Bishop Harvey bio
Cynthia Fierro Harvey serves as Bishop of the Texas and Rio Texas Conferences of The United Methodist Church. She provides episcopal leadership to over 500 congregations across a large region of Texas, stretching from Brownsville to Texarkana, Matagorda to San Angelo, and including Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. Previously, she served as bishop of the Louisiana Conference.
Over her 13 years as a bishop, Bishop Harvey has marked several historic firsts. She was the first Hispanic and first female bishop to serve the Louisiana Conference. She is the first Hispanic bishop to provide episcopal leadership in the Texas Conference and the first female bishop to serve the Rio Texas Conference. From 2020 to 2022, she became the first Hispanic woman to serve as President of the Council of Bishops, having previously served as President-Designate (2018–2020) and Secretary (2014–2018).
Before entering ministry, Bishop Harvey worked for 12 years in marketing with The Rouse Company, a shopping center developer.
Current service includes:
Southern Methodist University, Board of Trustees
Perkins School of Theology, Executive Board
Houston Methodist Hospital, Board of Trustees
Texas Methodist Foundation, Board of Trustees
Wiley University, Board of Trustees
Southwestern University, Board of Trustees
Lydia Patterson Institute, Board of Trustees
Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Board of Trustees
General Commission on Archives and History of The United Methodist Church, President
Previous service includes:
Centenary College, Board of Trustees
Dillard University, Board of Trustees
Louisiana United Methodist Foundation, Board of Trustees
Louisiana Interchurch Conference, Board of Trustees
In 2018, Bishop Harvey received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.
Bishop Harvey is passionate about nurturing the spiritual development of young people as they explore a culture of call to lead the future church and cultivate thriving congregations. She is deeply committed to creating spaces where all find belonging, where kinship is celebrated, and where the table is set for God’s beloved community.
She is married to Dean Harvey, who operates his own financial services practice. Together, they are food enthusiasts who enjoy both preparing great meals and discovering favorite restaurants across Texas and beyond. They have one adult daughter, Elizabeth Grace Harvey.