Simms4Bishop2024

About the Candidate

• Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Son of Moses Simms, Sr. (Deceased) and Evelyn M. Simms, a WMS Life Member

• To this union he is the youngest of three sons and two daughters; all three sons and one daughter are A.M.E. Itinerant Elders.

• Wife for over 37 years: Rev. Karen D. Simms an Itinerant Elder and Pastor.

• Children: Brandon Malik, Kiara DeShea, and Grandson, Priest Ermias

• B.S. Degree in Electronic Engineering, 1989, Southern University and A & M College (SUBR), Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Master of Divinity, 1993, Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA

• Doctor of Ministry, 2014, Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, OH. (In collaboration with Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, OH)

• Accepted his calling to the ministry in 1985

• Pastoral Ministry since August 1993

• Over 15 years of professional supervisory/managerial experience

• Over 6 years in the Office of Sponsored Programs at SUBR which provided oversight for over $20 million in grant funding

​

Service to the Church

• Served in three of the four conferences of the 8th Episcopal District, including Louisiana, Central North Louisiana and North Mississippi

• Four Pastoral Charges: Greater Turner Chapel, Greensburg, LA (2014-Present), Greater Powell Chapel, Grenada, MS (2006-2014), Lee Chapel, Morgan City, LA (2001-2006), Cummings Temple, New Orleans, LA (1993-2001),

• General Conference Delegate: 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2021

• General Conference 1st Alternate: 2004

​

General Board Commissions:

• 2008 – 2012: Statistics and Finance, Economic Development, and Global Development

• 2012 – 2016: Statistics and Finance (Elected Assistant Secretary) and Annuity Investments and Insurance

​

General Conference Committees:

• 2008 Revisions Committee

• 2012 Revisions Committee (Elected Sub-Committee Chair)

• 2012 Compilation Committee

​

Episcopal District/Annual Conference:

• 8th Episcopal District Treasurer: 2013 – Present

• Louisiana Conference Trustee: 2014 – Present

• North Mississippi Conference Trustee: 2010 – 2014

​

Board of Examiners:

• Louisiana Conference Chair: 2014 – Present

• North Mississippi Conference Dean/Chair: 2006 – 2014

• Central Louisiana Conference Dean/Chair: 2001 – 2006

• Louisiana Conference Board Member: 1995 – 2001  

​

Service to the Community

• Founder of Louisiana Initiatives for Empowerment (LIFE), in Greensburg, Louisiana. LIFE currently collaborates with the LSU AgCenter in providing seasonal Farmer's Market for local and surrounding area farmers a platform to market their products. This helps farmers to liquidate their merchandise while reducing market losses and increasing productivity and profit.

• LIFE also collaborates with the St. Helena Healthy Communities Coalition, which provides healthier choices for the residents of the community.

• Elected and served two years as the President of the Board of Directors for the Florida Parishes Regional Black Chamber of Commerce.

• Served as a member of the advisory board for the National Small Business Association, an organization that supports legislation and policies that will improve and positively impact small businesses.

• Served as the Chair of the Board for the Powell Chapel Housing Development Corporation, which provided oversight of an Elderly Housing Complex through a collaborative agreement with HUD. The Board was responsible for making sure that the management firm adhered to the certifications and regulations of HUD. While serving as Chair for eight years, we received an unqualified audit from an external CPA while obtaining a B plus rating from HUD’s national external review board for a 202 PRAC Housing Project.

• Organized and secured 501 (c) 3 statuses for the Greater Powell Chapel C.D.C. (Chair) and the North Mississippi C.D.C.

• Served 3 years as an Election Commissioner for the City of Grenada

• Served 4 years on the Grenada Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and concluded services as President-Elect in 2014

• Founder of Christians Aiming to Reach Everyone (CARE) C.D.C. in Morgan City, LA, and was instrumental in the formation and incorporation of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance for Morgan City

• Founder of Allen C.D.C.: Affordable Housing Project, partnering with Hibernia National Bank, that provided a 3.7 million dollar line of credit at 0% interest, to develop thirty single-family homes.