Bishop Monroe Makes Major Moves

Saturday, November 6, 2021



Fuquay Varina, North Carolina- The 142nd session of the Central North Carolina Annual Conference concluded virtual proceedings Saturday, November 6, 2021, Senior Bishop Kenneth Monroe, Presiding. This highly anticipated conference had participants and spectators on the edge of their seats as they awaited inevitable changes resulting from the election of Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Sr., former Pastor of Simon Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Fayetteville, NC and former Presiding Elder of the St. Croix District, Virgin Islands Annual Conference this past July.

Simon Temple now awaits the arrival of their new pastor, Rev. Dr. Keith Tillet- pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church in Trenton, NJ. The Rev. Dr. Maurice A. Harden, Pastor of Rush Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in Raleigh. NC will succeed Bishop Thompson as Presiding Elder of St. Croix.

Grace A.M.E. Zion Church also in Raleigh was made available back in October 2021 with the appointment of Rev James Davis, III to Martin Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Chicago, IL. Rev. Nathaniel Cox, former Pastor of Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church in Pittsburg, PA will return to his home conference to Pastor Grace.

Three Districts received new Presiding Elders this session. The Rev. Chalmers McDouglad, former Presiding Elder of the Sanford District is the new Presiding Elder for the Laurinburg District. He succeeds Rev. Dr. James French as French is made Chief Pastor of the Dunn-Lillington District- a post formerly held by Rev. Hanna Broome.

“Rev. Broome is taking a leave of absence to further pursue higher education”, explained Bishop Monroe.

Finally, the newly appointed Presiding Elder, Rev. Dr. Orlando Dowdy replaces Chalmers McDougald as Presiding Elder of the Sanford District.