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Preliminary Episcopal Nominees Announced for General Conference 2026
As of March 15, 2026, 28 individuals have been received as episcopal nominees by the Global Episcopacy Committee (GEC) of the Global Methodist Church.
This list reflects nominees submitted by Annual Conference delegations by the preferred deadline. Additional nominees may continue to be submitted by Annual Conferences through May 15, 2026. In the spirit of transparency and to support the work of delegations, the Global Methodist Church is releasing this preliminary list to allow delegations to begin their work of prayerful discernment in advance of the Area Committees on Episcopacy (AEC) assignment plenary session scheduled for May 31, 2026.
As previously announced, eight full-time bishops will be elected and consecrated at General Conference 2026, taking place August 30 through September 6, 2026, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Those elected will serve six-year terms beginning November 5, 2026.
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Atlanta Gathering Marks a Defining Moment for Global Methodist Leadership
On March 11–12, leaders of the Global Methodist Church gathered in Atlanta, Georgia for a historic meeting of the Assembly of Bishops, Connectional Council, Commission Chairs, and Executive Staff. This was the first time these leadership groups have all met together in person, and it was a moment we will not soon forget.
What pictures of these meetings cannot capture is the deep joy of laboring side by side with brothers and sisters from around the world to nurture a Church that only a few years ago existed as a vision. Over these days together, we experienced a spirit of hope, shared purpose, and growing clarity as we prayed, worshiped, discerned, and worked together for the good of the Church we love.
A significant part of our time together focused on deepening collaboration across the leadership structures of our church. While each body has a distinct calling, our work is deeply interconnected as we shape the culture of leadership for this new global church. We are learning together what it means to lead as servants, to cultivate trust across cultures and continents, and to steward faithfully the responsibility the Church has entrusted to us in this season.
| | A Defining Sunday: Nearly 700 Join Auburn Congregation in Shared Commitment | | |
On a Sunday that began before dawn in a high school gymnasium, a young congregation in Auburn, Alabama witnessed something few churches of any size or stage ever experience: nearly 700 people standing together to take vows of membership.
For the church leaders of Christ Methodist Church, the moment offers more than an inspiring story. It provides a case study in momentum, clarity of mission, and the often overlooked power of spiritual expectancy.
The church, still in its early years, has no permanent building. Its congregation gathers each week at a local academy, where volunteers arrive as early as 5 a.m. to transform a gym into a worship space with chairs, choir risers, and even a donated pipe organ assembled and disassembled week after week.
What could be seen as a limitation has, in practice, become formative.
“There are obstacles,” Dr. Tony McCullough, Senior Pastor, acknowledged, pointing to uncomfortable bleachers, constant setup, and the absence of traditional sacred space. “But once worship begins, it’s like we’re somewhere else entirely.”
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Connectional Council Announces Election of General Conference Administrative Committees
There are five administrative committees that shepherd the work of the General Conference, where delegates have a say in how the conference functions. These are: Agenda (in what order will the business of the conference be dealt with), Credentials (who is credentialed as a delegate), Journal (approves the accuracy of the minutes of the conference and advises the secretary on compiling the new Book of Doctrines and Discipline), Nominations (who is recommended to be elected to the general church commissions, councils, and committees), and Reference (what petitions are valid and what legislative committee should deal with each petition).
These committees are made up of General Conference delegates nominated by their delegation, recommended by the General Conference Commission, and elected by the Connectional Council.
The members elected by the Connectional Council are based on the following principles:
- People who are well qualified to do the work
- Representation from as many annual conferences as possible from the global church
- Each committee being half clergy and half lay
- Striving for gender balance
The Book of Doctrines and Discipline requires that members of the administrative committees shall have also been delegates to the preceding General Conference in Costa Rica. This requirement prevented most of the European, Filipino, or Latin American annual conferences from nominating anyone for these committees because their current delegates were not delegates in 2024.
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Worship Team Announces Preachers for the 2026 General Conference
The Worship Team of the General Conference Commission is pleased to announce the speakers who will proclaim the Word during the 2026 General Conference of the Global Methodist Church.
These preachers were selected through a thoughtful and prayerful process led by a special subcommittee of the Worship Team. A global call for considerations invited voices from across our connection, followed by a season of careful vetting and discernment. Through this process, the team sought individuals who reflect both the depth and diversity of our global church and who carry a clear and compelling call to preach.
