Vashti Murphy McKenzie

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Vashti Murphy McKenzie
Bishop of the Thirteenth Episcopal District
Born 30 May 1947
Occupation Titular Head of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Spouse Stan McKenzie

Vashti Murphy McKenzie (born 30 May 1947) was elected as the first female bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is also the national chaplain of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and the granddaughter of Delta founder Vashti Turley Murphy.

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[edit] Education

McKenzie received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park. Later she received Master of Divinity degree from Howard University and her Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Ohio.

[edit] Ordination

McKenzie received her first ordination in 1984 when she was made an itinerant deacon and appointed to pastor a small church in Chesapeake City, Maryland. She was later ordained an itinerant elder and was sent to pastor in Baltimore. After deciding to expand her ministry, McKenzie made a successful run for bishop. Prior to McKenzie's consecration, no female had ever served in the office of bishop in any predominantly African-American methodist denomination in America. She currently serves as the presiding prelate of the 13th Episcopal District which encompasses Tennessee and Kentucky. Prior to this appointment, McKenzie was the chief pastor of the 18th Episcopal District in southeast Africa. In 2005, McKenzie again made history by becoming the first female Titular head of the AME Church. When asked about her bishopric, McKenzie reportedly told Ebony Magazine that the "stained-glass ceiling had been broken."

[edit] Personal

She is married to former basketball player Stan McKenzie and the mother of three children, Jon-Michael, Vashti-Jasmine, and Joi-Marie.

[edit] References

[edit] External links


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