Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble
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Julius Calvin Trimble
Resident Bishop
Iowa Area, The United Methodist Church
Julius Calvin Trimble was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is the fourth child of John (deceased) and Marybelle Trimble, both of Montgomery, Alabama. At the age of 16, he answered the call to ministry while an active youth member of Christ United Methodist Church in Chicago.
Higher education began at Eureka College located in Eureka, Illinois. While in attendance there, his studies included history and religion. He transferred to Illinois State University where Bishop Trimble met his future wife, Racelder Grandberry, and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology. He earned his Masters in Divinity at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary.
Ordained Deacon and Elder in the Northern Illinois Conference, Bishop Trimble served two churches: South Deering UMC in Chicago and Emmanuel UMC in North Chicago. In 1987, the Trimble family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio. While in the East Ohio Conference, Bishop Trimble served the Mount Pleasant UMC in Cleveland, as Cleveland District Superintendent, and as Senior Pastor of the Aldersgate UMC in Warrensville Heights, OH. On July 18, 2008, Bishop Julius Trimble was elected to the Episcopacy by the North Central Jurisdiction. On September 1, 2008, he became the Resident Bishop of the Iowa Area.
In addition to his service in the Iowa Annual Conference, Bishop Trimble has served as Adjunct Instructor at Baldwin Wallace College and Methodist Theological Seminary. He has served on the General Board of Church and Society. Bishop Trimble remains a life Trustee of the St. Luke’s Foundation of Cleveland, and established the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Luncheon and Lecture Series at Cory UMC. In 1998 he received the Outstanding Alumni Award from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and in 2007 the Bishop James S. Thomas Social Action Award from the Methodist Federation for Social Action at Lakeside, Ohio.
He is the President of the North Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops, co-chair of the Interagency Immigration Task Force, President of the Ebony Bishops, serves on the General Board of Discipleship and the North Central Jurisdiction Mission Council.
Bishop Trimble has a true heart to serve the people. He has been a leader in the faith based response to domestic violence and has encouraged the establishment of mental health ministries at the local church and conference level. Bishop Trimble has traveled to and preached in both West and South Africa. He chaired the Africana Hymnal Study Committee. Bishop Trimble has and continues to be a strong advocate for education and social justice; because of this, the Rev. Dr. Julius C. Trimble Endowment Scholarship was established.
For over 30 years, Bishop Trimble has been married to Racelder Grandberry-Trimble, a graduate of Illinois State University and Methodist Theological Seminary. She is a professional counselor, the founder of Head and Heart Ministries, Inc., a staunch advocate for children and families, and a committed community volunteer. In 2009, she established the “True Vine Ministry,” an encouragement ministry for clergy spouses and families in the Iowa Annual Conference. The Trimbles are the parents of three young adult children: Cameron Calvin, Candiace Racelder, and Julius Thomas.
Bishop Trimble’s Mission Statement:
“To encourage all people with the love of Jesus Christ to rise to their highest potential.”
Revised February 2012