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Wesleyan Life

The Wesleyan Church Elects First Woman General Superintendent

Dr. Jo Anne Lyon wrote a new chapter in the history of The Wesleyan Church on June 9 when she was chosen as the denomination's first-ever woman General Superintendent. Dr. Lyon, founder and CEO of World Hope International, was elected on the second ballot.

"What a wonderful statement you have made as The Wesleyan Church," said outgoing General Superintendent Dr. Earle Wilson. "We have been trying to say to the Christian world that we believe in women in the ministry."

In her acceptance speech Dr. Lyon said that her father, who now is in heaven, trained her to serve the church. "My father used to tell people, 'I trained that girl to be a good churchman.'" She quipped, "He didn't know about gender-specific language." Lyon went on to say, "I believe the Lord is positioning The Wesleyan Church to have a voice in the 21st century like never before."

Dr. Lyon joined incumbents Dr. Thomas E. Armiger and Dr. Jerry G. Pence on the Board of General Superintendents, both of whom were reelected. Dr. Armiger has been a General Superintendent since 1997, and Dr. Pence has served since 2005.

General Superintendent Lyon succeeds Dr. Earle L. Wilson, who held the office for 24 years—the longest tenure for a General Superintendent in the Church's history. In his farewell remarks, Dr. Wilson noted that during his 52 years of service to The Wesleyan Church, he has had many titles. They include, pastor, college president, professor, and General Superintendent. "I now have a new title," Dr. Wilson said. "It is my last title, and it is my best title. I now sign these final remarks as Earle L. Wilson, Preacher of the Gospel.

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