The Rev. Dr. Steven L. Lyons was born in Sanford, NC and spent his early formative years in Cameron, NC and Rocky Mount, NC, graduating from the Rocky Mount Public School System. Dr. Lyons earned the Associate of Science Degree from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, Atlanta, GA, a Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Augustine’s University (Summa Cum Laude), Raleigh, NC and the Master of Divinity Degree (Summa Cum Laude) from Shaw University Divinity School also in Raleigh, NC. He has earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree, which was conferred upon him at Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC in May of 2016. The title of his Doctoral Project was “Utilizing the Class Leader System and the Official Board to Spiritually and Numerically Develop St. James AME Church, Winston-Salem.” He has completed further studies at Penn State, North Carolina State University and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is listed in Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities and has been honored by the Laurinburg Branch of The National Association of University Women as an African-American Man of Distinction.

Dr. Lyons ministerial career began at St. Paul AME Church, Raleigh, under the leadership of the late Presiding Elder Gregory L. Edmond. After receiving his Itinerant Deacon’s Ordination (2002) and Itinerant Elder’s Ordination (2004), Dr. Lyons became the Pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church, “Pankey Town” Laurinburg, NC, having been appointed by Bishop Vinton R. Anderson. In 2009, Bishop Adam J. Richardson Jr., appointed Dr. Lyons the Pastor of St. James AME Church, Winston-Salem, NC. Under his leadership, St. James hosted the 124th Session of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference. In 2018, Bishop James L. Davis appointed Dr. Lyons Pastor of Mount Zion AME Church, Hillsborough, NC. Each pastorate has experienced financial growth, new initiatives, programs and ministries and hosted many meetings, conferences and conventions. Debts were satisfied, mortgages burned, physical upgrades, renovations and upgrades completed.

On July 22, 2024, at the 2nd Episcopal District Planning Meeting held in Norfolk, VA, Bishop James L. Davis appointed Dr. Lyons the Presiding Elder of the Western District of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference.

Dr. Lyons has served as a Conference Trustee and is now a member of the Judiciary Committee and is a member of the Board of Examiners Admissions Class Instructor) and also serves on the RED Board, Inc. On the 2nd Episcopal District level, Dr. Lyons previously served as the Co-Chair of the Nehemiah Ministry. On the Connectional level, he is serving on the Preliminary Inquisition Committee of the AME Church. Dr. Lyons was elected as an Alternate Delegate to the 2016 General Conference and a delegate to the 2020 General Conference and the 2024 General Conference.

Dr. Lyons is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Phi Lambda Chapter, Raleigh) and serves as an Associate National Chaplain. Additionally, he is a member of the New Bern Avenue Corridor Alliance and the Southeast Raleigh Community Development Corporation. He is a member (and Past President) of the NC Board of Funeral Service, having been appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper, representing the NCFDA. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, the National Funeral Directors Association, the NC Funeral Directors and Morticians Association (Central District) and the NC Funeral Directors Association, Pi Sigma Eta and Epsilon Nu Delta (both Mortician Fraternities) and was recently elected a member of the Selected Independent Funeral Homes.

Dr. Lyons is married to the former Robin Nicole Johnson, a native of Raleigh, NC. Lady Lyons is a certified Paralegal with over twenty years of experience primarily focusing on Real Estate in the field of Real Estate work. A legacy member of the AME Church, aspiring Attorney and Funeral Director, she joins her husband in ministry, service and community activism.

His life’s calling and ministry is summed up in Isaiah 61:1-2; “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.”