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Bishop Darrell Cummings, right, is anointed with oil during his consecration ceremony at the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Convention in Baltimore.
WHEELING — Bishop Darrell Cummings is becoming Bishop of the Eastern Cape of South Africa following a consecration ceremony on Thursday, though he still has two more installation events to go.
Cummings’ consecration took place Thursday morning during the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Convention happening this week in Baltimore. He was one of six bishops to be installed during the ceremony.
On Sept. 20, he will have his installation day at the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple in Wheeling where he is pastor. In October, he will travel to South Africa for his final ceremony among the people of the country.
“I’ve gone to South Africa four or five times,” Cummings said. “I will go again in October, and this time I will go before the people as their bishop.”
Among the comments made by Bishop Charles H. Finnell, who presided over the consecration ceremony in Baltimore, was that the position of bishop is an honorable one.
“And you cannot fill an honorable position with people who are not honorable,” Finnell continued.
Cummings and his wife Latisha were anointed with oil as part of the ceremony, which began at 9 a.m. and lasted just under three hours.
“It was an amazing day,” Cummings said. “The day started early, and there’s another service tonight.
“It is a life-changing moment. I am humbled and honored I was chosen.”
Cummings will be one of three PAW bishops in South Africa, with the others serving the western side of South Africa and its northern part.
During the ceremony, Cummings said he couldn’t help but think of his family, many of whom have served as pastors and bishops.
Cummings said among those attending his consecration were his mother, brothers, sisters, children and his wife’s family.
“It was almost like a family reunion. I was appreciative of the love,” Cummings said.
He said he “feels recognized” after being selected bishop, but he still feels he has a long way to go at home.
“We’re moving in the right direction, but there are still some things we come really short in,” Cummings explained. “We haven’t affected the community as much as we would like, but it’s not over yet. Give us more time to accomplish things.
“I hope to be back this weekend, and we hope to make it more of a community celebration in September,” he added.
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