Our Pastor's Comments |
Bishop George E. Battle, Jr. The Right Reverend George E. Battle, Jr. one of eight children born on May 14, 1947 at Edgecombe County, North Carolina to George and Mary J. Battle. He earned a B.A. Degree from Livingstone College, M. Div. from Hood Theological Seminary, and D. Min. from Howard University School of Divinity. He began preaching in 1966, was ordained a deacon in 1967 and became an elder in 1968. Bishop Battle pastored at Center Grove Circuit, Tobaccoville, NC, Vernon Circuit, Statesville, NC, Foundation Tabernacle Circuit, Rock Hill, SC, and Gethsemane, Charlotte, NC where he was elected Bishop. He was consecrated the 84th Bishop in succession at Shaw Memorial A.M.E.Zion Church, Atlanta, GA during the 44th General Conference on July 31, 1992. As Bishop, he has presided over the Palmetto, Pee Dee, Georgia, South Georgia, and South Carolina Conference, 1992-1996, and the Central North Carolina, North Carolina, and Virgin Islands Conferences after the death of Bishop Herman L. Anderson in 1995. In 1996, he was assigned the Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District, comprising Albemarle, Cape Fear, Central North Carolina, Virgin Islands and North Carolina. Having manifested unusual administrative ability, he was elected a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education in 1978 and served as its chairman from 1990 and resigning in19995 because of his duties as Bishop. He has served as Chairman of our Connectional Budget Board Temperance and Law Enforcement, First Vice Chairman, Publishing House, Second Vice Chairman of the Commission on Family Life, Evangelism,, Lay Activities, Public Relations Historical Society, Social Services and Harriet Tubman Foundation, Third Vice Chairman, Congress of national Churches. The wind beneath his wings and his inspiration is the former Ms. Iris Miller. They are the parents of George E. Jr. and LaChandra.
Missionary Supervisor, Mrs. Iris M. Battle Iris Miller Battle was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She is the daughter of Mrs. Alice Miller and the late Richard Miller. She received a BS degree in Sociology, Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling, and earning certification in Supervision, Curriculum and Administration. After attaining an excellent education, she began her career as a classroom teacher at Clinton Junior College, in Rock Hill, SC. Later, she was employed as a guidance counselor in the McClintock Middle School and the West Charlotte High School, Charlotte, NC. She returned to McClintock as Assistant Principal for Administration and served as a Specialist in Dropout Prevention and Administration for five Alternative Schools in Charlotte, NC. She is affiliated with numerous professional and community organizations. Mrs. Battle is serving unselfishly and diligently as the Missionary Supervisor of the Northeastern Episcopal District. Other church affiliations include holding positions in her local church, Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church, working with her home district and conference. Other memberships are the National Spouses and Widows Fellowship, A.M.E. Zion Church, the Charlotte Interdenominational Ministers' Wives and Widows Associations, The World Federation of Methodist Women and the National Council of Negro Women. Most importantly, she is serving as a member of the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society's Executive Board. Mrs. Battle chairs the Quadrennial Banquet, and the audit coordinator. She is a member of the Personnel, Overseas Missions, Sacrificial Legacy,, Credentials, and Convention Budget Committees. We are Blessed to have them as our Episcopal Leaders during this Quadrennium. |
