Bishop Denise Anders-Modest

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

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Biographical Snapshot

Bishop Denise Anders-Modest is the 65th Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, making history on June 28, 2022, as the second female bishop in the denomination's 152-year history. Currently, she serves as the Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District, which covers Kentucky, Ohio, and Central Indiana.

Current Roles & Leadership

Presiding Prelate: Second Episcopal District, CME Church (since 2022).
Departmental Chair: Chair of the General Department of Christian Education and Formation.
International Engagement: Delegate to the World Methodist Council.

Ecclesiastical Career

Episcopacy: Elected at the 40th General Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Pastoral Ministry: Over 25 years of experience in rural and inner-city settings, including Williams Memorial CME Temple (Shreveport, LA), Anderson Chapel (Holly Springs, MS), and Trinity CME Church (Memphis, TN).
Specialized Ministry: Founder of “Sitting on the Porch” Ministries, a collaborative support space for women established during her time in College Park, Georgia.

Education & Academic Background

B.S. in Management and Marketing: Grambling State University (1983).
Master of Divinity: Phillips School of Theology at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) (1998).
Ordination: Licensed to preach in 1990 (Richmond, VA); ordained Deacon in 1991 (NY/WA/VA Region) and Elder in 1996 (Louisiana).

Historical Service & Contributions

Leadership Roles: Former Director of Christian Education & Formation for the 4th Episcopal District and Dean of the Leadership Training School in Louisiana.
Advocacy: Served as the CME Connectional Coordinator of the Commission on the Concerns of Women in the Ministry for 12 years.
Regional Support: Previously served as the Bishop’s assistant to the Presiding Elder and Chair of the Joint Board of Finance for the NW District (West Tennessee Region).

Personal Life

A lifelong member of the CME Church and a native of Ruston, Louisiana, Bishop Anders-Modest is the daughter of Otha and Maxine Anders. She was married for over 20 years to her late high school sweetheart, the Rev. Mitchell G. Modest. She has traveled extensively on spiritual pilgrimages to the Holy Land and Ethiopia.