Robert T. Hoshibata

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Robert Tsugio Hoshibata is a Japanese-American Bishop of The United Methodist Church, elected in 2004.

1 Birth and Family
2 Education
3 Ordained Ministry
4 Episcopal Election
5 References
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Birth and Family

Robert was born 11 October 1951 in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Wahiawa, Hawaii. He married Greta Goo on 10 August 1974. They have three children: Courtney, Lauren and Blake.

[edit] Education

Robert earned a B.A. degree in 1973 from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, graduating with high honors. He was a Crusade Scholar (1974-77) while pursuing his D.Min. degree from Claremont School of Theology, graduating in 1977. He also completed post-graduate study at the Pacific School of Religion (1979) and the Vancouver School of Theology (1984).

[edit] Ordained Ministry

Robert's first position was as the Youth Minister of the First Congregational Church of Portland, Connecticut (1970-71). He then served as a Ministerial Intern at Kahalu'u U.M.C., Parker U.M.C. and Palolo U.M.C. in Hawaii (1974-75). He was the Youth Minister of the North Gardena U.M.C. in Gardena, California, (1973-74, 1975-77), then appointed as Senior Pastor of the same congregation (1977-84). He served 1984-98 as Senior Pastor of Blaine Memorial U.M.C., Seattle, Washington. In 1998 he was appointed Superintendent of the Seattle District of the U.M.C., a position he held until elected to the Episcopacy. Dr. Hoshibata also served as Co-superintendent of the Tacoma District from 1 January until 1 September, 2004. He served as the Dean of the Cabinet of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference (2002-04).

[edit] Episcopal Election

Bishop Hoshibata was the first of two Bishops elected in 2004 in the Western Jurisdictional Conference of the U.M. Church, meeting in San Jose, California. Balloting began at 1:46 p.m. (PT) on 15 July. His election came on the 12th ballot, on 16 July. Eighty-eight delegates were voting. Bishop Hoshibata was consecrated during a 17 July worship service at Los Altos U.M.C. in Los Altos, California. He was assigned to the Portland Episcopal Area (the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference), beginning his duties 1 September 2004.