Bishop Saenz Receives 2022 Perkins Distinguished Alumni Award
2020 and 2021 Award Winners Also Honored During Ceremonies at SMU Perkins School of Theology.
An exciting and whirlwind November continued for Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. on Monday, Nov. 14 as he was presented with the 2022 Perkins Distinguished Alumnus Award during ceremonies on the SMU campus. A few minutes before the event began, Bishop Saenz reflected on his near 30 years of ministry since he first walked the hallowed halls of Perkins. He also shared his excitement for the church 30 years into the future. (View those comments below or visit the CTC Vimeo page to download/share. A replay of his comments during the event is also below).
Receiving the award just 10 days after being assigned by the South Central Jurisdictional Conference to be the resident bishop of both the Central Texas Conference and the North Texas Conference proved to be a poignant circumstance.
“It was 30 years ago when I first came to the DFW area to live and attend Perkins,” recalled Bishop Saenz. “Now, to receive this honor on the heels of being assigned as the bishop of both the Fort Worth and Dallas episcopal areas is humbling.
“It is also quite energizing,” he continued. “30 years ago, the faculty, staff and students of Perkins helped cement the foundation of my ministry. Now, we have the opportunity to set the foundations of the church for generations to come. I am honestly more excited about the United Methodist Church 30 years from now.”
Due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Saenz eagerly shared the evening with the 2020 Distinguished Alumni recipients Rev. Don Underwood and Rev. Dr. Sid Hall, and the 2021 Distinguished Alumni honoree Dr. Evelyn Parker.
Receiving the award just 10 days after being assigned by the South Central Jurisdictional Conference to be the resident bishop of both the Central Texas Conference and the North Texas Conference proved to be a poignant circumstance.
 |
| Mrs. Maye Saenz (center) was able to gather many of those who came from around the Central Texas Conference to support and cheer on Bishop Saenz for a "family photo." |
“It was 30 years ago when I first came to the DFW area to live and attend Perkins,” recalled Bishop Saenz. “Now, to receive this honor on the heels of being assigned as the bishop of both the Fort Worth and Dallas episcopal areas is humbling.
“It is also quite energizing,” he continued. “30 years ago, the faculty, staff and students of Perkins helped cement the foundation of my ministry. Now, we have the opportunity to set the foundations of the church for generations to come. I am honestly more excited about the United Methodist Church 30 years from now.”
Due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Saenz eagerly shared the evening with the 2020 Distinguished Alumni recipients Rev. Don Underwood and Rev. Dr. Sid Hall, and the 2021 Distinguished Alumni honoree Dr. Evelyn Parker.
The SMU Perkins Alumni team recorded the ceremonies and graciously shared the following video replay of Bishop Saenz's comments to those gathered to honor the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Perkins Distinguished Alumni. You may view those remarks below or visit the CTC Vimeo page to download and share.