Rev. Dr. G. Dianne Lewis

Rev. Dr. G. Dianne Lewis, D. Min., BCC is a native of Delaware. The Reverend Dr. Lewis is an aspirant for Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2024. Her theme is “C.A.R.E.S. Enough to Make a Difference,” as a Compassionate, Accountable, Responsible, Effective Servant-leader for the AME Church. She is an advocate and activist for the good of all people. She is an endorsed federal Chaplain of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC). She serves as the Connectional President of the AME Chaplain Corps and President of the Henry McNeal Turner Chaplains Association (HMTCA). This membership allows her to serve as a member of the General Conference Commission on Chaplains and the General Board. She is a member of the Ninth Episcopal District where she serves as the pastor of Wilson Chapel AME Church in Grove Hill, Alabama, and collaborates as a member of the 9th Episcopal District Nichols Thomas-Grady Institute for training clergy.

Her connectional service in the AME Church includes two consecutive terms as the former President of the Alumni Association of Turner Theological Seminary based at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia. She has presided over several congregations in the First Episcopal District AME Church, the Sixth Episcopal District AME Church, and the Ninth Episcopal District for over 34 years of ministry. Dr. Lewis has functioned in several leadership capacities within her denomination since entering ministry, including Annual Conference Secretary, Annual Conference Assistant Treasurer, Annual Conference Trustee, and Women in Ministry. Also, she has been entrusted to serve on the Ministerial Efficiency Committee, Judicial Committee, and the Board of Examiners.

She earned the Master of Divinity Degree from Turner Theological Seminary at ITC, Atlanta, Georgia, with a concentration in Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care, with additional studies in Theology and Homiletics. Her leadership during her enrollment at ITC led to many honorable accomplishments including President of Student Government; Senior Class President (ITC-‘97); The Josephus R. Coan Award for Academic Honors (ITC), and she is a member of The National Honor Society of Theta Phi.

Dr. Lewis is a 2012 graduate of the Doctor of Ministry degree program from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, where her concentration was Practical Theology for Pastors, Chaplains, and Clinicians. Her dissertation, “Identifying Shame-based Issues in African American Adolescent Males: A Source for Ministry,” has elicited much attention from community leaders.

Dr. Lewis is the Executive Chief Chaplain for spiritual and religious care for over 3,000 personnel and 1,000 patients, and their families at the Veterans Affairs Augusta Health Care System in Augusta, Georgia. She is the only member of the AMEC to ever hold this position in the largest healthcare system in the United States. Her leadership has earned her the Gold Standard of Excellence in Leadership award for nine consecutive years. Previously, she has served as a staff chaplain at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia. She is the first recipient of the “2013-14 Charlie Norwood VA CPE Resident of the Year for Academic Excellence, Professionalism and Collegiality among Staff and Fellow Residents.” She is a Board-Certified Chaplain with the National Association of Veteran Affairs (NAVAC) Chaplains, and a clinical member of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.  Dr. Lewis is an active member of the Veterans Affairs Black Chaplains Association. She is the former VISN 7 Regional Lead Chaplain for Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Dr. Lewis provides leadership at the VA Augusta Health Care System as the Acting Assistant Medical Center Director on many occasions. She is a trained realtor, banker, and life insurance agent. She is a certified Consumer Credit Counselor with over 21 years as a Senior Career Counselor.

Dr. Lewis is married to the Presiding Elder Charles A. Lewis of the Magnificent Mobile District. She has two sons, Bradley and Isaac, and two daughters, Ebony and Kela.  Her theological disposition is “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward and that the Master you serve is Christ." Colossians 3:23, 24 NIV