Rev. Douglas B. Bynum Named Pastor of St. James AME Church
On May 25, 2024, Rev. Douglas Bradshaw Bynum was called to pastor St. James AME Church in Asheville.
The historic church at 44 Hildebrand Street has long welcomed young, energetic leaders, and Rev. Bynum will be the 39th pastor in that tradition.
The younger of the two sons of Steve and Faye Bynum of Hillsborough, NC, Rev. Bynum is a fourth-generation AME and grew up as a member of Mount Zion in Hillsborough, NC. There, he gave his life to Christ at an early age and served the church in various capacities for nearly three decades, including teaching church school and organizing the Video and Christian Arts ministries that led to increased youth and young adult participation.
He left his home church to pursue pastoral ministry, and on October 15, 2021, Rev. Bynum was ordained itinerant deacon and appointed pastor of Mount Zion AME Church in Martinsville, Virginia by Bishop James L. Davis during the historic Combined Second Episcopal District Ordination Service. As the new pastor of St. James, Rev. Bynum looks forward to “Growing Together in Christ” with the church, community, and partners for the betterment of all people.
As a young adult, he was very active member of the Young People’s Division of the Women’s Missionary Society; he also served as the Western North Carolina Conference President, Second Episcopal District YPD President for several years before being elected as the Connectional YPD First Vice-President in 2007. In the nature of true “connectionalism,” over the years Rev. Bynum has affiliated with AME congregations in the First, Second, and Fifth Episcopal Districts (From Colorado to New York).
Rev. Bynum was a young adult lay delegate to two General Conferences of the AME Church, appointed as a member of the Episcopal Committee, and later as an at-large member of the General Board of the AME Church. His participation on the General Board included the Global Witness and Ministry, Social Action, and Ministry and Recruitment Commissions. He is a graduate of the Long Island (NY) University School of Education (MSEd); the National Theatre Conservatory at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (MFA); and North Carolina Central University (BA) with honors.
Professionally, he is a Mathematics Instructional Coach and Consultant with the National Training Network where he supports several High Schools in Guilford and Wake Counties, NC.
Rev. Bynum’s approach to pastoral ministry is simple—“show up and God will show out!” As a servant leader, he believes that ministry begins in our homes and in our daily walk, but should extend as far as God allows us to tread. His heart for service has led him from Caribbean outreach ministry trips to social justice theater, to public and charter school classrooms across the eastern seaboard, to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Above all, Rev. Bynum thanks God for the soul saving power of Jesus Christ and for calling him to ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. To God, be the Glory!
