Dr. George Flowers Honored with the Doctorate of Humane Letters
By Tanya Gibson Morris
More than 2,500 persons gathered at the Samuel K. Doe Stadium in Monrovia, Liberia, for the 2019 Commencement Exercises where Dr. George Francis Flowers was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Attorney Patricia Russell-McCloud, an internationally-acclaimed motivational speaker based in Atlanta, Georgia, was the commencement speaker for 347 graduates of AME University. The enrollment at AME University is 5,246 students.
The presentation of this degree to Dr. Flowers recognized his work in the AME Church as the executive director for the Department of Global Witness and Ministry, where he has served since the 2000 General Conference. He has been re-elected five times to continue his stellar service around the world.
Dr. Flowers was educated in the public schools of Columbia, South Carolina. In 1969, he obtained the Bachelor of Science Degree from Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina. In 1972, he earned the Master of Divinity Degree from the Interdenominational Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. His early years of ministry were in South Carolina which began in 1959, where he served as a student assistant. He was assigned from 1964-2000 to a variety of pastoral assignments in the 7th Episcopal District. During this period, he also served five years in the United States Army as a chaplain, where he obtained the rank of Captain.
During the graduation ceremonies, President Joseph Issac of AME University cited several reasons for awarding Dr. Flowers the honorary degree. Ecumenically, Dr. Flowers served on the Housing Authority Board of Charleston, South Carolina, and as a member of the Charleston Trident United Way. He is the longest-serving member on the Church World Service Board of Directors in New York, New York. Since being elected, he has also served as a delegate to the World Methodist Conference for the AME Church which meets every five years.
His travels have taken him through the Republic of South Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Bermuda, England, Rome, Paris, Egypt, Singapore, Germany-Europe, Korea, Australia, India, South American, North Kenya, and other countries in Central, Southern, East, and West Africa. He is a life member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and has been presented the 1985 and 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award from Turner Theological Seminary.
Historically, in West Africa, he is known as the general officer with “money in his socks.” Throughout his world travels, he has remained alert to the needs of the people. Through his on-site assessment, he has generously supported just causes for the betterment of humankind, especially in the AME Church. Specifically, his contributions have been life-changing as he has financially assisted matriculating students; ensured educational materials for students who may have otherwise been denied; and, identified incubator businesses, the success of which have empowered women entrepreneurs to support their families through their gainful self-employment.
Recently, in Ghana, Dr. Flowers funded a Ghana Annual Conference WMS project to evangelize persons for the AME Church which provided advertising and employment through a microeconomic project called the “Ghana Conference WMS Waste Management and Collection Project.” This program was introduced to Dr. Flowers in the Accra Ghana Airport Holiday Inn Hotel by members of the WMS and he funded the purchase of licenses and a three-wheeled vehicle at $1,750 to begin the project. This project has grown to nine employees and three vehicles in two years. The microeconomic program increased the presence of the AME Church in the community of the AME Church and increased the Sunday offerings for churches, as the business owners now have additional income.
Servant leadership has been the calling card and signature of this noteworthy and highly-deserving honoree. He has consistently felt the pulse of the people with interest, compassion, and the required sensitivity to meet people at their point of need. Dr. Flowers has empowered and improved the plight of numerous beneficiaries across the miles. His commitment to the growth and development of people, while building community, has codified his work that has produced a long and impressive portfolio of a faith leader who has vision, empathy, and genuine concern that people be able to maximize their potential. This global icon has prioritized the needs of others. His work and mission alignment are qualitatively measurable and his example is worthy of emulation.
