Malcolm Burleigh Announces His Retirement

Malcolm P. Burleigh has announced his retirement as executive director for AG U.S. Missions, following nearly seven years in the role. The Assemblies of God Executive Presbytery has appointed Wilfredo “Choco” De Jesús as the new executive director of AG U.S. Missions.

As executive director of AG U.S. Missions, Burleigh was one of six members elected to serve on the AG Executive Leadership Team. Burleigh assumed the role following the retirement of Zollie Smith. U.S. Missions includes 1,057 appointed U.S. missionaries, retirees, candidates, and spouses, 832 endorsed chaplains, 1,231 missions associates and spouses, and 292 career associates and spouses.

Prior to serving as executive director, Burleigh served for eight years as the senior director of Intercultural Ministries, one of the seven departments making up U.S. Missions. Burleigh previously served as lead pastor of Living Faith Assembly of God in Tampa, Florida, from 1992 to 2009 and as president of the AG National Black Fellowship from 2008-2012.

Burleigh says, “It has been a ministry highlight to serve our Fellowship in this role. I will cherish this ministry experience in my heart forever.”

AG General Superintendent Doug Clay says, “Malcolm has been a valued fellow officer. He has always demonstrated, in deed and conviction, his frequently quoted axiom, ‘The team you’re on is more important than the team you lead.’”

Malcolm and his wife, Maria, have two daughters, one son, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Burleigh’s retirement will be effective June 1, 2024.

The General Council Bylaws call for the Executive Presbytery to fill the unexpired term of an executive officer and they have unanimously appointed Choco De Jesús to serve the remainder of the Burleigh’s unexpired term. De Jesús currently serves as general treasurer of the Assemblies of God — a role also serving on the Executive Leadership Team.

De Jesús began serving as general treasurer in 2019 and has served on the Executive Presbytery since 2015. He previously served as lead pastor of New Life Covenant Church in Chicago from 2000-2019. During his tenure, the church grew to 17,000 adherents in multiple locations, focusing ministry on the poor, homeless, prostitutes, drug addicts, and gang members. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three adult children and seven grandchildren.

The Executive Presbytery is committed to its role to appoint an individual to fulfill the unexpired term of general treasurer.