Kempner United Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of Kempner and the surrounding community.  We do this through meaningful worship, spiritual formation and missional service to the world around us.


Our Pastor:

Rev. Virginia O. (Ginger) Bassford, PhD

​“Ginger,” is a native of Albert Lea, Minnesota and was the year’s first baby in Worth County, Iowa. She was transplanted to Texas at less than three months of age and has called Texas home ever since. She grew up in the Austin area and then in the seventh grade her parents moved to Manor (east of Austin) where she was the first female member of the Manor HS FFA and drum major of the band.  She is a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin with a BLS in English Writing. The Bassford family moved to Euless so that Ginger could attend Perkins School of Theology at SMU. While working on her Masters of Divinity, Ginger pastored several small churches in Navarro and Limestone Counties. She was ordained Deacon in 1994 and Elder in 1999. She completed her PhD in Family Studies at Texas Woman’s University in 2008. She is author of multiple published articles and a book published by Abingdon in 2008, Lord, I Love the Church: And We Need Help! In January 2017 she was adjunct faculty at TCU, Brite Divinity School where she taught Church Leadership. In 2022 she taught Missiology in the Perkins Course of Study School.  Ginger loves the church, loves talking with people about God and Godly things, and has done so as her vocation for over 35 years. Before that, she worked in the operating room for about 13 years as a surgical assistant for two neurosurgeons and then for a group of orthopedic surgeons. Currently, she is working in a retired part-time capacity at Kempner UMC. Ginger and her husband Ken ranch over 100 Boer goats, 4 llamas, 10 Dexter cattle, Guineas and Chickens at their place north of Lampasas in Adamsville, Texas. They also have two grown children complete with spouses and three wonderful, brilliant, creative grandchildren.  Playing with baby goats is something Ginger thinks everyone in healing professions should be required to do on a regular basis. In addition, she loves to garden, sew, quilt, and do stain glass work. Her favorite hobby is learning – about anything! Recently that has been regenerative agriculture. 

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We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!

Telephone 682-294-0107


PO Drawer 549
Kempner, TX 76539

Email
[email protected]


​12038 Hwy 190, Kempner, TX  76539