Presiding Elder Ronald Braxton Honored by Wesley Theological Seminary
By Evan Taylor, 2nd Episcopal District
Potomac District Presiding Elder Dr. Ronald Eugene Braxton was honored at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, District of Columbia, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Dr. Braxton, who serves the Washington Annual Conference in the Second Episcopal District, was recognized as a 2009 doctor of ministry graduate who has contributed to the recruitment, mentoring, and support of many African Methodist Episcopal Church students, graduates, and alums. The Norfolk native was presented a certificate and canvas tote filled with Wesley paraphernalia during the chapel service welcoming Wesley’s Association of Black Alumni back to campus in Oxnam Chapel.
Current AME students, graduates, and alums participated in the service, including the Rev. Dr. Marion Crayton, the Rev. Chania Dillard, the Rev. Dr. Kellie Hayes, Evan Taylor, Ruth Jackson, the Rev. Kent Roberson, and the Rev. Dr. William M. Campbell, Jr. The service also included a message from Chief Executive Officer, author, and media commentator, Joshua DuBois, Former Director White House Office of Community and Faith-Based Initiatives in the Obama administration.
“We are here to honor the exemplary and steadfast ministerial service he has given the kingdom of God through the AME Church for 55 years,” Rev. Dr. Hayes shared in her introduction of Dr. Braxton. “I’m proud to say that he is my Elder…I’m grateful to say that not only has he served as an exemplary preacher, but [also] as a compassionate leader to those whom he has charge and responsibility for,” Hayes said. “I’m honored and blessed today to present to some and introduce to others a scholar, a senior statesman, and a man of God, Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Braxton.”
“To me, this is a signal honor. I’m deeply grateful that my years in ministry and my work in kingdom building are being recognized today. I’m humbly blessed by this occasion,” said Rev. Dr. Braxton.
Elder Braxton thanked his wife, the Rev. Dr. Marie Phillips Braxton, for 44 years of marriage as he discussed the impact of Wesley on his ministry.
“Wesley played a major role in my ministry… I was clear that earning a doctorate would not help me earn another dime or advance my role in the life of the church; I had accomplished much. It was something that I wanted for myself. This place known as Wesley and this ministry taking place at Wesley gave new life and new meaning to my work. It re-ignited a flame that had been swallowed up in the day-to-day pastoral ministry.”
Dr. Braxton mentioned the shifts in theological education and predicted that theological education would not be “less desirable and less important” in the future. “Thank God for places like Wesley and that they are still on the cutting edge of time, shaping minds and igniting and reigniting the flames of the spirit. Our country and our world still need us.”
He closed his acceptance with, “As co-creators in the divine plan, I believe we are not yet what we ought to be. Though we are created in [God’s] image, we are not yet like [God]. Thus the faith, the country, the world, and the church, need this institution–Wesley Theological Seminary. Thank you so much.”
Dr. Braxton earned his D. Min. from Wesley in 2009 while serving as Pastor at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, District of Columbia. He has served for 55 years following receiving his license to preach in March 1967. As an ordained Itinerant Elder, he has served the following pastorates: Bethel (Lynn, Massachusetts); Allen (Baltimore, Maryland); Emmanuel (Portsmouth, Virginia); Waters (Baltimore, Maryland), and for 13 years, Metropolitan (Washington, District of Columbia after which he served as Presiding Elder of the Potomac District of the Washington Annual Conference.
The Rev. Dr. Braxton has experienced significant moments in his ministry, including hosting the national memorial service for Deaconess Rosa Parks, hosting a Martin Luther King Jr. event with guest Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and two preaching services with President Obama and his family as guests. He has served the Episcopal District, the Annual Conference, and the Connectional AME Church in many capacities. For three quadrennials, he served as chair of the Second Episcopal District’s delegation to the General Conference.
The full service can be viewed on the Wesley Theological Seminary’s YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/live/kzP0k8cTLLU.
