First United Methodist Church of Birmingham today revealed who its next senior pastor will be.

The Rev. Kevin Thomas, pastor of Forest Lake United Methodist Church in Tuscaloosa, will become the new senior pastor of First United Methodist of Birmingham, effective July 1.

Thomas has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and earned a master of divinity degree from Memphis Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary.

He has been in pastoral ministry for 30 years, the last decade at Forest Lake.

“This is a time to strengthen our roots, deepen our commitment to one another and fully embrace our mission of being an open place for all to worship, grow and serve,” said Janet Voorhees, chair of the staff parish relations committee.

The Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, the first woman senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Birmingham, stepped down from that role in February to take a CEO-level post at a denominational agency.

Arnold, who had been on staff at First United Methodist since 2010 and senior pastor since 2018, accepted a job as general secretary of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women of the United Methodist Church, effective March 1.

“I remember after my first encounter with Kevin feeling as if I knew I wasn’t alone,” Arnold posted today on social media. “I had an alley and was in the presence of someone who would speak up when they felt injustice was taking place. Time after time since then I have seen Kevin rise to the occasion to advocate for others…people of color, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, etc. He does so always with compassion, humility and wisdom.”