By Mrs. Joan Phillips-Bennett, 16th Episcopal District
Leadership in the church is not without its challenges, and true leaders are often defined not by their perfection but by their ability to learn, grow, and guide others with humility and grace. One such leader recently exemplified this during a country-wide church conference in April 2025. The Jamaica Conference welcomed Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath and Supervisor Dr. Susan J. Leath at General Conference 2024. Then, the strategic Bishop Leath decided to visit Jamaica in October of 2024 as he followed through with his visit to every church in the country. He travelled diverse terrains to see the distance and quality of travel that clergy and membership had to experience to hear a word from the Lord, as well as serve the members of each community. As a result, this decision prompted Bishop Leath to consider the necessary changes for a more effective conference.
The Jamaica Annual Conference 2025: themed: Revive Us Again: Spiritually Strong, which was held April 23-27, 2025, at the St. John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church in Palmers Cross, Clarendon, under the leadership of the Rev. Opal Morrison-Dunkley, started with pre-conference activities: an outstanding business session from the Women’s Missionary Society, which was followed by their “Night in White” as they worshipped and welcomed the Holy Spirit. On the opening day of the conference, Bishop Leath transformed the church into a classroom as he went through concepts that needed a different lens. This included budget management, ministry planning, community impact, the dance between secular and sacred, political mixing, as well as the correlation to corruption and organizational decisions. Bishop Leath became a powerful example of God’s redeeming grace and the strength of servant leadership.
Throughout the conference, Bishop Leath displayed remarkable transparency and humility, reminding us that “We may not be able to fix the law that others have broken, but we don’t have to continue the trend by breaking the law as well.” Officers and members recognized a safe space to openly acknowledge their past mistakes and mindsets, using these as teaching moments for themselves and others. Rather than focusing on defending themselves or covering up any previous failures, they demonstrated that true leadership is rooted in honesty and accountability. By sharing their journey of growth, they inspired others to see mistakes not as final defeats, but as opportunities for learning and renewal.
The Young People and Children’s Division executed a tremendous business session as they welcomed a new executive board with more young men stepping into leadership. The Episcopal District gifted Conference YPD Director, Mrs. Kayann Levy-Becaroo, who served more than eight (8) years serving the Jamaica Conference youths, with an appreciation plaque for her commitment and hard work. Then, in YPD fashion, they flipped the switch, and tears of joy turned into laughter as young and old showed off their old school flair! “Hymns of Old” were sung and performed in true AME style.
The conference itself became a living testimony of their transformation and commitment to excellence, marked by numerous strategic shifts and key appointments. Importantly, the leader cultivated an environment of grace and inclusion, ensuring that everyone felt valued and heard.
What stood out most (to both delegates and observers) was Bishop Leath’s approach to teaching and mentoring throughout the conference. Rather than judging or condemning others for their mistakes, he extended compassion and understanding, even during a shift for the better. His authenticity resonated deeply with pastors, component leaders, and lay members alike. By modelling humility and perseverance, he taught us that leadership is not about being flawless, but about being faithful and willing to serve.
The conference was not just a success in terms of organization and impact, as Bishop Leath shared with us the following statement: “If every church were like mine, would my neighbour find a good church?” The conference was a testament to the power of transformation, reminding all who attended that God truly equips those God calls.
