Presiding Elder's Meeting
Date & Time
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Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. was elected the 62nd bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on July 1, 2014, at the 37th Quadrennial Session & 38th General Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to his election as bishop, he served as the seventh president/dean of The Phillips School of Theology (“The Seminary of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church”) at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia and the pastor of the Good News Community CME Church in Lithonia, GA. While at ITC, Bishop Thomas also served as the Chair of the Council of Deans and an adjunct instructor.
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He holds the Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a minor in sociology from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He also earned the Master of Divinity degree from The Phillips School of Theology at The ITC and the Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
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He has served as the pastor of Walls Memorial CME Church in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to his tenure as pastor of Walls Memorial, he served as pastor of other congregations in the CME Church and presiding elder in the states of Alabama and Tennessee. Bishop Thomas previously served as the Vice President for Student Affairs and a member of the Religion faculty at Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee. He has also served as a member of the religion faculty and Student Services staff at his alma mater, Stillman College.
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Presently, Bishop Thomas serves as the presiding bishop of the First Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, which encompasses the states of Arkansas and Tennessee. He also serves as the chair of the denomination’s Department of Lay Ministry. Additionally, Bishop Thomas serves on the boards of the following institutions: Lane College, Phillips School of Theology (vice-chair), and The Interdenominational Theological Center. He previously served on the boards of the Ohio Council of Churches, including a term as president, and the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati. Bishop Thomas is presently a member of the National Board of Directors of the NAACP and a life member of the same organization. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In February of 2022, Bishop Thomas was named the Stillman College Distinguished Alumnus.
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Bishop Thomas is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He is the second of six children born to the late Mrs. Minnie Thomas Brown. Bishop Thomas has two adult children, Kourtney Lea Thomas and Marvin Frank Thomas, Jr., and one grandson, Kameron.
Presiding Elders
Rev. Dr. Claude A. Bass
Tennessee SW District
Rev. Dr. Ronald M. Powe
Tennessee SE District
Rev. Tracy L. Jackson
Tennessee NE District
Rev. Bethel L. Harris
Tennessee NW District
Rev. Ronald Williams
Arkansas East District
Rev. Don White
Arkansas West District
Administrative Staff
T. Christopher Washington
Assistant to the Bishop
Mrs. Debora Gant
Communication Specialist
Jo-Ann Walker Jones
Assistant to the Bishop
Mrs. Pitman
Assistant to the Bishop
Mrs. Vera Merriweather
Communication Specialist
Rev. Dr. Claude A. Bass
Presiding Elder of the Southwest Tennessee District
Born May 28, 1959 in Gary, Indiana to the Late Bishop Richard O. Bass, Sr. And Mrs. Edith Valentine Bass.
Dr. Bass attended the Public Schools of Los Angeles, California, completed High School at Oakland Technical High School of Oakland, California. He attended Texas College, Tyler, Texas (CME College) as a Sociology Major and transferred to Miles College(CME College) of Birmingham, Alabama, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science. Received the Master of Divinity, from the Phillips School of Theology (CME Seminary) at the Interdenominational Theological Center of Atlanta, Georgia. Received a Doctor of Divinity, Union Baptist Theological Seminary.
Pastor Bass was called to preach at an early age in 1973 at the Lewis Metropolitan CME Church, Los Angeles, CA. Where his Father was the Pastor. Ordained Traveling Deacon by the Late Bishop James L. Cummings and Traveling Elder and Admitted into Full Connection by the Late Senior Bishop Ceasar D. Coleman. Pastor Bass has Pastored Churches in the State of Texas (8th Episcopal District) State of Alabama (5th Episcopal District) State of Georgia (6th Episcopal District) State of California (9th Episcopal District) State of Ohio (2nd Episcopal District). Formerly, Pastor Bass was the Senior Pastor of the Historic St. John CME Church of Detroit, Michigan (3rd Episcopal District). He is presently the Senior Pastor of the St. Paul CME Church of Jackson, Tennessee, Lane College Campus and the Presiding Elder of the Southwest District, in the East Tennessee Region Annual Conference.
Elder Bass has been involved in and served in many Church and Civic organizations In many capacities of Leadership. Served as the Chair of the Joint Board of Finance for the Michigan Indiana Annual Conference Region CME Church, Member of the Trustee Board, Michigan Indiana Annual Conference Region, formerly, the Chairman of the Joint Board of Finance East Tennessee Region. Presently, A Member of the Trustee Board of the East Tennessee Region and a Board Member of Lane College. A Member of CODE RED: Ecumenical Faith Leaders Minister’s Alliance of Jackson Madison County.
