It was my privilege to preside over the Cornerstone Conference on June 2 and 3, 2023, in Browns Summit, NC. Over 460 delegates were in attendance for this quadrennial session.
On Friday evening, following a time of worship, the delegates approved the ministerial credentials report of seven receiving minister’s license and eight ordained. Bishop Beacham addressed the licensed ministers and preached from 2 Timothy2:1-7 to the ministers being ordained.
On Saturday morning, the business session began with Conference Superintendent Mike S. Ainsworth recognizing special guests who were attendance including former Conference Superintendent Bishop Tommy McGhee (Executive Director IPHC Discipleship Ministries), Rev. Doyle Marley, and Rev. Tommy Fuquay.
Other guests included President Chis Thompson of Holmes Bible College, Dr. Trés Ward of Emmanual College, and former North Carolina Conference Superintendent Rev. T.E. Long, along with Mr. Joey Leggett of Falcon Children’s Home and Rev. Rick Haug of DRUSA.
The conference voted to keep the statute of limitations on term limits.
Elections went smoothly as the delegates used electronic voting devices. At the previous conference, a nominating system for conference elected officials was adopted, and it was implemented at the 2023 session.
Bishop Mike S. Ainsworth was re-elected as Conference Superintendent by acclamation.
Rev. Anthony Craver was re-elected as Assistant Superintendent.
Rev. Darrell Greene was elected as Treasurer.
The following were elected as members of the Conference Executive Council: Rev. Darrell Cox, Rev. Johnathan Hill, Rev. Mark Richardson, Rev. Rick Haug, Rev. Stephen Jones, and Rev. Timothy Nelson.
Conference Superintendent, Mike S. Ainsworth
During the State of the Conference, Bishop Mike Ainsworth reported there are 154 congregations and 377 credentialed ministers within Cornerstone Conference: special celebration included the addition of two new congregations in Greensboro and High Point, North Carolina. Cornerstone Conference also recognized Rev. Joel Boyles for his 17 years of service as Discipleship Ministry director; he is retiring this summer and a new DM will be appointed.
The conference also recognized the following ministers who have passed away in 2022 and 2023: Samuel Carpenter, Marguerite Howard, Richard Leviner, Douglass Shuff, J.P. Sizemore, David Robertson, Pat Roland, Clyde Wells, Peggy Broome, Doris Ferguson, Joyce Ward, and Kirby Wilkins.
Bishop Doug Beacham prays over each elected member
Following the completion of business and elections, Bishop Doug Beacham installed the new conference executive committee and Bishop Mike Ainsworth closed with a meditation on Psalm 23 and Holy Communion.
