International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
November 2, 2025
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The Global Methodist Church invites you and your church to join in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) on Sunday, November 2, 2025. This is a unique opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world as we lift our voices together.
IDOP is a time each year set aside to pray for Christians who stand as bold witnesses in the world’s most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ. During this time, we enter into fellowship with these brothers and sisters by praying for their families, needs and ministries.
Set aside Sunday, November 2 to observe IDOP corporately during worship services and individually during personal prayer.
IDOP Prayer Points
1. Ask God to protect the physical and spiritual safety of our Church family and to cover their practical needs and vocational training.
2. Ask for divine comfort, peace and hope for believers in their suffering, that they may stand strong in their faith and spread the Gospel with boldness.
3. Pray that the global Church would awaken to the plight of its persecuted family, rise in fervent prayer, provide tangible support and advocate tirelessly for all who suffer for their faith.
4. Pray for our Global Methodist family across Africa and Asia who face the threat of discrimination, oppression and violence.
Resources are available to help you and your church observe IDOP. Prayer guides, small group studies, sermon outlines, slides, bulletin inserts, videos and more are available at:
Global Christian Relief
Open Doors USA
Voice of the Martyrs
| | A New Day for Women's Ministry | | |
By Katy Kiser
The Global Methodist Church Women’s Ministry is connecting women in annual conferences and building a prayerful network that is in tune to the Holy Spirit.
As the Global Methodist Church was formed leading up to the official launch in May of 2022, the best minds in Methodism began to pray and envision a renewed and empowered Methodist movement. Many questions were being asked, one of which was, “Will the GMC offer something official for women?”
It was never in doubt that women would play important roles in both the clergy and laity of the GMC. During the days of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, women leaders began to dialog among themselves and pray seeking the Lord’s plan for women’s ministry in what became the GMC. A scripture emerged from Isaiah 43:18-20, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!”
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Paster Appreciation Month
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Thank you to our pastors who serve humbly and faithfully so that others may experience the love of Christ.
Take time to pray for and thank your pastor for the work they do day in and day out to serve your local church and beyond.
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Volunteer for Beauty of Holiness 2026 in Johannesburg, South Africa
Volunteers are essential to the success of General Conference. We are seeking dedicated individuals to help in a variety of roles, including:
Registration
Hospitality
Administrative
Prayer Team and Worship Support
Marshalls
As you prayerfully consider how you might serve, we encourage you to review the full roles and responsibilities listed on the General Conference website and submit your application to be part of this significant event. We invite you to join us in making this event a warm, welcoming and Spirit-filled experience for all who attend.
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November and December Prayer Guides
The Prayer Committee of the General Conference Commission invites you into a dedicated season of intercession. The newly released Prayer Guides, available in all six of our official languages, are designed to inform and enrich your prayers as we seek the Lord to empower, strengthen, and lead our Global Methodist movement, all to His great glory. As you pray, may you also be enriched and empowered in His Presence.
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Speaker Applications Due November 1
The Global Methodist Church is accepting speaker applications for the 2026 General Conference.
All applications must be submitted by November 1, 2025, at 12:00 PM (Central Time).
Please note: those invited to preach must agree not to stand for election to the episcopacy.
For questions, contact gcinfo@globalmethodist.org.
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Updated Episcopal Assignments
Our bishops serve annual conferences and emerging areas across the globe. Below are recent updates to the episcopal assignments.
Bishop Greenway’s assignment to the emerging area of Thailand has been expanded to include Myanmar and Vietnam.
Bishop Moore’s assignment to the Western States has been notated to include emerging work in Fiji. In addition, her assignment to the emerging area of India now includes the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Bishop Levingston is assigned to the emerging area of Brazil.
Bishop Webb is now assigned to the Florida Conference.
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Spirit-Filled Methodism: Assembly of Bishops Teaching Series
Every Tuesday, we will release a new video lesson from the Assembly of Bishops.
This new series focuses on encountering the Holy Spirit, the gifts and fruits of the spirit and how to cultivate God-given callings in community with one another.
NEW: You can now watch the lessons in five of our six official languages.
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2026 GMC Health Insurance Enrollment Information
In October, clergy members received an email from GuideStone inviting them to log into their MyGuideStone account to re-enroll for 2026. If no action is taken, your 2025 plan will automatically roll over to 2026. However, we strongly encourage you to review your options and make changes if needed to ensure your plan meets your needs. The deadline for making changes is Thursday, November 13, 2025. View the rates for 2026 below:
2026 Health Plan Comparison Chart
2026 Monthly Rate Chart
2026 Dental Rates
2026 Vision Rates
2026 Life/Disability/AD&D Rates
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Have questions?