A Founding Member of I-CARE: Initiative For Community Advocacy, Resilience and Empowerment, Jackson Tennessee, Madison County.
Former Member of the General Connectional Board of the CME Church, Elder Bass has been a Delegate to the General Conference since 1990. He served as the Chair of the Committee on Ministerial Examination for many years in Georgia and Northern California. Dr. Bass has been an NAACP President and served on the State level in the State of California. He has served in many Minister’s Alliances in various Cities. Was a member of the Founding, Organizing Steering Committee of D.R.I.V.E: Detroit Regional Interfaith Voices of Equity and a member of the Black Methodist Alliance in the City of Detroit. He is a Prince Hall Mason 32nd Degree and Royal Arch Companion Mason.
Elder Bass is a Third Generation CME Itinerant Preacher and has been the guest Preacher to many churches in Revivals in several States and ecumenical faiths. He loves Preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But he also loves being a Mentor to young people in this millennium.
Elder Bass loves the Lord his Family and the church and believes the church should follow the leadership of Jesus Christ of what he calls the Galilean Ministry of Jesus Christ: Teaching, Preaching, Healing, taken from Matthew 4:23.
He is married to the lovely Annie Cilvestine Snow Bass who he affectionately calls his “Georgia peach,” Annie is a Native of LaGrange, GA; they have three beautiful children from their union: Akia Danielle, Thomas Anderson, and Makayla Edith. He has another daughter, Claudia Monique and a grandson, Tyshan, and two granddaughters, Blessings and Sanya. He has two brothers Richard O. Bass, Jr. (Deceased) And Joshua D. Bass.
Rev. Dr. Ronald M. Powe
Presiding Elder of the Southeast Tennessee District
Ronald Powe was born in Thomasville, Alabama on July 2, 1951 and moved to Nashville in 1994. He is the second child in a family of eleven children. He lived in Jackson, Alabama, and Memphis, Tennessee before coming to Nashville. He earned his B.S in Sociology (1972) and M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling (1973) from Alabama State University and went on to earn a Master of Divinity (1994) degree from Memphis Theological Seminary. He completed the requirements for a doctorate in school administration from Vanderbilt University, Peabody College in December 2008.
In 1973, Dr. Powe was employed as a guidance counselor for the Clarke County Board of Education, Grove Hill, Alabama. He began teaching in special education at Jackson High School in 1975 and became a special education supervisor for the entire county in 1983. He became principal of Jackson Middle School in 1984 at the age of 32. He led the school to achieve accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and high ratings on standardized test scores. As principal of Jackson Middle School, he gained a reputation as a man of integrity who worked with the Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Board to bring new commerce to the city of Jackson, Alabama.
Before coming to Metro Nashville Public Schools in August 1994, Dr. Powe served as a special education teacher with Memphis City Schools. His responsibility was to work with at-risk students who had severe emotional and discipline problems at the Comprehensive Pupil Services Educational Center. This was an alternative school for students throughout the city. While at CPSEC, he helped to establish intake, counseling, psychological, and social services for at-risk students to facilitate educational success.
Dr. Powe was assistant principal at McMurray Middle School during the 2002-2003 school year. During his tenure at McMurray from 1994 to 2003, Dr. Powe served as a special education teacher, huddle coach for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, sponsor of the Men of Distinction, a program to improve the academics, behavior, and character for young men and served as chairperson of the faculty advisory committee. He was McMurray’s Teacher of the Year in 2001.
Dr. Powe was an assistant principal at Mt. View Elementary School during the school year 2003-2004 and became principal of Thomas A. Edison Elementary School in July 2004. He also served as principal of Napier Enhanced Option School from 2011 to 2015. He was interim principal at Bellshire Elementary School for a few months in 2017. He was assigned as interim principal of Napier Elementary School for the first nine weeks of the 2021-2022 school. He currently serves as assistant principal of Glencliff Elementary School where he has been for the past seven years and concurrently serving for administrative services at Napier Elementary School.
He has discovered the joy of working with small children to help make a difference in their educational development. He is committed to the success of all students and works continuously toward educational achievement. Dr. Powe enjoys jogging, writing, chess, good conversation with friends and listening to books on tape. He and his wife, Patricia, have three adult daughters and seven grandchildren.
