CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY
Social Concerns Ministry
BLACK HISTORY UNSUNG HERO AWARDEES 2024
EDWARD P. WIMBERLY, PH. D.
Dr. Edward Wimberly was born in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In their remarks on his ministry and scholarship in the edited work called The Edward Wimberly Reader, Yale Professor Mary Clark Moschella and Illiff Theological Seminary’s President Dr. Lee H. Butler Jr. wrote: “Living into his call from God, the Reverend Doctor Edward P. Wimberly made an impact that helped change the game. His twenty-one books and forty articles constitute a treasure trove of evolving insight, relationship counseling, and practical approaches to ministry. His critical reflections span the arenas of care, counseling, religious education, homiletics, and public theology.” (p. 4). Furthermore, the publication which hosts a selection of Dr. Wimberly’s writings, further says that “Wimberly has been a distinguished and influential voice in the field of pastoral theology and care. His career has been dedicated to communicating the love of God for all people in the aftermath of America’s original sin— racism.” Where did it all begin? Edward Powell Wimberly, most often referred to as Dr. Ed, was called to Christian ministry at age 16. He entered Boston University School of Theology in 1965 after college graduation from the University of Arizona and followed seminary with a Ph.D. Degree in Pastoral Psychology and Care. As UMC pastor in the New England Conference from 1966-75, he served as a community minister and civil rights activist as well as pastoral care staff member of the Worcester Area Council of Churches. He participated in prison reform efforts in Massachusetts, started a free-breakfast program in his local church, and promoted political involvement of Worcester’s Black citizens.
His role as theological educator in pastoral psychology and care began in 1975 at Interdenominational Theological Center, continued at Oral Roberts School of Theology, followed by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and then returning to ITC. Dr. Wimberly became ITC’s Ninth President. He has been Visiting Professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and Africa University in Zimbabwe as well as Lecturer and External Examiner at the University of Pretoria South Africa and the University of West Indies in Jamaica. He served on: the Board of Directors of the United Methodist Children’s Home in Decatur, Georgia; the Trinity Community Homeless Ministry Board of Directors and the building of the TrinityBig Bethel AME Shelter and Services for homeless men in Atlanta; Board of Directors of the Concerned Black Clergy interfaith organization. He developed pastoral care and counseling protocols for the National Center for Bio-ethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University, and used them in forums with descendents of the 1932-1972 syphilis study. As a licensed Marriage and Family therapist, he has been a global presenter and workshop leader. He was honored as a Distinguished Alumni/ae of Boston University School of Theology in 2012 and as Distinguished Alumni/ae of the University of Arizona, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in 2014. His focus on people’s stories is prominent in his extensive list of publications including the popular Pastoral Care in the Black Church which was the first in pastoral care published by an African American; Recalling Our Own Stories: Spiritual Renewal for Religious Caregivers; African American Pastoral Care; and Relational Refugees: Alienation and Reincorporation in African American Churches and Communities in addition to several Bible Studies for the United Methodist Church.
ANNE E. STREATY WIMBERLY, PH.D
“Dr. Anne,” as she is fondly known, Native of Anderson, Indiana, is Professor Emerita of Christian Education; the Visionary and Executive Director Emerita and currently Senior Advisor of the Youth Hope-Builders Academy (YHBA), a theological program for high school youth, and the Connecting With Hope Innovation Hub (CWHIH) young adult ministry initiative at Interdenominational Theological Center. In her role as YHBA Director, she developed a Pan-African focus with units in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. Dr. Anne holds an undergraduate degree in music education from Ohio State University; a graduate degree in music from Boston University; a seminary degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary; a graduate certificate in gerontology and Ph.D.in Educational Leadership with cognate in gerontology from Georgia State University; and engaged in post-doctoral studies at the School of Theology at Claremont, California. Her more than six decades as an educator began in a mission school for Mexican and Indian girls in New Mexico followed by public school teaching in Detroit, Michigan; Newton and Worcester, Massachusetts; then in higher education at Worcester State College in Massachusetts and Atlanta Metropolitan College. Her role as a Theological Educator occurred at Oral Roberts University; Africa University in Mutare Zimbabwe; ITC; as Visiting Professor at the Emory University Candler School of Theology and at Yale Divinity School; and Visiting Scholar/Lecturer at the University of Pretoria South Africa, the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology in Ethiopia, Emmanuel College of Victoria University in Canada, and presentations at international conferences in Cameroon and India alongside workshop leadership across the U.S. and abroad. She was an ongoing lecturer at the Yale Youth Ministry Institute and served on the Advisory Board of the Yale Joy and Adolescent Faith and Flourishing (JAFF) Project. With her husband, Dr. Edward Wimberly, she led the Annual Day of Healing forums at the Tuskegee Bio-ethics Center for descendants of the 1932-1972 Syphilis Study. Along the way, she was director of the first shelter for homeless people in Evanston, Illinois, President of the Religious Association and the first Black president of the Association of Professors and Researchers in Religious Education. She has numerous published books, chapters in books, and articles. Among them are: From Lament to Advocacy: Black Religious Education and Public Ministry for which she was a general editor and author of chapters; Raising Hope: Four Paths to Courageous Living for Black Youth; Soul Stories: African American Christian Education; Nurturing Faith and Hope: Worship as a Model for Christian Education; and Youth Ministry in the Black Church: Centered in Hope. She is listed in the online database of noted Christian educators of the 20th Century at the Biola University Talbot School of Theology.
