08/23/2026
Today, the African Methodist Episcopal Church convened the first meeting of the General Board under the leadership of Bishop David Rwhynica Daniels, Jr., the 124th elected and consecrated Bishop of the AME Church and our Ecumenical Officer & Endorsing Agent.
Bishop Daniels opened the session with a powerful message of faith, unity, and hope:
**“Good morning, Bishops of the Church, General Officers, Connectional Officers, our Leadership on every level, Beloved General Board Family.
I greet each of you in the matchless, marvelous, and mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as your newly elected President and Presiding Officer, not in my own strength, but in the potent and powerful strength of the Lord.
We are a Church going through serious challenges. I will not minimize them. But with uncompromising and unwavering faith in God, I come before you today with an unshakable conviction: With God, all things are possible. Matthew 19:26.
God is in this with us. We are not alone. His Holy Spirit is present, and His Holy Spirit will guide us through this difficult season.
For 239 years as a people, since 1787, and 210 plus years as a Denomination, since April 9, 1816, God has guided us, God has provided for us, and God has brought us through far more difficult times than this. And what God has done, God will do again!
Therefore, hear the Word of the Lord: Our future is brighter than our past. Yes, brighter than even this present moment. Because we are a Church chosen by God.
I believe God will provide every resource, every dollar we need to be victorious and to be debt-free as a Church. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.
We are coming through this with flying colors — by God's grace, by His mercies, by His providence, by His provision, by His strength and compassion for us as a Church family.
So let us do this work today with hope, with unity, and with faith. To God the Father who chose us, God the Son who redeemed us, and God the Holy Spirit who sustains us be all the glory.
I call this meeting to order in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Thank you.”**
A historic and hope‑filled beginning to this new season of leadership in African Methodism.