Evangelical Lutheran Church in America elects first black leader.
The Rev. Yehiel Curry, the first African American presiding bishop of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, gives remarks at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona shortly after being elected. | YouTube/Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaThe Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has elected its first African American presiding bishop to succeed the denomination's first female head.
The Rev. Yehiel Curry, bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, was elected to a six-year term as presiding bishop on Wednesday at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, held in Phoenix, Arizona.
Curry won on the fifth ballot, receiving 562 of the 799 votes cast. The Rev. Kevin Strickland, bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Synod, received 237 of the votes cast. CP.
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