THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 25, 1994 TAG: 9408250579
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B01 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
The Rev. Dr. Charles L. Foster has been named president of the National Association Council of Community Churches of America and Elsewhere Inc.
Foster, pastor of Holy Trinity Community Church, was elected to a three-year term during the organization's national convention here last weekend.
Several hundred members from as far away as Chicago came to Elizabeth City for three days of meetings, socials and worship.
``It was the largest convention we've had in the history of the national council,'' Foster said Wednesday. ``Not only that, it was the most spiritual.''
Foster and two ministers from Washington, D.C., were candidates for president.
``It was just amazing that I was able to win with such competition for that position,'' he said. ``I look upon it as being a miracle.''
The Rev. Dr. Willie McNair of Mt. Zion Community Church in Norfolk was named national vice president. The Rev. John McIntyre, pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Community Church in Cumberland, Md., was elected second vice president.
Other officers are Lena James of Elizabeth City, who is the new national secretary, and Sarah Britton Thompson of Elizabeth City, who will serve on the National Trustee Board and as president of the Women Christian Service Council.
The council selected Elizabeth City for its national convention after a similar meeting here several years ago, Foster said.
``The hospitality was so outstanding that the national body wanted to return to Elizabeth City,'' the minister said.
Foster thanked the Elizabeth City Police Department, area motels and businesses and local media for helping make the convention a success.
Foster also is a counselor and part-time instructor at Elizabeth City State University. He is running for the N.C. House of Representatives against W.C. ``Bill'' Owens in November.
As the community church council's new president, Foster said he wants to finish plans for a theological seminary in Nigeria. He also will recommend the next national convention be held in the Bahamas. by CNB