The Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr., most recently the pastor of Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church in Oakland, is now the new presiding prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District of Christmian Methodist Episcopal Church.
In this position, he will serve as the chief spiritual shepherd for all CME parishes in the California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Alaska.
His assignment was announced during the 40th Session of the CME General Conference, held June 25 through July 1, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hames was elected and consecrated as one of five new bishops of the international denomination, which included the second woman bishop, the Rev. Denise Anders-Modest, pastor of Trinity CME Church in Memphis, Tennessee.
For the past 19 years, Hames led the mega-congregation of 3,000+ members, one of the largest churches in the San Francisco Bay area. Known as a community advocate, he also served as board chair of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, president of the National Action Network – Oakland Chapter, and chaplain of the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, Inc.
Hames helms a popular radio broadcast on KBLX 102.9 called “Voice of Inspiration.” Also, he is the author of “Pressing Reset: When Life Forces You to Start Over gain” and “Exchange: Trading Your Brokenness for Exceptional Purpose.”
To learn more, visit ninthdistrictcme.org.