In addition to being an educational leader, Dr. Powe is also a full-time pastor. He was pastor of Williams Temple CME Church in Thomasville, Alabama from 1979 to 1991. He was pastor of Prospect CME Church in Memphis, Tennessee from 1992 to 1994. He was pastor of Saint Luke CME Church in Nashville where he served from 1994 to 2014 (20 years).
During the 2014 East Tennessee Region Annual Conference, Bishop Henry Williamson, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, appointed Dr. Powe, Presiding Elder of the Southeast District.
In addition to being Presiding Elder of the Southeast District, on August 5, 2017, Bishop Williamson appointed Dr. Ronald M. Powe the pastor of Historic Capers Memorial CME Church, “The Oldest African-American Church in the State of Tennessee – Founded in 1832.”
Dr. Powe was pastor of Capers for two years (2017-2019). Dr. Powe was assigned as pastor of Saint James CME Church, 164 Stones River Road, LaVergne, TN 37086 in July 2019 to present.
He was assigned to Saint Luke CME Church as pastor for the third time on July 22, 2021 by Bishop Henry M. Williamson Sr. And on July 22, 2022 Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. reassigned him to Saint Luke CME Church.
Rev. Tracy L. Jackson
Presiding Elder of the Northeast Tennessee District
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Elder Tracy L. Jackson native of Kansas City MO. Received his BA from Carver Bible College. He was license to preach in his hometown in 1986 at Jamison Memorial Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The Late Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr. in 1990 ordained him traveling Deacon, Elder, and inducted as Full Connection all in the same year. Which lead him to being assigned his first church that year Carter Memorial CME Church in Gary, IN. Under his leadership the church burned it's mortgage of $158,000, 5 years after his arrival, the church grew by the Grace of God from 40 members to 350 in the 16 years he was pastor.
In 2006 he was assigned to his home church Jamison Memorial Temple by Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart he served that congregation as pastor for 8 years. He served as the Presiding Elder over the Missouri District for conference year 2007/2008. In 2008 the Jamison Memorial Temple CME Church built a 1.3 million dollar housing development under his leadership. He was Director of Evangelism for the Missouri District from 2007-2010. From 2010 - 2014 he served as the Chairman of the Kansas - Missouri Joint Board and as a member of the Board of Trustees. During this time he also served as a member of the Michigan-Indiana Joint Board from 2011 - 2014.
From 2010 - 2012 he serviced as a member of the General Connectional Board. He has served as President over several organizations, the John Will Anderson Boys and Girls Club, in Gary, IN (1994-1996). President of the Interfaith Clergy Council and Vicinity of Gary (2002 - 2005), President of Methodist Minister Fellowship of Kansas City, MO (2007-2009). Board of Trustees Phillips School of Theology from 2014-2022, Received the Rev. Carrell K. Cargle One Church One School Award for Outstanding Community Service. In 2010 he received the Pastor of the Year Award for the 3rd Episcopal District. He has been elected a delegate to the General Conference numerous times. (1990, 1998, 2002, 2006, 20110, 2014, 2018, 2022) as well as a member of NAACP.
In 2014 he was transferred to the Second Episcopal District of the CME Church where he serves under Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. as the Presiding Elder of the Cincinnati, Dayton, and Indianapolis District and Murchison Temple CME Church in Indianapolis IN. from 2014 to 2022. In 2019-2020 was appointed pastor of Trinity CME Church, in Indianapolis IN. He is currently the Pastor of Martin Memorial Temple CME Church in Memphis TN & the Presiding Elder of Northeast District of West Tennessee Region.
Rev. Bethel L. Harris
Presiding Elder of the Northwest Tennessee District
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Rev. Bethel L. Harris, Jr. is a native Memphian, graduate of Hamilton High School and Memphis State University. He served 4 years in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged.
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He accepted his call into the preaching ministry in June 1981 under the pastorate of Rev. N. Charles Thomas at Greenwood CME Church. Rev. Harris was ordained Deacon in June 1983 at Mother Liberty CME Church and was ordained Elder at Greenwood CME Church and admitted into Full Connection in July 1986.
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He was transferred in 1986 to the North Arkansas Annual Conference, Forrest-City Blytheville District and assigned to Lane Chapel CME Church in Forrest City, Arkansas.
