The Sanford District

Sharon Newton has been preaching the gospel for almost 33 years. Her trial sermon was preached in May 1992 in Lexington Park, Maryland. As Presiding Elder, she now is the servant leader of twenty-four congregations.

Her pastorates includes five societies in North Carolina as follow: (1 year) Mt. Zion, Raeford; (1 year) Mt. Hebrew, Parkton;  (6 1/2 years) Terrells Chapel, Pittsboro;  (4 ½ 

years) Olivers Chapel, Staley; and (7 1/2 years) St. James, Red Springs NC.  During her years of ministry, she has focused on building the people as well as constructing and improving the physical plant. She contends that improvements to the physical plant is representative of what God is doing in the spiritual (for we are all under construction). She believes often the Holy Spirit renovates, reconstructs, adds on, builds, and fortifies us spiritually so that we can be effective ambassadors for him. Ultimately, the goal is transformation. To that end, she has led congregations to build fellowship halls, repurpose unused property, purchase, renovate and add to the edifices and parsonage of every charge she has pastored. Discipleship, evangelism and church growth are core components dear to her heart.

This preacher has witnessed the healing power of God in her personal life as well as in the lives of those she serves. After surviving a paralyzing stroke in 2004, thyroid cancer in 2006, a 2013 sepsis battle, brain tumors that affected mobility resulting in her preaching from a wheelchair, small intestine tumors, blockage and re-section (just to name a few). However, this preacher contends- the Lord has been good to her!  Therefore, she refuses to complain! She is extremely thankful for the daily new mercies of God! 

She is proud of her matriculation at Livingstone College & Hood Theological Seminary. She also attended other institutions of higher learning resulting in her earning her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, Master of Divinity & Doctor of Ministry. Before full-time ministry- she worked for the Maryland State Government, an apprentice funeral director and embalmer with CE Willie Funeral & Cremation Services, and as an educator at the Laurinburg District Christian School.  She served the Laurinburg District as Pastor, District Director of Evangelism, Dean of Local Preacher & Exhorter Academy and serves as an Eastern North Carilina Episcopal District Studies Preaching instructor.  In November 2022, she was named Presiding Elder of the St. Croix District, US Virgin Islands Conference. There she serves as Budget Chair, Conference Studies Dean, Holy Orders Chair, and Conference Trustee. She is the mother of two daughters, Chiquanna & Jamika. She absolutely loves spending time with her four grandchildren who range from ages 15- 22. She was named Presiding Elder of the Sanford District of the Central North Carolina Conference at the Checkup Meeting on May 25, 2024.  Anointed and appointed for such a time as this, please allow the ministry of Rev. Sharon B. Newton to bless your life!