President of the Ohio Conference
Coming onto the WAU Board in 2012, Henry J. Fordham, III, brings with him a bank of knowledge and experience. In his youth, he attended both Pine Forge and Oakwood Academies. He is a certified X-Ray Technician and a graduate of the Benjamin Franklin School of Science and Arts. He married Sharon Elaine Wright and shortly after the birth of their last child, he responded to the call of the Holy Spirit and began preparing for ministry. It was then that he enrolled in Oakwood University (OU). After graduating from OU with a double major in history and theology, he completed his master’s degree in Jewish history at The Ohio State University, entered church ministry as a teacher, and later became a minister. As an ordained minister he pastored a number of churches, served as Director of Religious Liberty for the Allegheny East Conference, and conducted evangelistic campaigns in Africa, South America, Australia, India, and Puerto Rico. One of the highlights of his career was meeting Mother Theresa in person.Â
Elder Fordham has served on various committees of the Allegheny East Conference, Columbia Union, and the General Conference. He has received recognition as an outstanding citizen from the cities of Baltimore, Maryland; Louisville, Kentucky; and the U.S. Congress. In December 2010, he received a doctorate in Theology from the United Theological Research University. In October 2012, Elder Fordham was elected president of the Allegheny East Conference.Â