We are grateful to share the following preachers who will serve throughout the conference:
- Bishop Kenneth Levingston
- Rev. David Saban, Mega Manila Annual Conference
- Rev. Luciano Pereira DaSilva, Panama Annual Conference
- Simon Mafunda, Africa Director of the Global Methodist Church
- Rev. Dr. Portia Kuzanga, Zimbabwe Annual Conference
- Rev. Diane Ury, National Ambassador for Holiness in The Salvation Army
- Rev. Mark Sorenson, Trinity Annual Conference
- Bishop Jeff Greenway
Each of these leaders brings a unique voice, perspective, and testimony of God’s work. Together, we believe the Lord will use them to faithfully proclaim the gospel and to amplify the spirit of our theme, The Beauty of Holiness. Their messages will help guide our time together as we seek to worship passionately, listen attentively, and respond faithfully to God’s call.
The Worship Team remains committed to shaping a worship experience that reflects the heart of the Global Methodist Church and creates space for the Holy Spirit to move among us in powerful and meaningful ways.
We are currently gathering additional information about each of the selected preachers and will be sharing more in the coming weeks. A dedicated webpage will soon be available on the General Conference website, beautyofholiness2026.org, where you can learn more about each speaker and their role in the life of the conference.
We invite the entire connection to join us in prayer for these preachers as they prepare, and for the 2026 General Conference as a whole, that it would be a time marked by unity, clarity, and a deep encounter with the presence of God.
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Mission Experience
Serve. Pray. Give.
Mission Experience invites everyone to take part in God’s work, together. Conference attendees can engage in hands-on service projects that bless local communities, while those who cannot attend can participate through prayer and giving. Every role matters, every gift makes a difference, and together we extend Christ’s love in tangible ways.
Visit the Missions Experience page for details on ways to participate and support this experience.
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Staff Spotlight: Catherine "Cat" Enns
Executive Assistant, Global Operations Office
| | As our Global Operations staff works to further the movement and mission of the Global Methodist Church, we want to serve you. Each month, learn about staff members on the Global Operations team and their areas of expertise and service. We strive to be an accessible and trusted resource and are excited for you to learn more about the team. | | |
With more than 30 years of ministry experience, Cat Enns brings a steady, servant-minded approach to her role at the Global Methodist Church.
She provides operational support to COO, Mike Schafer and also assists the Executive Director of Communications, Dianne Burnett. On a daily basis, she communicates with Bishops, Conference Superintendents, and other key leaders, and her strong organizational skills, combined with her diverse background, equip her to effectively support these groups in carrying out the mission of the church.
A graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Communication, she has served a wide range of roles throughout her career, including management, administration, customer service, sales, event planning, project management, and teaching. This diverse background allows her to play a pivotal role in the Global Operations Office.
She describes her role as both meaningful and deeply personal. The Global Methodist Church has provided a strong foundation for her theology and spiritual growth, and she considers it an honor to serve the denomination at the global level.
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North Alabama Annual Conference: Resourcing Churches, Fueling Growth
In the North Alabama Annual Conference, a clear theme is emerging. When churches are well resourced and trusted to lead locally, they flourish.
Since its launch in May 2023, the conference has focused less on top-down directives and more on equipping churches for effective ministry in their communities. That commitment is evident in leadership development, missions, financial health, and overall church vitality.
A core value is excellence in ministry. That focus was evident in a recent Preaching Conference featuring Dr. Jessica LaGrone, which brought together 80 clergy for a day of learning and encouragement. The following day, approximately 40 Certified Lay Ministers gathered for continued training centered on preaching.
This dual investment reflects a broader strategy of strengthening the pulpit while raising up new leaders within the church. The conference’s Certified Lay Ministry program is already identifying emerging leaders, with some discerning a call to pastoral ministry, reinforcing a commitment to developing leadership from within.
| | NORTH ALABAMA AT A GLANCE | | |
Episcopal Leadership
Bishop Carolyn Moore
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Conference Superintendent
Rev. Alan Beasley
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Ministerial Training Fund Update
The Ministerial Training Fund (MTF) loan program for Global Methodist certified candidates, as outlined in ¶511 of the Book of Doctrines and Discipline, is nearing rollout. A distribution formula is being finalized, with MTF funds expected to be disbursed to each annual conference later this Spring.
Each conference will receive an allocation and will oversee the administration of MTF loans within its region, including award amounts, application procedures, and candidate reporting expectations.
Certified candidates are encouraged to reach out to their conference to express interest, recognizing that some details are still in development.
