Conference names new Coordinator of Multi-Ethnic Initiatives
The Oklahoma Conference has appointed Rev. Bessie Hamilton as the new Coordinator of Multi-Ethnic Initiatives for the conference. Hamilton will serve in the role on a part-time basis as she continues to serve as an associate pastor at OKC-Quayle.
“I’m excited about the journey ahead,” Hamilton said. “You have a number of conferences that are doing work around multi-ethnic, multi-cultural ministry. I think the work we do can possibly be a model for other conferences: to be inclusive, to welcome all, to build something.”
Hamilton will serve as a liaison between the conference and the ministries represented by Minority Local Church Concerns Ministry Team, including Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century (SBC 21), Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW), Commission on Religion and Race (CORR), and Hispanic/Latino Ministry (HLM). She will also develop an Asian Ministries Committee.
“Hamilton’s leadership, experiences and background will bring a depth to the ACC staff that’s currently missing,” said Rev. Derrek Belase, the conference director of connectional ministries.
Hamilton said she hopes her work helps bring multi-ethnic and multi-cultural initiatives together at the conference level.
“A lot of times we’re doing great work, and we just need somebody to say, ‘Where are we headed,’ and I think that my role would be to help push the vision forward, to act as a catalyst,... I pray it would be an opportunity to help the conference to see the importance of having intercultural ministries,” Hamilton said. “I think the OKUMC has the opportunity to be a model not just for United Methodist churches but a model for bringing people together to build something beautiful.”