Bishop Charley Hames, Jr. was elected the 66th Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church on June 29, 2022, on the first ballot—an affirmation of both his leadership and legacy within the denomination. Upon his consecration, he was assigned to the Ninth Episcopal District, encompassing Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and California. Notably, he became the first Bishop in CME history to be assigned to the very region from which he was elected.

Prior to his episcopal service, Bishop Hames faithfully served for 20 years as Senior Pastor of Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church in Oakland, California. Under his visionary leadership, the congregation experienced extraordinary growth—from 81 members to more than 3,400— establishing it as one of the premier congregations in the San Francisco Bay Area and within the CME Church.

A servant-leader shaped by both humility and conviction, Bishop Hames has been recognized nationally for his influence in ministry and community engagement. He has prayed over congressional leaders on Capitol Hill and was twice named “Pastor of the Year” by his episcopal leaders. His commitment to justice and community uplift is reflected in his service as Chaplain of 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, Inc., former President of the Oakland Chapter of the National Action Network, and immediate past Chairman of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce.

Bishop Hames maintains active membership and leadership in several distinguished organizations. He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the National Association of Guardsmen, Inc., and the NAACP, and is an active member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. For 15 years, he served as KBLX 102.9 FM’s “Voice of Inspiration,” extending his pastoral reach across the San Francisco Bay Area's airwaves.

He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Evanston, Illinois), Lane College (Jackson, Tennessee), and Phillips School of Theology at the Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta, Georgia), as well as several nonprofit boards.

A passionate advocate for justice, Bishop Hames was among a select group of faith leaders invited to the White House in 2012 to meet with President Barack Obama following the killing of Trayvon Martin. His voice was subsequently sought by CNN to provide national commentary on the moment and its implications.

Academically, Bishop Hames holds a Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies from Chicago State University, a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Evangelism from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

He is the author of four books: Pressing Reset: When Life Forces You to Start Over Again; Exchange: Trading Your Brokenness for Exceptional Purpose; Notes From The Doctor: The 60-Day Devotional Treatment Plan for the Spirit; and Leveraged Leadership: Unlocking the Power of Influence, Impact, and AI.

Bishop Hames is married to Dr. Michelle J. Gaskill-Hames, President of Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii. He is the proud father of three children—Charles Jonathon, Elijah Immanuel, and Jael Deon—and the grandfather of Maxton.

Anchored in the enduring truth of 1 Corinthians 15:58, Bishop Hames continues to lead with steadfast faith and disciplined purpose: “Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord... because your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”