Born: December 5, 1957

Married: Mrs. Camille C. Starnes

Children: Three Children, Five Grandchildren



Bishop Starnes graduated from Livingstone College where he received a B.A. degree in History. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Hood Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama.


Bishop Starnes has held pastorates at Wesley, Harrisburg, NC, Evans Metropolitan, Bennettsville, SC, Metropolitan, Birmingham, Alabama, Spottswood, New Britain, Connecticut, Thompkins Chapel Metropolitan, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Greater Warner Tabernacle, Knoxville, Tennessee and Mt. Moriah/Mt. Ararat Circuit, Richburg, SC. He was ordained a deacon in The A.M.E. Zion Church in 1977 and an elder in 1979. He was elected bishop on July 18, 2008 at the 48th Session of the General Conference as the 96th bishop in succession of the A.M.E. Zion Church.


Bishop Starnes has held and continues to hold a number of organizational positions that are related to or associated with evangelism. Among them are Director of Evangelism, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 1996 to 2008, Secretary of Evangelism, World Methodist Council, North American Section, 2006 to present, Chairman, Wesleyan Commission on Evangelism, 2006 to present, Vice President, National Council of Church of Christ, Evangelism Program Ministries Unit. He serves as Chairman of the following Administrative Boards: the American Bible Society Board and the Board of Health and Social Concerns. He serves as 1st Vice Chairman of Board of Church Extension and Home Missions; and as 2nd Vice Chairman of the Commission on Church Union. His also serves as a member of the World Council of Churches. Bishop Starnes is an Adjunct-Professor, Hood Theological Seminary and Beeson Divinity School, Birmingham, AL.