DRS. EDWARD & ANNE WIMBERLY
Persons who have attended marriage enrichment workshops led by Drs. Edward and Anne Wimberly know of their story of how, on his first Sunday in seminary at Boston University, Ed Wimberly saw Anne Streaty in chapel but did not get a chance to meet her until the next day when she was about to enter the School of Fine and Applied Arts. As she crossed the street, he yelled, “Hey, didn’t I see you in chapel yesterday?” to which she replied “Maybe.” In the following conversation, they discovered that both were Boston University graduate students and United Methodist preachers’ kids. Their friendship grew, love blossomed, and they married nearly 58 years ago in June 1966. Their marriage became a lifelong partnership in loving relationship, ministry, and scholarship. In sharing about this partnership, they say that they were “called in marriage and called in ministry together by God.” In fact, they decided not to do the traditional honeymoon, but rather, to carry out a summer in a care-giving ministry for Navajo Indian migrant workers on the Western slope of Colorado, sponsored by the Colorado Council of Churches. God’s calling on their lives was not simply as a couple, but as individuals. Each of them has followed God’s leading in their lives through years of service in church, educational institutions, and community.
Drs. Ed and Anne have forever considered the Ben Hill UMC family a Blessing. It has been their joy to have been presenters at Ben Hill Marriage Enrichment Events. And Dr. Anne served as leader of adult participants at Ben Hill VBS sessions, *and she was part of the Ben Hill Visioning Team which developed the Ben Hill Vision Statement. The Wimberly’s are continuing major contributors to the Food Bank.
BISHOP CORNELIUS LINTON HENDERSON
“Legacy of Evangelism and Love”
Cornelius Linton Henderson was born September 12, 1934, in Covington, GA. He was Blessed to meet his lifelong Love, Dororthy Carithers and the were joined as one in Holy Matrimony on June 7, 1959. Their union was blessed with a beautiful daughter, Leah Dor-Lyn and later, Son-in-Love Disralei W. Smith, Sr. and two handsome grandsons Disralei W. Smith, II and Cornelius Linton Henderson Smith.
He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fort Valley State, Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia
Master of Divinity, Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia, Matriculated at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia Master of Sacred Theology, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia, Doctor of Divinity, Clark College, Doctor of Divinity, Gammon Theological Seminary, Doctor of Divinity, Bethune-Cookman College, Doctor of Laws, Dillard University, Doctor of Humane Letters, Florida Southern College, Doctor of Divinity, Rust College.
Bishop Henderson’s Honors and Awards are too numerous, but to name a few he was Listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Man of the Year, Y’s Men International Advisor to President Jimmy Carter on Panama Canal, Who’s Who in the Methodist Church, Inducted into the African American Biography Hall of Fame, April 1994, and Listed in November 1993 issue of Ebony Magazine among Outstanding Black Preachers in America.
His Ministerial Appointments began in 1955 as Assistant Pastor, Fort Street Methodist Church in Atlanta, GA and 1956 became Pastor at Mt. Zion and Warren Chapel Methodist Churches, Athens and Commerce, GA, elected Superintendent in 1967, Atlanta North District, North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church, and in 1975 he became the First African-American Pastor of Ben Hill UMC where he remained for 11 wonderful years until he was appointed District Superintendent in 1986, Atlanta-Emory District, North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. He graced Ben Hill UMC once again in 1992 as Pastor until he became President-Dean of Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA in 1993. And in 1996 he was elected Bishop-Lake Junaluska, NC Consecrated as Bishop in the United Methodist Church, and finally on September 1, 1996, appointed Bishop to the Florida Episcopal Area. He was the First African American Leader of Florida Methodist.
