The Council of Bishops, in conjunctions with the Southeastern Jurisdiction (SEJ), announced the projected Episcopal assignments on May 14, 2021.
Click here to read the published assignments.
Bishop David Graves will continue to serve as the resident bishop of the Alabama-West Florida Conference. Due to four retiring bishops, several acting bishops will assume the episcopal duties of those conferences. Therefore, Graves will also serve as the resident bishop of the South Georgia Conference.
“It is an honor and privilege to continue serving the Alabama-West Florida Conference,” said Graves. Our five years in this conference have been filled with joy, friendship and a warm reception. I am grateful that this conference has such wonderful leaders. I will be depending on a high capacity, highly relational cabinet and staff that will be doing more while I journey into the South Georgia Conference as well. I look forward to getting to know them better. Nancy and I welcome your prayers as we take on this new responsibility.”
Graves was elected a bishop on July 13, 2016, and has served in the Alabama-West Florida Conference for five years. The original quadrennium was scheduled to be completed in 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the General and Jurisdictional Conferences from occurring. As mentioned, four bishops will be assuming episcopal duties of multiple conferences to cover the 15-conference territory of the SEJ.
“We are overjoyed to welcome back Bishop Graves,” stated Dr. Larry Bryars, head delegate from the Alabama-West Florida Conference. “Bishop Graves has skillfully kept our conference focused on mission and ministry and is one of the most servant leaders I have ever encountered. While his time will be shared with the neighboring South Georgia Conference, we know he will continue to lead with wisdom and grace while seeking Christ’s guidance in all decisions. Our prayers are with Bishop and Nancy as they continue to serve our conference.”
The assignments stand until fall of 2022, when a General Conference is projected to meet; thus, a Jurisdictional Conference could occur. However, global vaccine availability will ultimately drive that decision.
These assignments will take effect September 1, 2021.
