Global Methodist Church Elects Its First Full-Time Assembly of Bishops
For the first time, the Church has elected a regular, full-time Assembly of Bishops to serve six-year terms. Under the theme "the Beauty of Holiness," the Global Methodist Church reconvened for the Wednesday afternoon plenary of the 2026 General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. Delegates turned to one of the weightiest tasks entrusted to a gathered Church: electing those who would serve as its bishops. What began in worship and prayer moved, in the fullness of the deliberative work, to the sacred act of discernment by which the body chose the general superintendents who will lead the denomination into its next season.
Below are the results of the election:
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Episcopal Area 1
Tanzania; Covenant Philippines; India; Mega Manila Philippines; Panama; Mississippi-West Tennessee; Trinity
Bishop Luther Oconer
Episcopal Area 2
Bulgaria; Mexico; MidTexas; Northeast; Afrika Mashariki; Korean-American
Bishop Jonathan Lee
Episcopal Area 3
Central Nigeria; South Carolina; Peru; Upper Midwest; Florida; South Africa
Bishop Mark Webb
Episcopal Area 4
North Alabama; Thailand; MidSouth; West Plains; Western Pacific; Northeast Nigeria
Bishop Lyndol Loyd
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Episcopal Area 5
Ethiopia Nazrawiyan; Great Lakes; Virginia; Southern Nigeria; Oasis; Grain Coast
Bishop Jerry Kulah
Episcopal Area 6
Central African Republic; Central Russia; East Russia-Central Asia; Northwest Russia-Belarus; South Russia; Democratic Republic of Congo
Bishop Eduard Khegay
Episcopal Area 7
Venezuela; South Georgia; North Georgia; Central Europe; Zambia; Northern Nigeria; Alabama Emerald Coast
Bishop Paul Lawler
Episcopal Area 8
Allegheny West; North Carolina; Uganda; Kenya; Malawi; Zimbabwe; Heartland
Bishop Carolyn Moore
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Preliminary Articles of Faith Now Available
In Johannesburg, the Global Methodist Church witnessed of the most consequential actions not only of this General Conference, but of the Global Methodist Church's young life–the adoption of the Articles of Faith. After a 370-1 vote in favor, the Articles of Faith are now available on the GMC website.
Its centerpiece was a labor more than two decades in the making. Introducing Petition 1441, the Rev. Dr. Matt O'Reilly reminded the conference that when Methodism's predecessor bodies merged in 1968, they set the Articles of Religion and the Confession of Faith side by side without reconciling them — “a crack,” as he described it, in the church's doctrinal foundation.
The petition before the delegates completed the work left undone: a single successor document, the Articles of Faith. O'Reilly was careful to name that it belonged to no one author, inviting a writing team, review teams, an online survey, a commission, and a legislative committee to stand in turn. “This is why the Articles of Faith belong to the Church.”
Available now is a preliminary version of the Articles of Faith adopted at the 2026 General Conference and is being provided as a resource. It is not the official published version; the official Articles of Faith will be included in the forthcoming Book of Doctrines and Discipline.
Visit Our Beliefs & Governance page to view or click below.
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Global Methodist Church Announces Coordinator for Nigeria
Recognizing the vital importance of Nigeria within the Global Methodist Church and the unique dynamics of ministry across the country, the denomination is pleased to announce that Bishop John Pena Auta will begin serving as Coordinator for the Global Methodist Church of Nigeria, effective November 1, 2026.
With support of the four active and newly appointed bishops that will serve Nigeria annual conferences, Bishop Jones announced the appointment during a meeting with delegates from Nigeria during the 2026 General Conference in Johannesburg.
“Nigeria is a vital and vibrant part of the Global Methodist Church, and we are committed to equipping its annual conferences and local churches for fruitful ministry,” said Bishop Jones. “Bishop Auta brings a deep understanding of the Church in Nigeria, trusted relationships across the country, and a heart for its people. This new role will provide an important point of connection as our episcopal leaders and annual conferences move forward together in our shared mission.”
As Coordinator, Bishop Auta will work closely with the four bishops providing episcopal leadership to Nigeria and will report directly to them. His work will focus on strengthening communication, facilitating collaboration, and helping connect annual conferences and local churches with the resources needed to support their ministries.
| | | | Watch the Beauty of Holiness YouTube Playlist | Catch up on the livestream recordings and recap videos from General Conference 2026. Relive the powerful worship and teaching, and watch discernment unfold as delegates acted on more than 450 petitions. | | | | Download the General Conference Recap Video | Download the recap video to play at your local church and share about how the Lord moved in Johannesburg. To download, visit the link and click the download button under the video title. | | One of the most anticipated elements of General Conference was the episcopal elections. Following months of discernment, prayer and nominations, delegates gathered in the ballroom of the Sandton Convention Centre to elect the bishops that would lead our denomination and guide our churches for the next six years. Watch the recap video from the elections to get a glimpse of the process. Join us in praying for our new Assembly of Bishops as they transition into their roles starting November 1. | | | | Methodist Roots Teaching Series | |
The Methodist Roots teaching series is underway. It's not too late to tune in and follow along in the study. Through this video and study guide by our Assembly of Bishops, you’ll discover the history of Methodism and understand how key features of the faith influence the church today.
This series will remain available on our website for you to come back to again and again, or share with your church and community.
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Staff Spotlight: Shirley Dominick
Administrative Assistant/Clergy and Church Relations Support
| | 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. | | |
Shirley serves as the administrative assistant and processes applications for pastors and churches. She works with background checks, assists with the Atlas database and acts as a help desk for questions concerning pastors, laity and churches in the GMC.
