Kentucky Annual Conference Successful

Bardstown, KY – The grand ole KY Annual Conference under the leadership of The Rev. Dr. Darryl B. Starnes, Presiding Bishop, convened for the 152nd session in Bardstown, KY. Our meeting was held at the Bardstown United Methodist Church where the red carpet was rolled out and the Holy Spirit rolled in. Our host church, St John AME Zion Church and their Pastor Rev. Roscoe Linton greeted us with hospitality and great food.

Before we stepped into the building, God was blessing us unaware. As the doors swung open in this awesome place of Worship, they opened wide for the Holy Spirit who ushered us into His presence.

The Holy Spirit not only opened doors, but showed up in every sermon. The Communion sermon was offered by Rev. Yolanda Michelle Washington titled “Did You Forget?” taken from 1 Corinthians 11:24-26. She reminded us to do an self examination and not forget why we take communion.

Bishop Starnes gave a powerful and meaningful Episcopal Address on Reviewing Our Practices. Practices that honor God and edify His Kingdom. Our practices must be Divinely Inspired, Time honored, and Biblically based.

During the Annual Sermon, Rev. Steven L. Walker reiterated ​ that “There is no quit,” taken from Galatians 6:7-10. Just knowing that you’ve got to “break” in order to get to your “breakthrough.”

The Holy Spirit did not take a break on Education Night as Rev. Thomas Grinter made sure that we knew we should tell our story in “Do You Remember When” from Deuteronomy 5:12-15. We should connect before we correct.

The next morning the Missionary Prayer Breakfast proved that telling your story was the way to “Worship, Work, and Win.” God’s cheerleader, Rev. Vivian Ogburn proved that Matthew 28:20-25 was the game plan with God being the team owner, Jesus the coach and the Holy Spirit the point guard.

Please do not think that the Holy Spirit was finished. ​Our Memorial Service sermon was preached by Rev. Penny Mucker-Williams who let us know that Jesus is there to help “When The Hurt Keeps Hurting” coming from the book of John 11:1-3, 19, 32-35. She let us know to Pray, Weep, and Stand on the Word of God.

Just to prove that God was still in control, the Missionary sermon was brought by the Presiding Elder of the Louisville District, Rev. Oliver Lacy Evans. As he was causing us to “Ponder” Haggai 1:5, the enemy tried to disrupt but God proved he is still on the throne.

Let us not think that the Holy Spirit left out our Young Adults, Youth or Children. ​After the intergenerational choir sang “Every Praise” and “Hallelujah “ the atmosphere was once again filled with shouts of praise and worship. We had a praise dance by two youths followed by a solo by a young adult.​ The youth and children also performed a dance during Missionary Hour “I Never Lost My Praise.” The message of “The Choice You Make” from Matthew 25:31-46 came from God through Rev. R. Antonio Carter. Rev. Carter reminded us all that the only choice we must make is to “Be Ready.”

The Kentucky Conference choir and St John choir led our Sunday morning worship before our Bishop Rev. Darryl B Starnes brought us a word from the gospel of Matthew 23:23-28. He reminded us of how we can be “Hypocrites” looking beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with hypocrisy and lawlessness.

God continued to lead our Bishop as he gave out appointments to the Kentucky Conference.

Special congratulations to Rev. Eric Palmer Jr. and Rev. LaKendra Hightower on their first pastoral appointments.

It is through prayer every morning lead by Rev. Marcia Cole-Morton that The Grand Ole Kentucky Annual Conference ushered in a Grand, High Time in the Lord. Presiding Elder Rev. Erich Shumake, Pastor Rev. Roscoe Linton, the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and the Bardstown District proved that by reviewing our practices, we will have a Spirit-Filled conference. Although the conference came to a close on June 17, 2018, we praise and thank God for the leadership of our Presiding Bishop Dr. Rev. Darryl B. Starnes and our wonderful Spirit-filled Supervisor, Sister Camille Starnes. Kentucky is off to a running start!