Red River Presbytery has endorsed the Reverend Judy Madden for election as Moderator of the 192nd General Assembly scheduled to meet in Denton, Texas in June 2023.

Reverend Judy Madden, is well known In Red River Presbytery as a “leader of leaders.” Judy is an ordained minister on staff at Pathway (formerly St. Matthew) Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where she has served the church professionally for 27 years.

During her tenure, she has witnessed God’s grace and love as the church has grown from 125 in worship when she began, to become the largest church in the denomination with over 1650 active members.

“God’s visions and dreams always disrupt and destabilize the way things are. The supernatural transformation and explosive growth of Pathway Cumberland Presbyterian Church would have never transpired without the gritty, stabilizing, loving and bridge building leadership of Judy Madden.” Rev. Rick Owen, Senior Pastor, Pathway Church

After joining St. Matthew CPC in 1990, Judy, along with her family, became involved in church activities. Judy was commissioned as a Stephen Minister and in 1993 elected to serve as an Elder of the growing church. Her strengths to communicate effectively, to problem-solve, to think creatively and to demonstrate understanding were recognized as church members and guests sought help and assistance.

Judy’s servant leadership led to her being hired as the Director of Lay Ministries in January 1996. Judy commented, “I’ve had the honor to experience every position at the church (with the exception of Administrative Assistant and Senior Pastor) throughout the years. From cleaning the church to overseeing the financial budget, each position has allowed me to grow in wisdom and empathy.”

In 2007, Judy pursued a Masters of Divinity from Brite Seminary while continuing to work full time at St. Matthew. Upon graduation, Judy was ordained by Red River Presbytery and accepted the call as an Associate Pastor at St. Matthew in 2013. This was the long awaited next step of faith to God’s call she heard in her youth.

Judy’s time at Brite strengthened her belief in Cumberland Presbyterian theology. She said, “I fully embrace the historic and essential ‘whosoever will’ theology of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. While I learned other denominations’ polity is full of legalities and rules; I was constantly reminded of our grace-based theology. What a joy it is to share that when God’s love is the core of everything, that which all other laws hang upon, our lives can demonstrate heaven on earth; peace amidst conflict, joy in the midst of pain.”

Today, Judy serves the church as Pastor of Care; overseeing pastoral counseling, funerals/memorials, hospital visits, support groups and is the primary pastoral “point of contact” for those in crisis or death; She has personally officiated more than 70 ‘Celebrations of Life’ since the pandemic began. Judy is the Moderator of the Diaconate, supervises the Director of First Impressions and is a senior member of the Executive Leadership Team.

“Judy knows God is good and working all things out even as crisis hits. She is able to maintain her peace-giving presence in the face of adversity and on behalf of others in crisis because sharing God’s love is her utmost priority.” -Cheyanne Davis, Candidate for Ordination, Pathway Church.

Judy is serving her third time as a commissioner to the General Assembly and she has been chosen as Worship Leader and as a member of the Host Committee. Her leadership and contribution to Red River Presbytery have been far-reaching and significant as a Camp Counselor and Camp Pastor, as Moderator of Red River Presbytery, and as a member of the Christian Education Committee, the Nominating Committee, and the Committee for Preparation for Ministry, where she is currently active.

“The Rev. Judy Madden is a Pastor’s Pastor whose first and last moves are always covered in the love of Christ for all of us. It is my belief that she is called to lead us into oneness in Christ, as the Lord wants.” -Rev. Dr. Perryn Rice, Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas.

Judy’s hometown is Wheaton, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, where she was baptized and became a member of First Presbyterian Church. Judy’s faith and calling into the ministry began at this home church. At the age of 17, she delivered her first sermon to the congregation of 400. Judy graduated from the University of Illinois where she met her future husband of 41 years, David Madden. Guadalupe Mountains National Park in West Texas was their first home; David was a park ranger and Judy was a volunteer guide.

The couple moved to San Angelo Texas where they became active members of St. Paul Presbyterian Church. Judy was called out to be the youngest elder in the history of the church. In the  community, Judy was one of the first graduates of the Leadership San Angelo. Her love for serving others was evident in her work through the years as Field Director for the Girl Scouts of America and Regional Director for the American Heart Association. These leadership positions involved training, business development and relational management which prepared her to grow into the leader she is today.

In 1990, Judy and David moved to Burleson, Texas, south of Fort Worth. They searched for a Presbyterian church and God led them to St. Matthew Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Greeted with great kindness, they knew they were “home” when they walked in the doors.

Judy and David continue to reside in Burleson, Texas. They have two daughters, Janie Latimer and Kate Madden, son-in-law Jared Latimer, and two grandsons, one in heaven- Jackson Latimer and one here on earth- Jensen Latimer.