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Across the Connection: Celebrating New Conferences and Emerging Areas
We are excited to share recent updates on new Annual Conferences, TCATs, and Emerging Areas across our global connection.
Latin America has been designated as a new Emerging Area, with Bishop Leah Hidde-Gregory providing episcopal leadership. In Peru, a convening annual conference was held earlier this month with Bishop Kenneth Levingston in attendance, formally establishing it as an annual conference. Afrika Mashariki has also been received as an annual conference, with Bishop Scott Jones present for this milestone.
In addition, Venezuela joined as a full annual conference under the leadership of Bishop Eduard Khegay, and we are pleased to welcome Myanmar, which has been approved as a TCAT.
We welcome our newest GMC connections and invite you to pray for them as they begin their journey with us.
Visit our Annual Conferences page to view all current Annual Conferences, TCATs, and Emerging Areas.
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Across the Globe: The Podcast
Curious what worship will look like at General Conference?
In the latest episode of Across the Globe: The Podcast, Dianne Burnett is joined by Tesia Mallory and Tracy Winters to pull back the curtain on what’s ahead in Johannesburg—and it’s something truly special.
Worship will reflect the heart of our global church. Voices from around the world. Languages that tell the story of our connection. Expressions of faith shaped by culture, yet united by the same Spirit.
From Hispanic to Korean to African traditions and beyond, this is more than a gathering—it’s a glimpse of what it looks like when the global Church worships together as one.
This isn’t just about music. It’s about making space for the Spirit to move in powerful and personal ways.
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Join Us: Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 8:00 am CT
In the next Connectional Conversations, we’ll be joined by Matt Conover, Executive Director of Finance, Harrison Bell, Chair of the Finance, Adminstration, Pensions, and Benefits, and Mike Schafer, Chief Connectional Operations Officer, who will walk through a review of the 2025 budget and share an overview of the 2026 budget. It’s a great opportunity to stay informed and hear directly from our leadership.
🔗 REGISTER to join: here
💬 QUESTIONS for Matt? Submit them in advance here.
Can't join us on April 2? No problem. We will be providing the recording of the event once available.
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Engage Training
by the Kingdom Advancement Commission
April 14-16, 2026
This session will be held at Living Hope Church in Clermont, Florida, hosted by the Florida Annual Conference.
Training is open to everyone, but we especially encourage
conference superintendents, officers, presiding elders, conference mission leaders and members, pastors and local church mission leaders.
Engage offers training in:
- The roles of annual conferences and local church mission leaders
- An introduction to GMC missions
- Biblical foundations
- Structuring for mission mobilization
- Building healthy partnerships
| | Share Your Story: Celebrating God at Work Across the GMC | | |
God is moving in powerful ways across the Global Methodist Church, and we want to help share those stories of faith, hope, and transformation.
We invite you to submit devotionals, personal testimonies, and encouraging stories that can be shared across our denomination. In particular, we would love to hear from:
- Individuals and teams who have participated in mission trips and witnessed God at work in meaningful ways
- New church plants and leaders willing to share their journey, challenges, and celebrations
- Churches and individuals with stories of faith, service, renewal, and transformation
Your story has the power to encourage, inspire, and strengthen our connection. If God is moving in your life or community, we want to hear about it!
You can submit your story using the link below and available on our website. Thank you for helping us celebrate and share what God is doing across the GMC.
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Live For Him Ministries
Live For Him Ministries trains and equips church leaders across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi, strengthening local ministry through biblical teaching and practical leadership development. Their Heartland Academy, located outside Bugiri, Uganda, serves as a central training hub for students in the region.
In addition to in-person training, they offer monthly online classes via Zoom, extending their reach to leaders across multiple nations. Through these combined efforts, the ministry is committed to raising up and resourcing faithful leaders for the local church and strengthening gospel impact.
To learn more, get involved, or support their work, visit their website below.
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For a Faithful Future
ESSAYS ON THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH A BOOK IN HONOR OF KEITH BOYETTE
For a Faithful Future is a compelling collection of essays and reflections from leaders who witnessed the formation of the Global Methodist Church firsthand. It offers both a behind-the-scenes look at this historic moment and a forward-looking vision for the church’s future.
Published in honor of Keith Boyette, whose leadership helped guide the movement from its earliest days starting at the WCA, this book is a meaningful resource for anyone invested in the life and mission of the GMC.
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WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!
communications@globalmethodist.org | 540.898.4960
www.globalmethodist.org
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