Rt. Rev. Dr. Silvester Scott Beaman
Bishop Silvester Scott Beaman
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Silvester Scott Beaman, a native of Niagara Falls, New York, is a distinguished leader in ministry, public service, and global engagement. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wilberforce University and a Master of Divinity from Boston University. In recognition of his exemplary service in Christian ministry and public leadership, he was awarded the Doctor of Divinity degree by Richard Wright Theological Seminary in Evanston, South Africa. In June 2012, he became the first to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree from the joint seminary program of Payne Theo logical Seminary (Wilberforce, Ohio) and Bakke Graduate University (Seattle, Washington).
Dr. Beaman began his pastoral career in 1985 at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Lackawanna, New York. In 1986, he was appointed to the historic St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Hamilton, Bermuda. Under his leadership, the church significantly reduced its $1.3 million debt, expanded youth programming, launched new ministries, and created the Fairhaven Christian Drug Rehabilitation Center for women.
On May 30, 1993, Dr. Beaman was appointed pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Wilmington, Delaware, where he welcomed over 2,700 new members during his tenure. Under his visionary leadership, the church underwent extensive renovations, including a $500,000 sanctuary technology upgrade. He established more than 50 new ministries, including the AIDS Task Force, mentoring initiatives for youth, senior citizen outreach, suicide prevention programs, and a comprehensive community evangelism strategy.
In 2001, Dr. Beaman and his wife, Renee, founded the Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, a full-service HIV/AIDS testing, medical, out reach, and education facility located on the church campus. To date, it has served thousands of Delawareans annually, providing critical health and support services.
Dr. Beaman has served on numerous local, national, and international boards, governmental task forces, and commissions. He is the former president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Action Council of Wilmington and a member of the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Prince Hall Masons, Star of the East Lodge #1.
During his farewell service as Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Delaware Governor John Carney honored him with the state’s highest civilian recognition—the First Order of the State Award. A respected spiritual voice, Dr. Bea man is among the few clergy in the United States who have delivered prayers in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.
In a moment of national significance, Dr. Beaman was personally selected by President Joseph R. Biden to deliver the benediction at his presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021. The Beaman and Biden families have shared a close friendship for over three decades.
On July 11, 2021, Dr. Beaman was elected and consecrated as the 139th Bishop of the African Meth odist Episcopal Church during the General Conference in Orlando, Florida. He was initially assigned to serve the 15th Episcopal District, encompassing Namibia, Angola, and several regions in South Africa. In 2024, during the subsequent General Conference, Bishop Beaman was reassigned to serve as Presiding Prelate of the 12th Episcopal District, which includes Arkansas and Oklahoma.
President Biden appointed Bish op Beaman as Chair of the Presi dent’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the Unit ed States, a 12-member body advis ing on strengthening ties between African American communities and the global African diaspora. Council members include actress Viola Davis, former Spelman Col lege President Dr. Helene Gayle, Spelman’s current President Roz Brewer (former CEO of Sam’s Club and Walgreens), C.D. Glin of the PepsiCo Foundation, and WNBA All-Star and ESPN broadcaster Chiney Ogwumike. Dr. Beaman served with distinction during the Biden Administration.
Bishop Beaman has been mar ried for over 40 years to his child hood sweetheart and best friend, Renée Palmore Beaman, RN. Renée served for a decade as the Governor-appointed Director of the Delaware Division of State Ser vice Centers, overseeing 15 centers across the state, the State Office of Volunteerism, and the Office of Community Services. She currently serves as Director of Community Engagement for the Behavioral Health Consortium in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Together, they are the proud parents of two daughters, Asaiah (married to Gregory Fisher) and Kori (married to Walter Cheatham), and the joyful grandparents of five: Maliah, Gabrielle, Gregory Mason, Kaim and Zari.