Dr. Linda Adams is a graduate of Spring Arbor University (BA 1977) and Asbury Theological Seminary (MDiv 1991; DMin 2000). She has enjoyed serving in three pastoral appointments—pastor for CE at the Spring Arbor, Michigan FMC; lead pastor of the St. Charles, Illinois FMC; and lead pastor of New Hope Church in Rochester, New York. During her ten years at New Hope, the church incorporated more than 30 refugees from Central Africa into the congregation, opening her eyes to the reality of global poverty and the migration of people because of war and ethnic strife. For the past 11 years, she has led International Child Care Ministries, a vibrant global FM movement in 33 countries.

Linda and her husband John celebrated 42 years of marriage in August 2019. Their 36-year-old son Nate lives in Virginia; their 32-year-old daughter Carrie lives in Washington, DC. Besides serving the Lord through the FMC, Linda loves to play the piano and sing, swim, walk with friends, read and travel. In fact, after all the travel she has done in the past 11 years, she is still not tired of it! Which is good, because now that she has been elected bishop, travel will continue to be her lifestyle. Literally and figuratively, she finds joy in the journey.