The Noble North Charlotte District Rises While Lifting

CHARLOTTE, NC – Under the leadership of Presiding Elder J. Wardell Henderson, the North Charlotte District has indeed had an “Impact on the Community Through Ministry. Dr. Henderson and his wife Mrs. Myrtle Henderson have blessed the eighteen churches on the district with tender encouragement, training and heartfelt guidance during the first year since being assigned by Bishop George E. Battle, Jr, Presiding Prelate of the Piedmont Episcopal District and Senior Bishop of the AME Zion Church.

The annual District Conference was held at Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church in Cornelius, NC. Rev. Ellison Bowman is the pastor. The opening sermon, “Revive Us Again”, was preached by Rev. Dr. Dwayne A. Walker, the pastor of Little Rock AME Zion Church, Charlotte, NC. P.E. Henderson added the “Local Preacher’s Hour” to the conference in which all were blessed with dynamic, awe-inspiring sermonettes from eight local preachers: Sis Deanica Crouch, Bro. Charles Bowman, Bro. Milton Baler, Bro. Michael Alston, Bro. Joseph Grant, Sis. Jill Allen and Sister Tammy Bryant. This was a high spirited service that truly had an IMPACT on everyone resulting in a Holy Spirit filled and highly successful conference as evidenced by the reports from the Church School delegates, Lay delegates and the Pastors.

All departments of the WHOMS held hugely successful projects under the leadership of Mrs. Linda Bowman. Amongst them were Suppy Deparment Breakfast and the BUDS of Promise activities. The candlelight service proceeded in a worshipful manner. Rev. Alesia Jones, pastor of Huntersville AME Zion Church preached “Tonight, I’m Going Home Another Way.”

The District Ushers led by Mrs. Narcissus Lowery as well as the Men’s Booster’s by Mr. Melvin Huntley, the Home Missions Workers by Ms. Sandra Pickens and the Jamaica Workers by Mrs. Ada Gaston all were highly successful this year as well.

During the conference year, the Lay Council, led by Mrs. Joyce Zimmerman, held it’s Recognition Banquet, which was very successful as a youth and adult lay person from each local church was recognized for their steadfast efforts locally. She reported a total of 1638 members for the conference year

Mr. Gilbert McRae is the Church School District Director for North Charlotte.

Adhering to the CED Theme: “Focus on Worship” and the Quadrennial Theme: “Retooling Our People”, PE Henderson’s workshop with the clergy was “Vision Casting with the Presiding Elder,” and his daughter, Rev. Cathy Henderson presented “Taking the Ministry Outside the Walls” to the laity. Mrs. Myrtle Henderson was the presenter at the Church School session. Her topic was “Growing The Sunday School. During the year, she enchanted us with her beautiful voice and taught us a song, “We Can Build A Bridge” author unknown:



Let’s work hand in hand, all across this land.

Oh, I know we can build a bridge.

Long and wide and high across the great divide,

I know it’s time to build a bridge.



We can stand united on the common grounds of love,

In spite of all we’ve done and who we are

Though our many differences have driven us apart

Today with all my heart, I pray let the healing start.

Today, let’s work.



This overcoming power we can claim the victory,

If we pray, in one accord, trust and believe,

Yes, hope will grow as vision sore, what joy we’ve never seen

Binding us together as we sing in harmony, O my God., Let’s Work.



As the new conference year begins, PE Henderson expressed his desire that all are needed to be functioning members of the “body of Christ,” to give, to serve, to minister and to evangelize. To move to a higher level, the Noble North Charlotte District will pray, study and seek to be a blessing to others so everyone can rejoice together to the glory of God.