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We, the Board of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, would like to congratulate the Catholic Church on the election of a new pope! The election of Robert Francis Prevost is historic in the life of the Catholic Church. The new pope is the first American-born Pope from the United States, having been born in Chicago, IL. The new pope has chosen the name Leo XIV. Pope Leo XIV is known as a leader with global experience. He spent much of his career as a missionary in South America and, most recently, led a powerful Vatican office for…
Official Statement from the Board of Bishops Regarding the Death of Bishop George Edward Battle, Jr.
We, the Board of Bishops of The A.M.E. Zion Church, acknowledge with great sorrow the passing of our colleague and former Senior Bishop, Bishop George Edward Battle, Jr., who passed away on yesterday, Sunday, March 9, 2025. Bishop Battle was elected our 84th Bishop in the line of succession at the 44th Quadrennial General Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in July 1992. Upon his election, he was assigned to the South Atlantic Episcopal District, and upon the death of Bishop Herman L. Anderson, he also served the Central North Carolina Conference and the Virgin Island Conference. In 1996, he was assigned…
Greetings in the matchless name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The mineral-rich eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has for decades been dogged by conflict between various armed groups and the central government for control over its mineral resources. The past few weeks have seen a rapid escalation in this conflict, resulting in fighters of the M23 rebel group taking total control of Goma, the largest and most significant city in the East of DRC and also the center of church activities in DRC. Goma is home to over a million people and these…
“But let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24) The recently televised comment by Senator Tommy Tuberville stating, “We gotta get rid of this nonsense of social justice,” reflects a profound ignorance of the struggles of millions of Americans over hundreds of years, including his own Alabamian constituents. Many have been arrested, beaten, and even murdered as they protested for basic human rights long denied them and their communities. They are martyrs for the social justice Senator Tuberville calls “nonsense.” Either Senator Tuberville is dangerously uninformed about what social justice truly is and its…
The results of the U.S elections have been received by some in this country with excitement; however, those same results have caused many others pain and genuine fear of the consequences. The purpose of this letter is not to relitigate the issues raised during the divisive campaign, but it is to offer voice and solidarity with those who are deeply concerned about the most vulnerable in our society. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, “We have some difficult days ahead.” We lament the missed opportunity of what might have been even while we are firmly grounded by a “Faith that…
“A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” (Isaiah 40:3 NRSVUE) It was the late, renowned, and distinguished lawyer, diplomat, and Executive Secretary of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) James Weldon Johnson, and his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson, who put pen to paper and notes to music as they gifted the nation with what would be known as the “The Black National Anthem: Life Every Voice and Sing,” in 1900, during the rise of post-war racial violence and reconstruction. The…
It has been brought to our attention that Bishop Seth O. Lartey has issued a public statement regarding his expected status at the conclusion of the 52nd Quadrennial Session of the General Conference. This is an unfortunate development and another example of the repeated lack of judgment exercised by Bishop Lartey. His public statement preempts and presumes the decision of the Board of Bishops which is not final until it’s announced during the appropriate session of the General Conference. Additionally, after the Board of Bishops issues its statement, the General Conference has the sole and final authority to determine the…
Charlotte, NC November 30, 2023 – The Board of Bishops of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion (A.M.E. Zion) Church proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Iyabode F. Akinsanya-Beysolow, a distinguished medical professional as the Director of Health Ministry for The A.M.E. Zion Church. Dr. Akinsanya-Beysolow brings a wealth of expertise and a commitment to public health to her new role, having previously served as a National Expert Medical Officer for the Centers for Disease Control. During her tenure consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from June 2008 to 2014, Dr. Akinsanya-Beysolow demonstrated exceptional leadership and knowledge in…
Charlotte, NC November 30, 2023 – The Board of Bishops is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Lisa Moore as the new Director of Music Ministry for The African Methodist Episcopal Zion (A.M.E. Zion) Church. A highly accomplished and esteemed psalmist and music director, Dr. Moore brings a wealth of experience and passion for music ministry to her role. The Board of Bishops recognizes her exceptional talent and dedication, making her a valuable asset to The A.M.E. Zion Church’s vibrant musical tradition. Dr. Lisa Moore is a resident of Jackson, Mississippi, where she was reared under the velvet and…
In a stark reminder that elections have real-life consequences, the three justices named to the Supreme Court by Donald Trump have joined three other Republican-nominated justices to issue a ruling that strikes down Affirmative Action, which was a key achievement of the Civil Rights Movement. The monumental implications of this decision are broad, deep, and devastating. After more than 400 years of racial terrorism and stratification of human worth, the Supreme Court has determined that just 40 years of Affirmative Action initiatives have been sufficient to remediate the systemic racism that has acted as shackles on the potential of our…
