Meet the New Presiding Elder of the Trinidad and Tobago District of the A.M.E. Zion Church

(Please note the graphic created should say "District" instead of "Conference".)

Under the leadership of Bishop Michael Frencher, Sr., Rev. Dr. Anthony Witherspoon was appointed Presiding Elder of the Trinidad and Tobago District during the Midwest Joint Check-Up meeting on October 2, 2021. Dr. Witherspoon, who has nearly 40 years of ministry in the AME Zion Church, currently serves as the pastor of Washington Metropolitan in Saint Louis, Missouri, and as President of the International Ministers and Lay Association. Dr. Witherspoon expressed, “I am honored to serve having followed the outstanding leadership of Rev. Dr. Eleazar Merriweather and others who successfully served in this position; and I am extremely thankful to Bishop and Mrs. Frencher for such an auspicious appointment.”

This appointment comes after Witherspoon’s 22-year history of extensive travel in overseas missions within the denomination. His journey began in 1999 to South and Central Africa and continued with impactful undertakings to these nations, later adding Mozambique and Trinidad and Tobago. Moreover, he traveled to Seoul, Korea as an alternate delegate to the World Methodist Council. Witherspoon lends a high level of insight to overseas operations that stems from his experience in the United States Navy.

The newly appointed Presiding Elder inherits a Conference started by Bishop Herbert Bell Shaw in 1975. Churches include Shaw Temple and Redeeming Grace; and formerly Saint Catherine, Grace, Strickland Temple, Turure Community, and Lighthouse. Leadership in Trinidad has found members of like minds and spirit, working to build the kingdom of God. Pastor Mariam Williams-Thomas of Shaw Temple stated, “We are excited for this appointment because Trinidad and Tobago is a multicultural society. We believe ‘every creed and race finds an equal place.’ Dr. Witherspoon is a spirit-led leader who understands us and he embraces unity.”

Grounded in Zion Methodism, under Witherspoon’s leadership, the Church will fully engage in the fight for social, economic, environmental, and psychological warfare - with the spiritual weapons of the word and practices of Jesus Christ.