METHODISTS ELECT LEADERS FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS, DURING THE CONNEXIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN THE CARIBBEAN AND THE AMERICAS (MCCA) IN ST. ANDREW, JAMAICA

The Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA) is meeting in its 41st Connexional Conference, comprising delegates representing 27 territories of the Caribbean and Americas, and in Holland, Europe, as well as members of partner churches. The Jamaica Methodist District, which is led by Bishop the Reverend Christine Gooden Benguche is hosting the regional church, at the Providence Methodist Church in Liguanea, St Andrew, Jamaica, between May 24-29, 2024, under the theme “RETURNING TO OUR ROOTS: A Methodist Church for the Caribbean and the Americas – LOVING-SERVING-TRANSFORMING”. This is the first face-to-face meeting of the Connexion, since the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the modus operandi across the world.

During the Representative Session of the Conference on Saturday, May 25, 2024, Bishop the Reverend Juan Miguel Simpson Bennett was elected as the President of the MCCA, for the 2024-2027 triennium. He will replace Bishop the Rev’d Everald Galbraith, CD, JP, who is Jamaican, and has been leading the Methodist church in the region since May 2018, after completing his tenure as President of the Jamaica Methodist District.

Bishop Juan is a Panamanian of Jamaican heritage, who became an accredited preacher in the MCCA at the age of 17 years. Having completed ministerial training at the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) in Jamaica, he was ordained in 1996.He hasserved intheBelize/HondurasDistrict ofthe MCCA, including as District Secretary; and the Panama/Costa Rica District where he has been the President/Bishop, since 2018. He is married to Panamanian, Gina Rodriquez (nurse) and they have four young adult children.

Bishop Simpson will be inducted during the Official Connexional Conference Service on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the historic Coke Memorial Methodist Chapel in Downtown, Kingston, Jamaica, at 4:00p.m. when Methodists from across Jamaica and the Caribbean and (Latin) Americas will converge in worship and fellowship. Newly minted Connexional Bishop Simpson will be the preacher.

Jamaican Attorney-at-Law, Miss Lilieth C. Deacon, of Deacon and Associates, was also elected as Vice President of the MCCA, on Saturday (25th). She hails from the rural district of John’s Hall in the hills of Clarendon (and the Frankfield Methodist Circuit) and a past student of the Edwin Allen High School, and the Excelsior High School – a Methodist educational institution, which she now serves as Chairperson. Deacon studied Law at the Cave Hill Campus of The University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Norman Manley Law School, Jamaica (where she now lectures). She was called to the Jamaican Bar in 1986. Lilieth is an accredited Methodist Local Preacher of over 30 years, chorister-extraordinaire, and a strong woman in her faith walk with God and her legal profession. She will be inducted during the Closing Service of this Conference, on Wednesday, May 29 at 7p.m. at the Providence Methodist Church.

Revered Jacqueline Liddell (British and naturalised Jamaican) was re-elected as Connexional Secretary, and Miss Muriel Peggy, native of Anguilla, as Treasurer of Connexional Funds.

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