If you have any questions or need to speak to someone on our Benefits Team, please email us at benefits@globalmethodist.org. You can also subscribe to our Benefit Bulletin for future updates.
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Staff Spotlight: Benefits Team
Brenda Harris, Health Insurance and Database Support
Teri Casson, Retirement
| | 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. | | | | |
Brenda Harris and Teri Casson serve as the benefits team for the Global Methodist Church.
Brenda acts as a bridge between the GMC, GuideStone and the Employee Benefits Corporation (EBC) and facilitates the benefits enrollment process for both clergy and lay employees, including everything from insurance to HSA/FSA sign-ups.
Teri serves as a liaison between the GMC Benefits office, GuideStone and the local church to facilitate timely benefits enrollment for eligible clergy. She is the EAP Administrator for the GMC retirement plan for denominational staff. This includes processing enrollments/terminations, updating salaries/contribution amounts and creating and paying the monthly retirement bill.
Both Brenda and Teri are pleased to serve the Global Methodist Church and support our clergy and employees.
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Conferences Commission: A Global Church on the Move
Since December 2024, the Conferences Commission has strengthened systems of connection, equipped new regions and advanced the formation of new conferences across five continents. New and emerging conferences are taking shape in Afrika Mashariki, Angola, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, the Nile Valley, Pakistan, Peru, Rwanda and Western Europe.
- Liberia, Mexico, Oasis, Thailand, Zambia and Zimbabwe have advanced to full Annual Conference status with support for registration and development.
- Four Eurasian annual conferences were received in full, joining the Global Methodist Church with Bishop Eduard Khegay.
- Inquiries and partnerships continue in Vietnam, Cuba, Central Europe, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Fiji, France and Latvia.
Hundreds of clergy and congregations have now been welcomed from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. To support this growth, the Commission established the Global Evaluation & Determination (GED) Team to review and interview clergy applicants from diverse cultural and language contexts.
To ensure healthy, sustainable development, the commission has implemented a clear conference formation process from inquiry to annual conference status. The commission has also created the Global Inquiry Team (GIT) to coordinate and assess inquiries from areas where we are not currently organized or organizing, and adopted principles for consideration of sustainability and missional criteria for evaluating new regions.
Each of these developments reflects a shared vision: a church that is both truly global and deeply connected in our mission to making disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
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Ecumenical Relationships Commission (ERC): Cultivating Kingdom Relationships
The ERC focuses on the unity of the Church through friendship and education. We aspire to enter all relationships with a posture of generous hospitality, humble learning and ongoing conversation. Join us in celebrating these initiatives to encourage the Church and foster connection:
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Educating and encouraging Global Methodists to seek Kingdom-building relationships with other churches and ministries in their communities. We have a vision for developing a curriculum to encourage local churches toward relationships with non-GMC churches in their communities. Watch for a free online version in 2026!
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Pursuing opportunities to promote Wesleyan theology together with other denominations, including publishing opportunities. We are in conversation with several theologically aligned denominations, to deepen relationships and establish mission opportunities.
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Building friendships with ecumenical groups where unity and mutual learning may be emphasized. We are excited for new partnerships through the Wesleyan Holiness Women’s Conference, Wesleyan Holiness Connection and Global Wesleyan Alliance — all groups that support orthodox-leaning Wesleyan denominations. We are also in conversation with Open Doors and look forward to making use of their resources, such as local church kits and “persecution preparedness” training, as well as being involved with their ecumenical roundtable discussions in counties where persecution is more prevalent.
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Informing groups and commissions within our own denomination of best practices as we discover them in conversation with others. In meetings with leaders of other denominations, we are gathering resources and developing helpful relationships.
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Discerning together with those groups seeking to determine their best path forward through covenant partnership or full membership. We celebrate a future covenant with the Korean Methodist Church and continue to build relationships with theologically aligned groups seeking closer partnership.
As the Global Methodist Church continues to grow, the ERC remains committed to nurturing relationships that strengthen our shared witness to the gospel. Through education, collaboration and genuine friendship, we are discovering new ways to stand alongside others who proclaim Christ. Our hope is that every conversation, partnership and shared endeavor reflects the unity of the Spirit and the mission of God’s people, working together to build His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
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Global Episcopacy Committee (GEC): Preparing for 2026 Episcopal Elections
The GEC is laying important groundwork for the 2026 episcopal elections. The committee is actively communicating the new process and implementing the steps outlined in Paragraph 604 of the Book of Doctrines and Discipline. A new Discernment Guide for Delegations has been released to assist delegations in the bishop selection process.
Looking ahead, bishops will participate in a comprehensive 360-degree evaluation in January 2026. The GEC is also drafting legislation for General Conference 2026 to define the work of area committees on episcopacy, refine complaint procedures and clarify portions of the 600 section of the Book of Doctrines and Discipline.
