Global Development Council 2020
By Rev. Lisa Hammonds
The Executive Board of the Global Development Council (GDC) convened February 17-20, 2020, at the beautiful Holiday Inn Resort in Montego Bay, on the island of Jamaica. Representatives from the Connectional church gathered to discuss important issues to Districts 14-20.
Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield and the 16th Episcopal District were gracious hosts as they welcomed delegates, dignitaries, and guests to this auspicious meeting. The grounds were well kept and the staff was attentive to all needs. The Logistic Chair, the Rev. Florance McElroy, greeted the body and explained that many of the gifts presented to the delegation and guests were given to maintain the environment.
The sermon for the opening worship and communion service was delivered by Bishop Harry Lee Seawright, the presiding prelate of the 9th Episcopal District and the president of the Council of Bishops for the AME Church. He used John 3:16-17 as the text for his sermon, “One Jesus, One Blood, and One Faith.” Intertwining his testimony into the exegesis, Bishop Seawright reminded us that the Lord orchestrates our steps, inserting the right people into our lives and allowing things to happen, despite our ability to see it.
Also on Monday, the GDC spent time sharing and making the transition to the work of the GDC. There was a time of remembrance for those who had died since the last GDC. They included the Rev. Obakeng Poloko Jackals, the secretary of the GDC, who died just before the meeting. Others included the Rev. Margaret Fadehan, a presiding elder in the 14th District; the Rev. Dr. Albert D. Tyson, III, the president of the Connectional Presiding Elders’ Council; Sister Valerie Bell, the president of the Connectional Lay Organization; and Bishop Frederick Hilborn Talbot. The GDC also remembered the presiding elders of the 15th District who died and the family of Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah who also died before the meeting of the GDC.
On Tuesday, the Rev. Willem Burger was elected to serve as secretary of the GDC and the formal organization of the GDC commenced. Legislation was discussed and presentations were made by the general officers as it pertained to various issues in districts 14-20.
On Tuesday afternoon, Bishop Henning Byfield excused herself as she was a Beautiful Are The Feet Honoree at the Samuel D. Proctor Conference in Crystal City, Virginia. Bishop David R. Daniels, the presiding prelate of the 15th Episcopal District, ran the meeting with great efficiency.
The Rev. Florance M McElroy, the pastor of Chapel of Christ Our Redeemer in Kingston, Jamaica, coordinated—as part of the GDC—a missional training and various mission trips with the Rev. Dr. Miriam Burnett and the Rev. Dr. William Campbell. Dr. Miriam Burnett, the medical director of the AME Church Health Commission and other members of her team, local health representatives, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and members of Chapel of Christ Our Redeemer participated. They visited a school and home in Montego Bay. They also went to Kingston’s St. Jude Primary School and spoke to more than 500 children in grades one through six about STEM, STEAM, and STREAM careers. Their award-winning choir ensemble performed for the contingency. GDC representatives then traveled to the Melody House, where they shared with 14 girls ages 14-17. The outpouring of love and spirit that flowed was truly inspirational. Additionally, workshops were held during the GDC and Sickle Cell kits were donated. Several pieces of legislation were discussed and placed for action by the General Conference.
The sermon for the closing worship service was delivered by the Rev. Garland Pierce, the executive director of the AME Church Department of Christian Education. Using Luke 5:1-11, he preached, “Night Shift and Day Work.” Complete with visual aids, the Rev. Pierce dynamically illustrated that there is still much work to do that can be accomplished when we launch into the deep waters, use our resources, and work together in new ways with new perspectives.
Other bishops present included Bishop Stafford Wicker, the presiding prelate of the 18th Episcopal District; Bishop Ronnie Brailsford, the presiding prelate of the 20th Episcopal District, and Bishop Paul J.M Kawimbe. Excused were Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah, the presiding prelate of the 17th Episcopal District, Bishops E. Earl McCloud, the presiding prelate of the 14th and 19th Episcopal Districts, and the Rev. Newton Dixon, the treasurer of the GDC.
Other general officers in attendance included Dr. Richard A. Lewis, Sr., the treasurer/CFO; the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Cooper, the general secretary/CIO; and the Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, the president/publisher of the Sunday School Union. Connectional officers present were the Rev. Maurice Wright, the director of Music and Christian Arts Ministry (MCAM); Rev. Myron Hill, the assistant director of MCAM; Robert Nicolas, the executive director of SADA; the Rev. Francine Brookins, former member of the Judicial Council; Monroe Miller, the president of Sons of Allen; and the Rev. Natalie Mitchem, the executive director of the AME Church Health Commission. The Rev. Dr. Michael Joseph Brown, the president of Payne Theological Seminary was also in attendance. Many candidates for Episcopal service were also present.
The weather was beautiful and provided a perfect setting for discussing matters pertinent to Districts 14-20. The full impact of the gathering will not be realized for some time but the fellowship lives on.
