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In 2024, Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, Jr. was elected and consecrated as the 144th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio. He was assigned to lead the Ninth Episcopal District, which encompasses the state of Alabama. During the 2024-2028 quadrennial, he will also serve as the commission chair of the AME Women in Ministry.
A fourth-generation minister, Bishop McAllister accepted his calling to ministry in 1992. His journey in pastoral leadership led him to serve as the 35th Senior Minister of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, Florida.
As the pastor of Greater Institutional AME Church in Chicago, Illinois, Bishop McAllister spearheaded numerous initiatives to uplift the community. His leadership was instrumental in launching Come Home for Christmas, a program that provided aid to nearly 5,000 homeless, underprivileged adults and 2,000 children. Through his efforts, the church raised $700,000 to assist struggling families during the holiday season.
Bishop McAllister firmly believes that ministry should embody love for Christ and compassion for others. His guiding philosophy, “Our focus should demonstrate that we are on the CARING END of ministry,” has shaped his approach to service.
As the former President and CEO of Bethel Community Development Corporation (Bethel CDC), an outreach arm of the church, he supervised the construction and rehabilitation of 85 homes for low-income families in Tallahassee, totaling $15 million in development. Under his leadership, Bethel also built ten new rental homes for families in need. Additionally, he chaired the board of A Life Recovery Center, a facility offering drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, where nearly 2,000 men and women found the strength to overcome addiction.
Bishop McAllister’s vision extended beyond housing and recovery efforts. Through his leadership, Bethel’s annual Thanksgiving Basket Project has provided hearty meals for 2,500 individuals each year. He also spearheaded the renovation of Bethel By The Lake, a 10-acre retreat site near the church. Enhancements included a restored fellowship hall, six new basketball courts, and a renovated commercial swimming pool. Within 22 months, the congregation raised $250,000 to pay off the mortgage on the property.
Bishop McAllister is deeply passionate about Christian stewardship, emphasizing that managing time, talent, and resources to serve God is a fundamental part of faith. His teachings on stewardship have inspired congregations to embrace tithing as a biblical mandate, leading to a significant increase in contributions. Over 16 years, Bethel AME Church averaged nearly $2 million annually in tithes and offerings.
His legacy within the African Methodist Episcopal Church is also deeply personal. As the son of Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, Sr., a retired AME bishop, and Mrs. Joan Marla McAllister, a former Episcopal Supervisor, he carries forward a rich heritage of faith and service. Bishop McAllister, Jr., and his father hold a unique place in history as the first father-son bishops to serve simultaneously in active episcopal ministry since the church’s founding in 1816.
In 2024, Bishop McAllister, Jr., presented himself for episcopal service for the first time and was elected on the first ballot with 988 votes.
Bishop McAllister is married to Deana Elizabeth Young, a dedicated educator and school administrator. She currently serves as an Assistant Superintendent for Leon County School District. Together, they are the proud parents of three children:
Through faith, service, and leadership, Bishop McAllister continues to impact the AME Church and the communities he serves.
Connecting Hearts, Transforming Lives, and Serving Our Community in Bessemer, Alabama.