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In 1990 Rev. Harris was transferred to the West TN Annual Conference, Memphis District and assigned to Featherstone Temple CME Church. After serving 3 years and leading the congregation to relocate and build a new edifice, he was assigned to the South Memphis District at Zion CME Church. After 14 fruitful years and leading the congregation in building a new sanctuary, in 2007 Rev. Harris was assigned by Bishop William Henry Graves, Sr. to serve as Presiding Elder of the Northwest District.
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In July 2011 he was assigned by Sr. Bishop L. L. Reddick, III to Washington Chapel CME Church and assigned to Greenwood CME Church by Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr. from February 2015 to July 2018. He was assigned by Bishop Williamson in July 2018 to serve as Presiding Elder of the Northwest District and Pastor of St. James CME Church, Millington, TN.
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In August of 2019 he was assigned by Bishop Williamson to the historic Collins Chapel CME Church, and he is currently completing his first year as pastor as he continues to serve as Presiding Elder of the Northwest District, West TN Region of the First Episcopal District.
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He served as Treasurer the West TN Region from July 2011 to July 2018 and as Paymaster for the Presiding Elders of the First Episcopal District from July 1990 to July 2018.
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Rev. Harris completed 25 years in the private sector at Federal Express Corporation as a Manager, Logistics Operations, and retired with distinction in 2008.
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Rev. Bethel L. Harris, Jr. is married to the lovely, multitalented Deborah Greene Harris and they are the parents of 2 adult sons and 1 daughter. They are also the proud grandparents of 5 girls and 1 boy.
Rev. Ronald Williams
Presiding Elder of the East Arkansas District
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Theology has followed Rev. Williams for most of his life. Honestly the thought of being a spiritual leader for others was something that he never thought of as a life long endeavor. But Rev. Ronald R. Williams accepted this challenge beginning October 10, 1982. To prepare himself for this calling he enrolled in the Interdenominational Theological Seminary and received his Theology degree in 2006. This journey to theological fluency has been tough but he can’t imagine a life without it.
His first preaching assignment began in 1983 at Zion Chapel CME Church in Earle, Arkansas, and St. Paul CME Church in Luxora, Arkansas. Starting out, a small membership allowed him the chance to direct relationships with his members and he felt it prepared him for the current role as Presiding Elder of the Arkansas East District.
His philosophy of ministry has and will continue to define and shape the kind of Pastor and Presiding Elder he is and will become. There are times when one must review their philosophy and make changes when you sense God is leading you to redirect and adjust it. It is according to His divine purpose that Rev. Williams seeks to conform his life and ministry, as he has on numerous occasions seen God move, he knows that in time God may redirect his philosophy and his ministry for His Glory and Honor.
Preaching is Rev. Williams’ love, and it is an opportunity for him to expound the word of God to listening ears at every weekly service. It is a part of his pastoral ministry that he takes seriously, and he commits a good part of his working week to Bible Study and to being properly prepared to teach and counsel others in the word of God. Rev. Williams devotes himself to continuous growth in the ministry by accepting opportunities and not running from challenges. It is understood that his pastoral calling is the joy of his life, but it does not supersede his calling as a husband his wife and father to his children. The hierarchy of his priorities place a personal relationship to God as primary.
Rev. Williams was born to John L. and Alice Mae Williams in Forrest City, Arkansas on January 25,1952. His high school education was attained at Lincoln High School and he graduated in 1969. He matriculated at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Agronomy in 1973, also he received his certification to teach and coach. While attending the University Rev. Williams was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.
Rev. Williams have had varied work experiences: Soil Conservation, CBI Nuclear Reactor Company, Public Schools: Wynne, Marianna, Helena-West Helena, and Earle.
Ministry: Zion Chapel, Earle; St. Paul, Luxora; Carter Temple, Blytheville; Lane Chapel, Forrest City, Mt. Olive Cathedral, Memphis, Tennessee; Lane Chapel, Forrest City where I am presently pastoring. Was appointed as Presiding Elder of the Arkansas East Region in 2014 and continue to serve in this capacity now.
Civic and Community: Forrest City School Board and the Forrest City-City Councilman (currently serving)
Family: 1983 – Married Rosie Norman Williams;
Children: LaRonna L. Williams and Aviva L. Williams; Grandchildren: Ameria, Kali, Jordan and Camri
T. Christopher Washington
T. Christopher Washington is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, and the youngest of six children to the late Reverend Clinton L. Washington and Reverend Mary L. Washington. Chris is a graduate of the historic Little Rock Central High School. He spent two years at Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama and transferred to Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas. There he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. Chris earned a Master of Business Administration from the Paul R. Carter School of Business at Harding University. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, the NAACP, and Democratic Party. Chris is employed with the Department of Finance and Administration for the State of Arkansas as a Financial Analysis and Project Manager. A lifelong member of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Chris has been very humbled to serve the church on the local, district, and connectional levels. Currently, Chirs serves as the special assistant to Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas Sr., First Episcopal District representative to CYAM, treasurer of the Arkansas Region Young Adult Ministry, secretary of the joint board of finance, and East District lay leader. Chris's favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 and his motto is to keep trying, keep praying, stay positive, be awesome, and become better.
