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Daily Recap / Wednesday, September 2, 2026

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:

Episcopal Area 1 

Tanzania; Covenant Philippines; India; