Twentieth Episcopal District

Bishop Ronnie E. Brailsford

            Bishop Brailsford is a native of South Carolina, born and raised in Clarendon County. He was elected and consecrated the 136th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church during the 50th Quadrennial General Conference held in Philadelphia, PA, July 5th – 13th, 2016.  With this honor, he is the Presiding Prelate of the 20th Episcopal District  of the A.M.E. Church that comprises of nearly 200 churches in the African countries of Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, and Mozambique.  He graduated in 1976 from Scott’s Branch High School of Summerton, SC as Valedictorian, and is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. His Master of Divinity degree was earned at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, GA. During his tenure at ITC, he was a Benjamin E. Mays Fellow and a John Middleton Scholar. An honorary Doctor of Divinity degree was bestowed upon him by A.M.E. University of Monrovia, Liberia. He did further studies in the Doctor of Ministry program at I.T.C. and he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in 2007 from United Theological Seminary.He was licensed to preach January 20, 1980 at his home church, Historic Liberty Hill A.M.E. Church in Summerton, SC. He pastored Amanda Flipper A.M.E. Church, Decatur, Georgia; associate pastor at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church, Atlanta, GA.; and pastor of Mt. Carmel A.M.E. Church, Gray Court, SC. 

He has received many academic, professional and community awards and honors. In 1999 he was inducted with Bishop Desmond Tutu, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, Rev. Bernice King and others into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. Ministry abroad include the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Liberia, Namibia, Swaziland, Malawi, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Lesotho and South Africa.

            A leadership that is defined by perpetual motion and progress continued during his tenure at Bethel A.M.E. Church. His arrival at 1528 Sumter Street on December 6, 1992 marked the beginning of a renaissance in the life and works of the church. His twenty-four years were  highlighted by exceptional spiritual, numerical, and financial growth. In 1995, under his leadership Bethel relocated from its Sumter Street site to 819 Woodrow Street and acquired an 86,000 square foot facility that sits on five acres of land. The one and one-half city blocks campus offers 366 parking spaces and has all the modern accommodations necessary to serve this present age, including 120 classrooms and offices, a Christian Life Center and Gymnasium. A new school, Bethel Learning Centers, was founded and accredited since 1995. Bethel Learning Centers became one of only five predominantly African American elementary schools in the entire state of South Carolina that accredited by South Carolina Independent School Association. Sixty plus new ministries were  established to better serve membership needs as well as the surrounding community. Also during his tenure more than 1,900 persons joined the church; and over $8,000,000.00 (eight million) in assets were added to the church, including a $3,000,000.00 new school building project completed in 2008. Under his leadership, the church’s overall annual revenue grew from $160,000.00 in 1992 to nearly $2,000,000.00 annually.

            In 1983, he married Carolyn Elizabeth Irvin. They are partners in marriage and ministry. She is the Supervisor of the 20th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church, an Itinerant Elder in the A.M.E. Church, was Minister of Worship Arts at Bethel A.M.E. and a professional recording artist. She was the founder and director of the highly regarded CaBrailSong School of Vocal Arts in Columbia, SC. They have three children: one daughter, Veronica-Carol, two sons: Ronnie Jr. and David; two daughters-in love, Ashley and Erica; and three grands, Harper, Kyndal and Gracen. He is a very devoted husband, father, bishop, and community leader.