Jo-Ann Walker Jones
Proud To Be CME. A life member of the Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Memphis under the leadership of an awesome pastor and first lady, Reverend Leroy Payne Jr. and Mrs. Annette Payne. Sister Jones is the church secretary, a Stewardess (former stewardess board president at her church), a Missionary. Her participation includes being a Missionary, Christian Education, and a Daughter of Esther. Her spiritual gifts allows her to be the northeast district secretary, currently under the leadership of Presiding Elder Tracy L. Jackson. She has held the positions of Past Presidents of both the Northeast District and West Tennessee Region Stewardess Ministry of the First Episcopal District. In 2016, after three years into retirement, she returned to the workforce to become the Executive Administrative Assistant to the 52nd Bishop of the CME Church, Henry M. Williamson, Sr., (First Lady Dr. Doris Y. Williamson). Currently, she is honored and proud to assist the 62nd Bishop of the CME Church, Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr.
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A 2013 retiree of FedEx Corporation after completing 35 years of service at the Corporate Headquarters in Memphis, as an Executive Assistant to several of the Company’s Vice Presidents and the first African American Treasurer. She affirms that she would have never dreamed reaching this level in her professional career without God being in her life. She was one of the first African American executive secretaries on the Corporate side of FedEx where many friendships and great memories were gained and are now treasured. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me”. (Philippians 4:13)
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A product of the historic Orange Mound community where many successful leaders were born and businesses established. A graduate of the historic Melrose High School (Memphis). Attained a Certificate in General Real Estate Studies, and an Associate Degree in Business and Secretarial Science from the Northwest Community College (Mississippi). “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
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Respectively married to ‘A Man of God’, Deacon Eary Jones, a life member of the Greater New Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (Memphis). They have two adult sons and three grandchildren. Her interests are studying the Word of God, horticulture, interior and graphic designing; and most importantly, spending time with her family. A 2020 recipient of the Women M.A.D. Award from Memphis Spirit Magazine - (Women Making A Difference).
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding…”
A very precise directive from God to her – Thank You Lord!
Mrs. Juliet Waddell Pittman
Mrs. Juliet Waddell Pittman is the daughter of the late Ms. Dorothy E. Waddell. She is a lifelong Memphian and is a product of the Orange Mound community. She is a graduate of Melrose High School and a graduate of the University of Memphis (formerly Memphis State University) with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.
Mrs. Pittman is a lifelong member of Mt. Pisgah CME Church and has been a missionary since she was a child. At Mt. Pisgah she is the Director of Christian Education, a Trustee, a member of the Finance Team, the William Davis Memorial Sunday school class, the Faithful Few Missionary Circle and the Mass Choir. She has served as the Secretary of Organization and Promotions of the Women’s Missionary Council and is the immediate past Editor of the Missionary Messenger magazine of the CME Church.
Mrs. Pittman retired from FedEx Corporate Services as a Technical Analyst after 30 years of service. She currently works as the Administrative Assistant to the International President of the Women’s Missionary Council of the CME Church and serves as the Project Coordinator for the First Episcopal District, where she works with the Collins Chapel Connectional Hospital Ministry that now houses Room In The Inn Homeless Ministry - Memphis.
Mrs. Pittman was the recipient of numerous awards by her church and while at Fed Ex; she was honored as an outstanding Soror by her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter; and in 2022 she was a recipient of the Women Making A Difference (M.A.D.) from the Memphis Spirit Magazine.
Outside of the church, Mrs. Pittman is a member of Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the NAACP; a board member of the Fed Ex Retiree Association and is the co-chair of the Scholarship Committee for the Melrose Alumni Association.
She is the widow of the late Mr. Larry Pittman, and has one sister, Lisa Waddell and one brother, Tamlon Waddell. The most important thing to know about Mrs. Pittman is that she truly loves the Lord, her family, and the CME Church. Because of this love she is a willing to be a servant of the Lord.