Shirley has been an administrative assistant for many years in a church setting and has assisted her pastor husband in ministry. When the opportunity arose to serve the GMC, Shirley was eager to help the start of a new denomination that is centered on Jesus.
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Live From Johannesburg | Across the Globe: The Podcast
Catch up on daily updates from General Conference with news from each day's plenary sessions, plus you'll hear from members of the connection during this historic event. From chats with future bishops to the worship team, conference speakers to translation services, you'll discover the many perspectives involved in General Conference.
| | Beauty of Holiness Conference: The Youngest Male Delegate | Israel Chacón, Mexico | | |
On Across the Globe: The Podcast, Jason Nix sits down with Israel Chacón, an 18-year-old delegate from the newly formed Mexico Annual Conference and the youngest male delegate present at the Beauty of Holiness General Conference in South Africa.
One of two delegates representing his conference, Israel served on the Doctrine and Sacraments Committee. Jason commends him for speaking boldly and wisely during committee discussions, recognizing when to contribute and offering insight beyond his years. Together, they reflect on his experience and what it means to help shape the future of the Global Methodist Church.
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One Body, Many Parts: Connectional Council Reports at General Conference
“How would you describe your church?” asked the Rev. Dr. Jessica LaGrone, chair of the first Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church, as she stood before more than 1,300 delegates and guests gathered at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Perhaps it is a historic building, she offered, or a gymnasium, a village, or the shade of a tree. Or perhaps it was the church seen in that very room – a global body gathered from across the world in worship and work together.
LaGrone turned to the Apostle Paul, who described the church as one body of many parts. Drawing on 1 Corinthians 12 and her own background as a “recovering biology major,” she reflected on how the systems of a living body – respiratory and circulatory, nervous and immune – work in seamless partnership so that the whole might flourish. “Friends, this is connectionalism,” she said. The local church remains the heartbeat of the Global Methodist Church, the living cells of the body; the work of the Connectional Council and its commissions exists so that local churches around the globe might receive the connections and nourishment they need to thrive.
It was an intentional frame for the report that followed. Instituted two years ago at the Convening General Conference in San José, Costa Rica, the Connectional Council is a body of 25 global leaders that has met every other week since. In roughly 18 months, LaGrone reported, the council has established foundational connectional structures meant to remain lean, adaptable, and local church-centered.
| | Below are resources that were shared during LaGrone's report. | | |
Connectional Commissions Report
Watch the connectional commissions video report, in which each commission chair shares the fruit of the past two years.
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Strategic Framework Presentation
Review the Strategic Framework presentation deck—the graphic of the three spheres, the six values, and the four strategic areas presented to the plenary.
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New Curriculum from the Ecumenical Relationships Commission
Holiness in Community: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building Local Partnerships with other Christ-Followers
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The mission of Christ is bigger than any one congregation.The Holiness in Community Guide helps local churches discover how partnering with other faithful Christ-followers can strengthen their witness, expand their impact, and more fully reflect the unity for which Jesus prayed.
WHO THIS GUIDE IS FOR
Global Methodists in local congregations — and other siblings in Christ — who want more from their church's walk with Jesus.
Use it with:
- Small groups and Sunday classes
- One-off study groups during Lent or after Pentecost
- Leadership gatherings, committees, and ministry teams
- Whole congregations
A great tool for conference superintendents and presiding elders to introduce throughout their conferences, this material adapts readily for district- or conference-wide clergy training, and can be recommended to local churches under your supervision. Where a congregation already belongs to a network of like-minded churches, the members can engage the study together — building on ecumenism already present rather than starting from scratch.
The guide and its videos are free, available in the six official languages of the Global Methodist Church.
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Proclaim! Asbury Preaching Summit
October 13-14, 2026
Wilmore, Kentucky, USA
| This two-day, on-campus event will offer worship, biblical preaching, plenary sessions, practical breakout conversations, fellowship, and opportunities for renewal. Proclaim! is designed especially for pastors and preachers, church and ministry leaders, those who teach in church or ministry settings, seminary students preparing for preaching and pastoral ministry, and anyone seeking to communicate the gospel faithfully and effectively. | | | |
Timeless Holiness, Living the Holy Calling
October 8-October 10
| Join Wesley Seminary for the Timeless Holiness Conference, a Global Methodist Church gathering designed to explore the Wesleyan vision of holy living for today's church and to share updates from the 2026 General Conference. Whether you are a pastor, church leader, student, or layperson, this conference will encourage and equip you to embrace a life transformed by God's grace and dedicated to His mission in the world. | | |
Zoom Meeting ID: 894 6195 2154
Passcode: 990886
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Quarterly Mission Leaders Gathering
October 13 at 10 a.m. EDT or October 15 at 9 a.m. EDT
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Join the Kingdom Advancement Commission for an online introduction to a pastoral studies program for deacons and elders designed for contexts where formal degree programs are impracticable. The program is being piloted with the Tanzania Annual Conference, presented by Rev. Dr. Tim Turner, a GMC cross-cultural witness serving in the East African nation of Tanzania. The program is designed for oral-preference learners, cultural adaptability and sustainability.
Use the link below to join via Zoom on either date.
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Beyond These Walls
Save the Date: February 25-27
| Beyond These Walls conference will inspire and equip church leaders through the "best of the best" mission practices." | | | | |
Represent the GMC from head to toe! Shop for official Global Methodist Church merchandise at The GMC Store—thoughtfully designed for everyday use. Conferences and local churches can also request custom orders to meet their specific needs.
Every purchase helps support the work we’re doing together. Take a moment to browse for yourself or find a meaningful gift for someone else.
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WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!
communications@globalmethodist.org | 540.898.4960
www.globalmethodist.org
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