KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) has undergone a significant leadership transition with the election of Suffragan Bishop of Kingston Garth Minott as its new President. Bishop Minott will commence his two-year term this month, succeeding Bishop Christine Gooden-Benguche who completed her tenure after serving the organization for the past two years.
The ecclesiastical body announced its newly elected leadership cadre following its annual convening last month. Bishop Minott will be supported by three regional Vice-Presidents: Rev’d Pauline DaCosta of St John’s Methodist Church in Montego Bay (Cornwall), Most Rev’d John Persuad, Bishop of Mandeville (Middlesex), and Rev’d Karen Kirlew of the Greater Portmore Circuit of Baptist Churches (Surrey).
Beyond his diocesan responsibilities overseeing Kingston, Bishop Minott provides episcopal supervision to the Cayman Islands and multiple Jamaican parishes including Clarendon, St Catherine, St Andrew, St Thomas, St Mary, and Portland.
Bishop Minott brings extensive theological expertise to his new role, having served as Deputy President and lecturer at the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI) since 2003 prior to his ordination and consecration on June 11, 2022. He additionally coordinated the Doctor of Ministry program offered by Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia.
His academic portfolio includes instruction in practical theology, covering Introduction to Ministry, Christian Ethics, and Christian Worship. Before his academic career, Bishop Minott served as Rector of the Browns Town Cure following his ordination as deacon in 1992 and priest in 1993.
Bishop Minott holds a MPhil degree from the University of the West Indies focusing on the Church’s role in social justice and HIV/AIDS response, complemented by an MA in Theology from McGill University. His professional development extends to specialized training in Instructional Design, Research Skills, and Clinical Supervision. He has contributed significantly as a consultant on HIV/AIDS curriculum integration, served as a Voluntary Counselling and Testing provider, and participated on multiple ethics committees including those of the UWI Medical Faculty and National Bioethics Committee.
Bishop Minott is married to Dr. Denise Minott, and together they are parents to two sons, Mark and Stephen.