Presiding Elder

Alvin Tyrone Durant, a native of Richmond, Virginia, has always had the church as a foundation in his life.  His faith in God began early while growing up as a member of the Hood Temple A. M. E. Zion Church in Richmond, Virginia where he participated diligently in its ministries and activities.  His devotion to the church, coupled with the influence and guidance of his family and pastor, eventually led him into God’s service.

He attended the public schools of Richmond where he graduated from John Marshall High School.  In 1973, he entered Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree.  Soon after, he received his Master of Divinity from the School of Theology at Virginia Union University.  Dr. Durant’s accomplishments did not end there.  He was among the first group of students to enter the Doctor of Ministry degree program at Howard Divinity School in Washington, DC, receiving his Doctorate in 1982.  

For forty years Dr. Durant has been in the pastoral ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He has served at the Lee’s Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Chesterfield, Virginia, 1980-1981; David Temple’s A.M.E Zion Church, Courtland, Virginia, 1981-1983; St. Mark A.M.E. Zion Church, East Chicago, Indiana, 1983-1993 and Mother Zion A.M.E. Zion Church, New York, New York, 1993-2005.  His appointment as pastor of Mother Zion African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the “Mother Church of Zion Methodism,” though filled with many new challenges and responsibilities, was a tremendous honor and privilege. In July 2005, Dr. Durant was appointed by Bishop Warren M. Brown the pastor of Union Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church. He passionately served Union Wesley AME Zion Church faithfully for fourteen years, and in May 2019 was appointed by Bishop W. Darin Moore, Presiding Elder of the Washington District African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. There are fifteen churches on the Washington District.

Dr. Durant has served the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in several capacities. This includes the Connectional Budget Board of the AME Zion Church, Washington District Director of Conference Studies and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Philadelphia and Baltimore Conference Chairman of the Finance Committee and Instructor for Conference Studies, and Mid Atlantic Episcopal District Dean of the Leadership Training Institute. He currently serves as a member of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Holy Orders Committee, Chairman of Conference Trustees Philadelphia and Baltimore Conference, and Mid Atlantic Episcopal District Chairman of Conference Trustees.
 
Dr. Durant has an untiring commitment and dedication to community service. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, acclaimed as one of the Outstanding Men in America by the Atlanta Jaycees, and is a former professor at the Maple Spring Baptist Bible College and Seminary.  On February 9, 2012, Dr. Durant was inducted into the Livingstone College Leaders Hall of Fame. This prestigious award is bestowed upon individuals who have given tirelessly of themselves as they serve their communities and/or their profession and have demonstrated the qualities of a servant-leader. 
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Dr. Durant has a strong belief and dedication to family. He is married to the former Brenda A. Pace of Tuskegee, Alabama, and they are the proud parents of one daughter, Nicole Dominique, one son Alvin Le’Mon, and daughter-in-law Shana. They are also the proud grandparents of one grandson, Ashton Josiah and two granddaughters, Dahlia Rose and Sydney Ann.