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Ministry and Higher Education Commission (MHED): Seminary Application Released
On October 15, 2025 the MHED Commission released its application and process for accredited seminaries to apply to become approved educational institutions for ordination candidates in the GMC.
The approval process is overseen by the commission, specifically under the direction of the Committee on Approval. The Committee on Approval and its corresponding tenets of church law can be found in the Book of Doctrines and Discipline, Part Eight, Paragraph 810.3. We invite accredited seminaries to consider applying. If you are not an accredited institution or are part of an Emerging Area of the GMC, you are invited to complete the Pathways/Course of Study process, which we expect to be ready soon. We will provide updates as more details become available.
For questions about the process, please contact ministrycomm@globalmethodist.org.
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Save the Date: Connectional Conversations
December 5
Mark your calendars for our next Connectional Conversations. This series of virtual town halls is designed to keep you informed and engaged with the life and mission of the Global Methodist Church. Our next Connectional Conversations event will focus on petitions for General Conference 2026. Follow the GMC on social media to be the first to know when registration is live.
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Faith Responders Basic Disaster Response Training
November 8
The Basic Disaster Response Team training will equip and empower volunteers to assist following a disaster. Volunteers will learn safety and protocols for debris clean up, mucking out and tarping, along with spiritual and emotional care to help survivors after a storm.
Attend in person at:
Resurrection Methodist Church
5522 West Main Street
Houma, LA 70360
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Save the Date: Celebration Women
March 6-7
Join together with fellow women of faith for a weekend of uplifting messages, fellowship, prayer and powerful praise and worship. Registration is now open for the Celebration Women National Conference, to be held at The Woodlands Church in The Woodlands, Texas.
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Bold Witness is a series where we share stories told by you. If you have an inspiring or important story to share, we want to hear from you! Share you story here.
During the month of November, we encourage you to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ across the globe who are being persecuted for their faith. Below are stories from India, Nepal and Nigeria.
Please note, the names and identities of these individuals and families, as well as specific locations, have been omitted to provide additional protection and safety.
| | Stories From the Persecuted Church | | |
Grieving from Terrorist Attack – Nigeria
In an area of the Northeast Annual Conference, a community noticed smoke rising nearby. As neighbors gathered to determine the cause, they saw people running and shouting, announcing that terrorists had launched an attack and were burning houses and murdering villagers.
The submitter of this testimony was able to escape with a few others. “God spared our lives,” he said.
More than 40 lives were lost. When the terrorists fled, the survivors returned to bury and mourn the loss of friends and family.
“We see this as the work of the devil trying to wipe away Christian community in [our region] and other neighboring communities. We need your prayers, we need your encouragement that God shall come for our rescue to heal us from the trauma of the incident.”
Pastor and Land Dispute – India
A pastor in India is involved in a court case regarding property lines. His land has been encroached by villagers because he is a pastor involved in converting people to Christ. The pastor filed a court case and paid Rs. 25000/- to the advocate handling the case. The advocate shows willingness to solve the problem, but it is complicated. Two acres of land belongs to the pastor and the opponents have no proof to show otherwise. The pastor and other local believers are of the firm belief that God will help him to get the land back. Join us in praying for this pastor, that his needs would be met and that the Lord will protect him from persecution.
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On Mission Network (OMN) equips local churches to be the hands and feet of Jesus in times of crisis. Their mission is to empower congregations to meet the needs within their own communities and beyond by providing the training, resources and deployment strategies necessary to respond effectively and compassionately in times of crisis.
OMN believes that local churches are not just part of the solution, they are the solution. Volunteers come from and serve through local congregations. When disaster strikes, OMN comes alongside local churches, training and deploying with them to ensure that the community knows the church was and will continue to be there for them.
The Global Methodist Church’s shared commitment to mission and service makes a partnership with OMN a natural fit. Conferences like MidTexas, a region still recovering from recent devastating floods, are rebuilding homes and lives with OMN training and support. OMN builds resilient, mission-ready congregations that can serve their communities today, tomorrow and in the years to come.
Churches, both large or small, can join this mission and OMN will work with them, regardless of size. GMC Disaster Response Chair, Linda Davis shared, "Together, the Global Methodist Church and On Mission Network are equipping believers to move beyond the walls of the sanctuary and into the heart of hurting communities, bringing restoration, resilience and the love of Christ where it’s needed most.”
OMN invites every GMC congregation to host a training session, send a team or have them speak to their congregation about how disaster response can become a tool for spiritual growth and community impact. When our local churches act, lives are changed and communities are rebuilt. The name of Jesus is lifted when it matters most. Let’s go on mission, together!
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WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!
communications@globalmethodist.org | 540.898.4960
www.globalmethodist.org
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