Petersburg District Has New Leadership

The Petersburg District of the Virginia Conference, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church welcomes the Rev. T. Kenneth Venable and his wife Gene back to the area as Presiding Elder and First Lady. He will serve under the leadership of Bishop W. Darin Moore, Presiding Prelate of Mid Atlantic Episcopal District. Rev. Venable is a native of Baltimore, MD and a graduate of Morgan State University. He is no stranger to the Petersburg community. Following his retirement as Major in the United States Army from Fort Lee, he made his home in the area and joined the Greater Faith AME Zion Church under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. Kenneth W. Arrington, Sr., where he preached his trial sermon. Following his service as Associate Minister and his ordination, Rev. Venable was called to serve as pastor of the Saint Mary’s AME Zion Church in Sedley, Virginia, then on to the Oak Street AME Zion Church in Petersburg.

In 2005, Rev. Venable was transferred to the Philadelphia/Baltimore Conference under the leadership of Bishop Warren Matthew Brown. It was there he served as Pastor of the Wesley Union AME Zion Church in Harrisburg, PA and Clinton AME Zion Church in Clinton, MD. He and his wife were appointed to several offices under Bishop Brown and the late Bishop Richard Keith Thompson. It was during the 150th Annual Session of the Virginia Conference of the AME Zion Church, held in Hampton, VA where Rev. Venable was appointed as Presiding Elder of the Petersburg District.

In his new role, Presiding Elder Venable will serve as the Chief Pastor of the twelve churches in the Petersburg District. These churches with individual Pastors are located in Brunswick County, Lunenburg County, Chesterfield County, Nottoway County, Petersburg, and Richmond. He will also serve as Administrator of the Dinwiddie Institute and Wellness Center. Both he and his wife bring with them a wealth of church and corporate leadership experience; and along with God’s guidance, the Petersburg District is bound for even greater levels.

He is married to Callen Gene Venable who is also a native of Baltimore and graduate of Morgan State University. Mrs. Venable served as an officer in the United States Army and is a retired federal employee. They have two children: Keith of Miami, Florida and Dr. Erika (Rodney) Venable-Johnson of Chester, Virginia. They also have three grandchildren, Taylor, Mya and Tyler.

The pastors, ministers, and laity of the Petersburg District proudly welcome this awesome couple, Presiding Elder and Mrs. T. Kenneth Venable “back home.”