World’s oldest historically Black denomination to gather 15,000 delegates and observers in Columbus, Ohio.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 52nd Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church will feature the church in worship and at work from August 21 to 28, 2024, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. The AME Church is the world’s oldest Protestant denomination, established by persons of African descent.
Since 1816, the AME Church has convened at least every four years to review and change the denomination’s laws and policies, receive reports from its agencies, and elect denominational leadership. The guiding theme and scripture for the General Conference is “The Pandemics, the Promise and the Plan,” drawn from Jeremiah 29:11. Over 15,000 delegates and observers will attend in person, representing 41 countries on five continents. Due to the global pandemic, most AME representatives outside the United States could not attend the 51st General Conference held in 2021.
“We are elated the 52nd Session of our Quadrennial General Conference will be vastly different in Ohio than the 51st Session in Florida,” states AME Senior Bishop Adam J. Richardson. “It is important that members and leaders from outside the United States have their voices heard, not only as we worship in different tongues and accents, but also as we deliberate critical matters with global consequence.”
An open press conference will occur on August 23 at 12:30 PM EDT. Key events include a Gala Scholarship Banquet on August 20th and an HBCU Night and Gospel Concert on August 25th featuring gospel artist Maurette Brown Clark and the Wilberforce University Gospel Choir. Bishop James Davis will give the Episcopal Address on August 21, outlining the denomination’s priorities, and the election for Bishops, General Officers, and Judicial Council will occur on August 26th.
Bishop Frank M. Reid III, President of the AME Council of Bishops affirms, “The AME Church has come to Columbus to declare Good News—Love is liberation that never fails to build faith, sets people free to develop their potential and creates families, nations and institutions that become the ‘beloved community.’”
Several of the events and all worship services will be available for streaming on multiple platforms including the AME Church YouTube Channel, Facebook page, and website. The closing worship service on August 28 at 9 AM will also be broadcast on the Word Network. Preachers for the worship services include Senior Bishop Richardson, Presiding Bishop of the 10th Episcopal District; Bishop Paul J. M. Kawimbe, Presiding Prelate of the 14th Episcopal District; Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield; Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding Bishop of the 6th Episcopal District and Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Tex.
A daily “Morning Manna” service will feature preachers from across the Connectional Church including: the Reverend Paul Messiah, Presiding Elder, Cape District, South Africa; Rev. Laveeshia Pryor, Pastor, Saint John AME Church, Frankfort, Ky.; Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Hooper, St. Luke AME Church, Newark, N.J.; Rev. Dr. Leondra Stoney, Bethel AME Church, McClellanville S.C.; Rev. Dr. Rodrecus M. Johnson, Jr., Anderson Chapel, Kileen, Tex.; and Rev. Dr. James R. Hooper, Presiding Elder, Monticello-Warren District, Ark.
The AME Church General Conference has received sponsorship from several groups including: Truist Bank, the Conference of National Black Churches, Payne Theological Seminary and the American Cancer Society.
General Conference Commission Chair Bishop James Davis states, “There’s no doubt the AME Church is at a moment in history where we’ve never imagined such rapid cultural shifts. These challenges force us to clearly understand the necessary innovative opportunities that will make a difference in the lives of our constituents and stakeholders. The AME Church is here in Columbus, Ohio, to critically examine all possibilities for being at the forefront and ensure we make a transformative difference in our changing world. We came to work!”
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Contact:
John Thomas III
African Methodist Episcopal Church
6156010450
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Religion News Service or Religion News Foundation.
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