WEEK SIX—JULY 29-AUGUST 2

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie serves as the 117th elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her historic election in the year 2000 represents the first time in the over 213 year history of the A.M.E. Church that a woman had obtained the level of Episcopal office. Currently she is honored to serve as the presiding prelate of the 10th Episcopal District, which includes the great state of Texas. She previously served as the presiding bishop of the Thirteenth Episcopal District, Tennessee and Kentucky and the Eighteenth Episcopal District in Southern Africa. In each district she initiated innovative ministry, from building three group homes for children orphaned by AIDS in Swaziland to Believe, Inc., a faith-based non-profit to help resource local congregations and provide scholarships.

Bishop McKenzie was appointed to serve on the Advisory Council of the White House Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships by President Barack Obama in 2009. She is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustee of Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas, and is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Author of four books, in the first two, Not without a Struggle and Strength in the Struggle, she addresses concern for the leadership and professional growth of women. Journey to the Well helps women seek new directions for personal growth and transformation following the footsteps of the Biblical Samaritan woman, and her latest book, Swapping Housewives, tells the stories of Rachel, Jacob and Leah, and shares the 21st century implications for married and unmarried love.

Described as an “electrifying preacher,” Bishop McKenzie has been honored for her leadership, community service, and outstanding achievements by a number of diverse civic, educational, business, and governmental leaders. Her messages and prayers can be read and heard at www.thisisyourwakeupcallonline.com.