08/17/2026
Bishop Ishmael Charles Reaches Historic Global Church Leadership Milestone
A familiar name in the Virgin Islands' church community for decades, Bishop Ishmael Charles has reached a historic new level of leadership within the Church of God, years after moving on from the Territory where he spent much of his distinguished ministry.
Charles was elected Assistant Director for World Missions at the Church of God's 80th General Assembly, held in Orlando, Florida, from July 28 to 31.
The appointment places Bishop Charles alongside Dr. David Ramirez at the helm of the World Missions Department, with responsibility for churches and ministries across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and Latin America.
The New Testament Church of God is active in more than 197 countries, with more than 10 million members worldwide. In the United States. where it is known as the Church of God, the denomination has approximately 6,000 churches and about one million members.
The World Missions Department oversees more than 40,000 churches and approximately seven million members.
For the VI, Bishop Charles' elevation is particularly significant given the decades he spent serving the Territory and the wider Caribbean.
He served for 34 years as pastor of International Worship Centre, spent 18 years as regional overseer for St. Kitts, Nevis, Dominica, Guadeloupe and the Virgin Islands.
His service also extended to the highest levels of the denomination. Charles spent more than 20 years on the Church of God Executive Council of 18, making him its longest-serving minority member, and served eight years on the World Missions Board.
Now, he has joined Dr. Ramirez as the first international-born leaders elected to head the World Missions Department, a distinction that represents a historic development in the Church of God’s 140-year history.
Approximately 2,000 ordained bishops attended the General Assembly, including a delegation from the Virgin Islands.
Although Bishop Charles is not originally from the VI and moved on from the Territory a few years ago, his long years of ministry here have left a lasting mark on the local church community. His new appointment is therefore being celebrated by many in the VI as a reflection of the impact of his years of service.
Bishop Charles now shares responsibility for guiding the denomination’s global missions work across Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and Latin America.
For those who knew and worked alongside him during his years in the VI, his elevation represents a significant moment — and another chapter in a remarkable life of service.
Look what the Lord has done.
