Church of God of Prophecy General Overseer Resigns

Bishop Randall E. Howard, general overseer of the Church of God of Prophecy, resigned on Friday. Howard, who has served the organization since 2006, is taking a ministry sabbatical for a season of spiritual renewal and to focus on personal issues within his family. Howard says he looks forward “to new opportunities to serve the Church of God of Prophecy in her call to build God’s kingdom” after his sabbatical.

Speaking for the general presbyters, Bishop Sam Clements showed support and appreciation for Howard’s leadership, which he said was “strategic and visionary” and had led the church through a period of growth. He added that Howard’s resignation is “absolutely not due to a moral failure.” As Bishop Howard steps down, the general presbyters—comprised of Bishops David Browder (Asia and Oceania), Sam Clements (North America), Clayton Endecott (Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Middle East), Benjamin Feliz (Central America, Mexico and Spanish-speaking Caribbean), Clayton Martin (Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean Isles), Stephen Masilela (Africa) and Gabriel Vidal (South America)—will serve as a plurality of leadership. In accordance with church governance, a new general overseer will be nominated in an upcoming meeting of the international presbytery, which will then be approved by the international assembly, the highest decision-making body of the church.