Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. It is with both sadness and joy, that I, the President of the Board of Bishops of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, officially announce the passing last night of the Right Reverend Mildred Bonnie Hines, who in 2008 was elected and consecrated the 98th Bishop in the line of succession.
Bishop Hines served with great distinction as the presiding prelate of the Western West African Episcopal District, of the Southwestern Delta Episcopal District, and, at the time of her passing, of the South Atlantic Episcopal District which includes the South Carolina Conference, the Pee Dee Conference, the Palmetto Conference, and the Georgia Conference. She was also serving as the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Clinton College in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
We are sad because we will miss her powerful preaching, her electrifying teaching, her dynamic leadership, and her loving spirit. We are glad because she is free from her infirmities and is in the presence of her Lord, whom she served so faithfully. She is experiencing the peace and joy that we look forward to experiencing.
Our deepest sympathies and our heartfelt prayers are for Bishop Hines’ family, for the South Atlantic Episcopal District, and for the entire AME Zion Church Family. The details of her service of triumph are forthcoming. May we find solace from the God of all comfort and inspiration from Bishop Hines’ life, ministry, and legacy.
The Board of Bishops of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr., President of the Board of Bishops
Bishop Kenneth Monroe, Senior Bishop
Bishop Dennis V. Proctor
Bishop Mildred B. Hines (Deceased)
Bishop W. Darin Moore
Bishop Seth O. Lartey
Bishop Michael A. Frencher, Sr.
Bishop George D. Crenshaw
Bishop Hilliard Dogbe
Bishop Uduak Effiong
Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Sr.
Bishop Eric Leake
Bishop Joseph Johnson, Retired
Bishop Marshall H. Strickland, Retired
Bishop Nathaniel Jarrett, Jr., Retired
Bishop George W.C. Walker, Sr., Retired
Bishop Samuel Chuka Ekemam, Sr., Retired
Bishop Warren Matthew Brown, Retired
Bishop George Edward Battle, Jr., Retired