Anthony Everett to Serve in African American Ministries Position

At the 2007 Kentucky Annual Conference, a motion was passed to create a conference-wide task force to study recruitment and retention of African American pastoral leadership. This task force, under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Cummings, met several times throughout the 2007-2208 conference year. A comprehensive report was made to the 2008 Conference, which included a recommendation that the conference develop a full time Associate Director position for African American ministries for the conference.

This staff person would lead the conference in implementing the various goals set by the task force, including collaboration with the Board of Ordained Ministry, the appointive cabinet, the Primary Task Team, and NCCD. The 2008 Annual Conference unanimously approved this position and the full task force report. A ministry description of the position includes these goals: To train, equip, encourage and resource African American pastors and churches in order to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world and to assist in the identification, recruitment and retention of African America clergy.

A national staff search for this new position was launched in June 2008, and the search team’s recommendation was recently affirmed by Bishop Lindsey Davis and the conference Personnel Committee. Rev. Anthony Everett has accepted the position and will begin his work in our conference on November 16. His office will be located in Lexington. The team is thrilled with the gifts and abilities that Rev. Everett brings to this position and the leadership he will provide in our annual conference.

Tom Eblen, Director of NCCD

Biography of Anthony Everett

D. Anthony Everett is the Associate Director for New Church and Congregational Development for African American Ministries in the Kentucky Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. 

Prior to this position, Everett served as the Youth Pastor at the Hamilton Park and Highland Hills United Methodist Churches in Dallas, Texas.  He has also served as the Associate Pastor for Minorities for the SMU Wesley Foundation. 

Everett is a certified candidate for the ministry of Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church.  He attended Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University where in May of 2008 he received the Master of Divinity degree with Urban Ministry Certification.  He also has received the United Methodist Church National Plan for Hispanic-Latino Ministry Pastor Training Certificate.

Everett serves on the boards of the Texas Horse Park Foundation, the Sankofa Foundation, and the Hamilton Park Youth Development Corporation.  He is a volunteer with the Amachi Program of Big Brothers / Big Sisters.

Everett was born in Washington, D.C.  In December of 2004, he received the Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management from Paul Quinn College magna cum laude.  He is a life member of Alpha Chi National Honor Society and an alumni member of Sigma Beta Delta International Business Honor Society.  He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.