Our Pastor

Rev. Alethea Botts is an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, currently serving as Lead Pastor of Gaines United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. She holds a Master’s Degree in Divinity from the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Franklin University in Columbus. Prior to seminary and pastoral ministry, Alethea worked for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as a Director of EEO and Human Resources.

As a pastor, Alethea is no stranger to ministry in Southern Ohio. She previously served as the Executive Pastor of Rolling Plains Church in Zanesville, Ohio; Lead Pastor of New Beginnings United Methodist Church in Pomeroy, Ohio; and Pastor of Tarlton UMC and South Perry UMC, all located in Southeastern Ohio.

As a spiritual leader, God has gifted Alethea with a personality that is genuine, welcoming, and loving. This gift enables her to build and sustain meaningful relationships and ministries. She values diversity in relationships and spiritual gifts and looks for opportunities to affirm and to connect those gifts in missional ministries.

With love as her foundation and the sincere belief that all people have worth and value, Alethea lives out of and into a theology of “Love” – an essential marker of Christian Faith according to Christ in Matthew 22:36-40, and John 13:35. This spiritual center forms the basis for her work as a servant leader.

Pastor Alethea has a strong sense of self, and a growing sensitivity of her relational impact on others. She believes that authentic relationships are vital to congregational growth and well-being. Alethea believes that a grace-filled way of relating gives her access into people’s lives – access that creates trust in pastoral care; and gives her the privilege of being able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Alethea is married to Thomas E. Botts, a retired Licensed Electrician. They have been married for 29 years, and her husband fully encourages and is actively involved in ministry with her. Alethea and “Tommy” have four adult children, nine grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. They enjoy entertaining family & friends, and weekly date nights!

Pastor Alethea’s favorite scripture is John 8:32 “…and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free…”