buzzz worthy. . .
One of the foremost voices in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship (FGBCF), Bishop Neil C. Ellis, the head of the Mt. Tabor Church in Nassau, Bahamas, has resigned. Bishop Ellis served in the fellowship for 20 years, most recently as the 2nd in command. Ellis was next in line in the organization's hierarchy and also served on the Council of Bishops.
At the organization's annual conference, Presiding Prelate and Founder Bishop Paul S. Morton made the surprising announcement that Bishop Joseph Walker will become the new head of the organization when he retires in 2015. Implying there may have been dissent in the upper ranks of the FGBCFI, Ellis said at the July event that he spoke to the Bishop about "stepping out of the process because I didn't think it would be good for the fellowship."
Read more details in the the official press release as follows:
One of the foremost voices in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship (FGBCF), Bishop Neil C. Ellis, the head of the Mt. Tabor Church in Nassau, Bahamas, has resigned. Bishop Ellis served in the fellowship for 20 years, most recently as the 2nd in command. Ellis was next in line in the organization's hierarchy and also served on the Council of Bishops.
At the organization's annual conference, Presiding Prelate and Founder Bishop Paul S. Morton made the surprising announcement that Bishop Joseph Walker will become the new head of the organization when he retires in 2015. Implying there may have been dissent in the upper ranks of the FGBCFI, Ellis said at the July event that he spoke to the Bishop about "stepping out of the process because I didn't think it would be good for the fellowship."
Read more details in the the official press release as follows:
After 20 years of committed and dedicated service to the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International, the Senior Pastor of Mount Tabor Full Gospel Baptist Church, Bishop Neil C. Ellis, formally resigned as 2nd Presiding bishop, and a member of the Bishop’s Council with immediate effect.
In a letter addressed to the International Presiding Bishop Paul S. Morton, Bishop Ellis stated, “I am satisfied, after much prayer and reflection that the Holy Spirit is now leading me to bring this season of my life in the Fellowship to a close”.
Bishop Ellis expressed gratitude, “to Almighty God for guiding my heart, hands and mind over the past 20 years as I have transitioned from role to role in our Fellowship and I wish to express gratitude to you for allowing me to serve.” He further recognized, the members of the Bishop’s Council, for the respect and cooperation extended to him particularly during the last 11 years while serving as 3rd and 2nd Presiding Bishop.
Mount Tabor’s Senior Pastor pronounced a blessing on “Bishop Morton and Lady Morton during your final years on the frontline of the Fellowship; may He be allowed to guide the hands and the work of the International Presiding Bishop-Elect and may God smile upon the future of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International.”
The decision comes on the heels of a surprise move that shocked the international and local Christian communities, this past July at the Fellowship’s international conference in Lousiville, Kentucky when Ellis pulled out of a two man race for the leadership of the Christian group in his words, “to avoid a possible division within the fellowship.” Bishop Morton will demit office in 2015.
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As announced at the annually FGBCFI conference this past July, Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III will succeed Bishop Paul S. Morton as Presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. Morton, who will retire in 2015, founded FGBCFI 20 years ago, made the much anticipated announcement in Louisville, KY among thousands of FGBCFI Conference Attendees and a world-wide television viewing audience.
“I’m humbled and thankful by this God ordained responsibility and opportunity. I’m so grateful for the confidence Bishop Morton and the Bishop’s Council has shown in choosing me as the next Presiding Bishop. Certainly, I am committed to the positive future of the Fellowship. I will continue to work hard each and every day to insure that the mission and vision established by our founder is fulfilled. We will remain strong, committed and undivided during this transition.”
Bishop Joseph Walker pastors one of the largest churches in the United States, Mt.Zion Baptist Church in Nashville, TN, which has grown from 175 members in 1992 to over 28,000 members today. Mt. Zion Baptist Church is one church, with three locations, offering 30+ ministries for social and economic enhancement of the Nashville community and abroad.
Named as one of the top 20 African-American Pastors in the country by TheRoot.com, Walker sits on noteworthy national boards, including the board of the American Red Cross, and holds a Governor- appointed post on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. The influential leader, while preaching seven services per week at Mt.Zion Church, has an international internet, television and radio ministry reaching hundreds of thousands around the world.
Bishop Joseph Walker pastors one of the largest churches in the United States, Mt.Zion Baptist Church in Nashville, TN, which has grown from 175 members in 1992 to over 28,000 members today. Mt. Zion Baptist Church is one church, with three locations, offering 30+ ministries for social and economic enhancement of the Nashville community and abroad.
Named as one of the top 20 African-American Pastors in the country by TheRoot.com, Walker sits on noteworthy national boards, including the board of the American Red Cross, and holds a Governor- appointed post on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. The influential leader, while preaching seven services per week at Mt.Zion Church, has an international internet, television and radio ministry reaching hundreds of thousands around the world.