Under Rev. Henderson’s leadership, in 1984 and 1985, Ben Hill UMC received awards for Evangelism in two areas-receiving the most members on confession in faith, and the largest net INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP for the Atlanta-College Park District. The membership INCREASED from 400 to more than 4,500, becoming one of the fastest growing Churches in Methodism. During his second tenure as Senior Pastor, the membership of Ben Hill was more than 6,700, the largest predominantly African American United Methodist Church in the world and THE LARGEST United Methodist Church in the Southeastern Jurisdiction. At his Highest, Membership rose to over 8,000 at Ben Hill UMC.
Bishop Henderson and his wife were able to be involved in many Missions including the World Mission to Korea, New World Missions to Australia, New Zealand, the Figi Islands, China, Japan, South and Central America. There were numerous more Missions and he was a Delegate, and Executive Committee Member to the World Methodist Conference in Honolulu, HI, 1981, Singapore, 1991 and Rio de Janeiro, 1996. Other Visits: Jamaica, Haiti, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Thailand, Hong Kong, South America, Cuba, Canada, Virgin Islands, Mexico, London, England, Okinawa, Africa, Angola, and Mozambique. Numerous preaching missions, retreats, Pastor's School, and Conferences across the U.S.A.
Rev. Henderson Leadership, Community Service, and other Affiliations were vast and to name of few, President, Sophomore Class, Fort Valley, President, Student Government Association, Clark Atlanta, President, National Alumni Association, Chairperson, Morehouse School of Medicines, Advisory Board, Founder and First President of Concerned Black Clergy of Metro Atlanta, and served as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Board of Trustees at Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Emory University, Atlanta and Bethune-Cookman College, Boys Club of America, Interim President of Gammon Theological Seminary, American Cancer Society, Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Founder and President, Black Christian Men, 2000 Plus, etc.
Bishop Cornelius Linton Hinton was the keynote Speaker to more than 50 Colleges/ and Universities and he was the speaker more than once to several of the Institutions of Higher Learning. Please see his full bio HERE.
DOROTHYE CARITHERS HENDERSON
"The Gentleman’s First Lady with a Servant’s Heart"
Dorothye Carithers was born August 31, 1938, in Commerce, GA. She is the Widow of Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson, Mother of a precious daughter Leah Henderson Smith (Disraeli, Sr.), and the grandmother of two talented and gifted grandsons, Disraeli W. Smith, II (Brittney) and Cornelius L. Henderson Smith (Tasha), and four great-grandchildren.
She graduated in June, 1955 from Union Institute High School, Athens, GA where she was Cited for Making all A’s (1-12th grade), In June, 1959 she graduated from Spelman College, Atlanta, GA with a B.A. degree in Biology, August 1967 Atlanta University, M.A. Science Education, June 1972 Peabody – Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, T6 Certification in Physical Science, August 1986 Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA Certification in Leadership.
Mrs. Henderson started her Illustrious Teaching Career in 1959 at Price High School, then went on to Glencliff Senior High in Nashville, TN teaching Physical Science to Gifted Students. In addition to Teaching Gifted Students, she was the Drug Counselor and Science Department Chairperson. She returned to Atlanta in 1975 to Douglass High where she remained for 20 years teaching Gifted Students. After 35 Glorious, Rewarding Years of pouring much knowledge into her students, she retired. However, she returned for one final dance at Southside High School in 2000 for 2 years as a Science Consultant.
Dorothye C. Henderson Received Numerous Awards and Honors including 4-year academic scholarships to Spelman College, Paine College, & Johnson C. Smith University, Six National Science Foundation grants for graduate study at Atlanta University & Vanderbilt University, The Elementary School in Muxungue, Mozambique (Africa) has been named in honor of Dorothye C. Henderson (School built by the Florida Conference), Honorary Doctorate of Humanities, Bethune-Cookman University, May 2015.
This First Lady has been privileged to attend every General and Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference since joining the United Methodist Church in 1959 and Attended every General Conference since 1960 to become fully acquainted with procedures, practices and laws for the Methodist/United Methodist Church to assist in mentoring clergy couples (Truly Amazing). Organized and teaching Sunday-, Conducting Workshops and Speaking at Worship Services across denominations, Mentoring clergy couples, seminary students and aspiring pastors. Mrs. Henderson also Organized and directed a 50 voice Children’s Anthems Choir at Andrews Chapel UMC –1960, President of Georgia Conference Ministers Wives, Organized the “Young at Heart Church School” class at Ben Hill UMC – 1977, Organized the “Couples in Christ Church School” class at Ben Hill UMC – 1980 (50 couples were active), .Motivational Speaker and Women’s Day Speaker for churches in North Georgia and Florida– ongoing, Mentor and Confidant for clergy families and church leaders, raised $18,000 in memory of Cornelius Henderson for this project in 2005 to name a few and was a Delegate to two World Methodist Conferences – Singapore (1991) and Rio (1996) alongside her husband.
