Dr. Amara graduated from Methodist High School in Sierra Leone, People’s Friendship University in Moscow, Russia with a BA in History, a MA in Political Science, and a PhD in International Relations. He received his MDiv degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester, New York.
Rev. Amara started his ministry in the Wyoming Conference in 2005 and was ordained elder in full connection in the Susquehanna Conference in 2012. The churches he has served include Mount Upton and Guilford in the Oneonta District of the former Wyoming Conference and Plains, Bennett-Derr and Wilkes Barre Central in the Scranton Wilkes Barre District. Most recently he was appointed to the Albright-Bethune and Park Forest Churches in the State College District. Dr. Amara presently serves on the Conference Mission Committee, Conference Board of Ordained Ministry as well as the Episcopacy Committee. He was also elected to be a clergy delegate to the 2020 Jurisdictional Conference.
Paul has a contagious sense of joy and draws people in with his genuine and friendly spirit. His sincere passion and spirit-filled presence and commitment to serve God’s purpose is evident in his desire to be an effective pastor. He possesses the ability to work collaboratively in mission and strives to help the church understand their ministry and witness as they serve the greater community. With ample experiences in global ministry his vision for the church is unity in the midst of diversity. Originally from Sierra Leone, he speaks multiple languages.
Paul is married to his wife, Kadiatu who goes by Kadie. They have two sons, Charles and Paul Jr and two grandchildren, Andrew and Jacob.
Rev. Cathy Boileau will be appointed as District Superintendent of the York District.Rev. Boileau graduated from Harriton High School, Bowdoin College with a BA and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1994 with a MDiv degree. She was ordained elder in full connection in 1996 in the Central Pennsylvania Conference.
Rev. Boileau has served churches in the York District since 1994. These churches include Mt. Nebo-Mt. Olivet, Red Lion Bethany and Dover New Creation. She has been serving First UMC in Chambersburg since 2014.
In her current appointment as Lead Pastor of First UMC Cathy has brought visionary leadership in creative worship, laity empowerment, and community outreach. With a heart for the marginalized, she has led her congregation to reach out in mission both in the Chambersburg area and across the world; leading multiple mission teams throughout her ministry. Cathy has brought her experience in leading small, medium, and large congregations into her current role as Co-Dean of our Conference Licensing School for Local Pastors.
Cathy is married to her husband, Michael. They have two sons, Jonah and Samuel.
Dr. Willis graduated from Williamsburg High School and Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Music Education. She received a MDiv degree from the Church of God Theological Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee and Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Rev. Willis served the Mines/Royer Churches 1998-2001, Manor Hill Charge from 2001-2008 as a local pastor. She has been the pastor of West Side Church, Clearfield for twelve years. In 2011, she was ordained an elder in the Central Pennsylvania Conference. She is also a member of the Altoona District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
Joleen’s non-anxious presence and kind demeanor, as well as her sense of humor puts others at ease and is evidenced in the ways she builds relationships. She has served as a mentor to ministry candidates, clergy, and Certified Lay Ministers. In addition to the many gifts that she brings to ministry in the local church and to the wider Church, Joleen is also a very talented musician and serves as the director of the Chi Rho Singers (the Conference Pastors Choir). She can be heard playing the piano and flute as well as singing.
Joleen is married to her husband, Randy, who is an elder in full connection in the Susquehanna Conference. They have two children, Ethan and Sarah.
“I give thanks to God for God’s leading the Cabinet in the discernment of Revs. Paul Amara, Cathy Boileau, and Joleen Willis to serve as District Superintendents for such a time as this,” said Bishop Park. “As gifted preachers and teachers, they are well respected pastoral leaders who are grounded in deep spirituality. They each have a heart for missions and each one is an outstanding example of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. They will richly bless the cabinet table, as well as their districts and the conference.”
“I ask that you join me in praying for these servants of God, their families, the congregations they are leaving, and the districts that will receive them as District Superintendents. May the gifts and graces that each of them will bring to their new roles help all of us further God’s Kingdom, all to the glory of God.”
