National- The African Methodist Episcopal Church announced the death of unexpected death of Bishop Anne Henning Byfield. The Right Reverend Elizabeth Anne Henning Byfield was one who dared to Live, Learn and Lead. She lived a life filled with creativity and passion as a psalmist, a poet, motivational speaker, preacher, spoken word artist, strategic consultant, writer, composer, wife, mother and grandmother. Known for her unique brand of leadership, presentation style, humor and passion for living; Anne Henning Byfield leads by example, inspires, and developed others to lead their best life.
She wrote the litany used for Mrs. Rosa Parks’ funeral in Detroit, Michigan, and Congresswoman Julia Carson’s funeral in Indianapolis. She performed in many Spoken Word settings. Her book of poetry The Essence of my Existence was released in 2010 and in second publication. Flowing Essence a Spoken Word CD is also released. She also created art cards, which fused social and spiritual consciousness with poetry. Married to Ainsley, they have one son, Michael, and a grandson, Miles.
Her other works include: Let the Worship Begin, A book of Liturgy; Odyssey-a Girls Mentoring Program, Preparing Leaders for Leadership; The Church’s Response to Hurricane Katrina; and Strengthening the Black Family (African American Lectionary). She is included in the 4th Edition of Those Preaching Women and the Fall 2009 edition of the African American Pulpit with an article “Living Through Crisis”.
As a learner, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Wilberforce University, attended Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, and received her Masters of Divinity degree from Newburgh Theological Seminary; a Masters of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary; an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from R.R. Wright School of Religion, Johannesburg, South Africa: Harvard Divinity School/School of Government Summer Leadership Program for Community Development, and Ashland Seminary’s Pastors of Excellence. She also served on the Board of Payne Theological Seminary and was the Chancellor of Wilberforce University.
As a leader, she was considered both bold and authentic. She was the managing partner of AHB and Associates, which is a consulting firm to help clients unleash their talents. She conducted extensive training and consulting in organizational transformation and leadership development with universities, nonprofits, and faith-based institutions. Profiled in numerous newspapers, journals and books, she is included in The Trumpet to Zion and received the King Drum Major for Peace Award and Jarena Lee Preaching Award among others. She was Dean of the Fourth District Board of Examiners, a Payne Theological Seminary Board of Trustees member, Latino/African American Dialogue Group, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light. She was recognized as among the 15 most influential African Americans in Indianapolis and named one of its ten most influential pastors. She received the Legacy Award for over 25 years of leadership in Pastoral Health Initiatives, particularly in the HIV/AIDS community, and the City of Indianapolis Volunteer Award for community service.
At the July 2016 session of the General Conference, Bishop Byfield was elected as 135th Bishop in African Methodism. Her brother, the Right Reverend Cornal Garnett Henning, Sr. was the 112th elected and consecrated Bishop of the AME Church. Prior to her election as a Bishop, she served as Presiding Elder of the North District Indiana Annual Conference from 2009 for seven years and served as the Presiding Elder of the South District from 2005-2009. She was the first Presiding Elder who is female in the Fourth Episcopal District and known to be the first woman Presiding Elder whose father was Presiding Elder. She has served as Senior Pastor of three churches, Bethel AME Church, Bloomington, IN, Robinson Community AME Church, Indianapolis, and St. Paul AME Church, Detroit, MI. At every charge including the South District, significant spiritual, financial, numerical and community growth were realized.
From 2016-2021, she served as the Bishop of the 16th Episcopal District, leading seven annual conferences representing fourteen countries in the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. During her tenure, six churches have been established in the district, a vocational school in Haiti, an orphanage in Haiti, and a children’s mission in Haiti. Sustainability projects have been initiated in the Virgin Islands and Jamaica, and theological partnerships have been established in the Dominican Republic and Cuba. From 2021 until her retirement, she served as the Bishop of the 13th Episcopal District, comprised of Tennessee and Kentucky. She established theological partnerships, clergy mentoring partnerships, and a sustainable growth and spiritual development legacy.
Bishop Byfield transitioned on the morning of October 3, 2024.
