Message from President Valerie Bell, Connectional Lay President!

“Onward to Greater Works”
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth…Oh magnify the Lord with me, Let us exalt His name together.” (Psalm 34: 1,3).

To the Bishops and Supervisors of the Church
To the 35th Biennial Session of the Connectional Lay Organization

Praise God!  The election is over, and I thank you for electing me to serve as the 12th President of this body.

I wish to thank Bishop James Levert Davis, my Supervisor, Mother Arelis Bevers Davis, and the entire constituency of the Second Episcopal District, especially the Second Episcopal District Lay Organization. I received your unanimous endorsement in February 2017, and the support has never wavered.  I am also grateful to my husband Donald, my family and loyal supporters throughout the Connectional Church who walked with and encouraged me.

My Brothers and Sisters who share in the ministry of the Lay Organization, we have a Great work to do.  I campaigned on a simple platform :

  1. Redirect our focus to Evangelism and Discipleship, if souls are not saved, nothing is saved.
  2. Return to our mission of teaching and training to better equip our Zion to focus on Evangelism and Discipleship
  3. Rebuilding the team necessary for this assignment.  The team of youth and young adults, the team of Clergy and Laity together and the inclusion of Episcopal District Presidents, all Episcopal District Presidents 1-20, because we are a Global Church.

This election reflects a mandate for immediate change, initially in these areas, and later in others in our organization. Jesus said in John 14:12,  “If you believe in me and the works I am doing, then you will be able to do GREATER WORKS.”

Please join me on this journey, “Onward to Greater Works.”
Valerie Gary Bell
President, Connectional Lay Organization
clopresident535@gmail.com