPKINSVILLE
Presiding Elder Lisa Lewis-Balboa
Reverend Lisa Balboa is an Ordained Elder in Full Connection with the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church. Reverend Balboa has served in the Pastoral Ministry for 31 years.
Reverend Lisa Balboa, the current Pastor of the Historic Freeman Chapel CME Church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, holds a unique position in its 157-year history as the first female to lead the congregation. Her pioneering role extends beyond Freeman Chapel. She has also pastored at Lane Tabernacle, Hopkinsville; Phillips Chapel, Elkton; Sebree Chapel, Trenton; Lane Chapel, Guthrie; and several other churches in Kentucky.
Reverend Lisa Balboa is very active in the life of the CME Church. She serves as the Director of Christian Education for the Evansville-Hopkinsville District. Reverend Balboa is the Dean of Leadership Training School and Chairperson for the Committee on Ministerial Examination for the Kentucky Region Annual Conference. She is a Connectional Officer and has been appointed the Coordinator for the Commission on Concerns of Women in Ministry for the CME Church. She has been recognized as “Pastor of the Year” by the Phillips School of Theology.
Reverend Lisa Balboa’s passion for Ecumenical work and her unwavering belief in the pursuit of Christian Unity are evident in her roles. She is the President of the Christian County Ministerial Association, serves as the Vice Chair for the Kentucky Council of Churches, and has previously chaired the National Workshop on Christian Unity.
Reverend Lisa Balboa’s love for the Hispanic community is reflected in her fluency in Spanish and her establishment of the non-profit organization, HOLA (Helping Our Latin Americans). Her dedication to this cause was recognized when she was invited to attend the Hispanic Breakfast with President Barack Obama.
Reverend Lisa Balboa is a published author whose story appeared in the first edition of “Leading Ladies.” She has her own ministry, #amencorner, and has begun a radio ministry on Sundays at the #amencorner.
Reverend Lisa Balboa graduated from Hopkinsville Community College with an Associate Degree in Early Education. She then matriculated at Austin Peay University, Clarksville, TN. She is also a Graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, TN, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and Human Resources. She has received an Honorary Doctorate in Christian Education from the LDC Bible Institute.
Reverend Balboa lives in Trenton, Kentucky, the “Big City.” She is the proud mother of one son, Reverend Benjamin Grant Lewis. Her Motto is: “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living will not be in vain.”
Presiding Elder Joseph D. Benberry
Greetings! I am Rev. Joseph D. Benberry, serving as one of the Presiding Elders of the Evansville-Hopkinsville District within the Second Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Church. It is both an honor and a blessing to serve in this capacity, guiding and uplifting God’s people across our beloved community.
Born in Paducah, Kentucky, I am the youngest of eight siblings and have been married for over 25 years to the love of my life, Minister Tiffany Benberry. We have three wonderful children and five grandchildren, whose youthfulness continually encourages and excites my ministry and service.
My journey began with a strong educational foundation, earning an Associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force and Western Kentucky Community and Technical College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Murray State University, an MDiv from Payne Theological Seminary, and I am currently completing a PhD at the University of Missouri -Columbia. I am a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) with extensive experience in hospital leadership. I proudly retired from serving our country as a Major in the United States Air Force, having deployed to Iraq in 2004, as well as to Qatar, Cyprus, and Germany, and completed various short tours in over 20 states.
Throughout my life, I’ve committed myself to community service, participating in various Federal, State, and local boards and committees dedicated to the well-being and development of our communities and neighborhoods. Yet, my most profound passion has always been ministry. I was born and raised in the C.M.E. Church (a third-generation C.M.E.). I have faithfully served in numerous leadership roles within the church since 1991, where I have witnessed and inspired incredible spiritual and numerical growth.
My ministry mission is rooted in the belief in the Life-Changing Power of Jesus Christ, and I am dedicated to building God’s kingdom, encouraging Christian living, and serving His people with sincerity, love, and humility. It is my mission to lead with integrity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to advancing the Gospel.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Presiding Elder and look forward to what God has in store for us all.
The Best is Yet to Come!
EVANSVILLE – HOPKINSVILLE district Churches
Cleaves Memorial CME Church
Rev. Jeffrey & Rev. Thea Sowell
650 Line St. – P.O. Box 884 (47708)
Evansville, IN 47715
Wesley Chapel CME Church
Rev. Michael Reid
171 N. Kentucky Ave.
Madisonville, KY 42431
Mt. Zion CME Church
Rev. Tammy Acree
3940 Guthrie Rd.
Guthrie, KY 42234
Phillips Chapel CME Church (Elkton)
Rev. Melton Brooks
305 S. Allen St.
Elkton, KY 42220
Bowman Chapel CME Church
Rev. Leatrice Holmes
621 W O’Bannon St.
Morganfield, KY 42437
Miles Chapel CME Church
Rev. Joseph Benberry
762 Levin Ave.
Paducah, KY 42001
Phillips Chapel CME Church (Sturgis)
Rev. Thea Sowell
523 N King St.
Sturgis, KY 42459
Thomas Chapel CME Church
Rev. Susan Alford
1207 E Seventh St.
Hickman, KY 42041
Freeman Chapel CME Church
Rev. Lisa Lewis Balboa
137 S Virginia St.
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Lane Tabernacle CME Church
Rev. Brenda Hollowell
109 S. Vine St.
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
St. James CME Church
Rev. Joseph Benberry
800 Tennessee St.- P. O. Box 1061 (42002)
Paducah, KY 42001
Spillman Chapel CME Church
Rev. Kimberly Traylor
314 N. Donnivan St.
Princeton, KY 42445
Pleasant Green CME Church
3805 Pleasant Green Church Rd.
P. O. Box 895
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Hills Chapel CME Church
Rev. Denise GoLightly
236 E. Princeton St. – P. O. Box 329
Crofton, KY 42217
Bells Chapel CME Church
Rev. Susan Alford
207 North Highland Dr. – P. O. Box 1463
Fulton, KY 42041
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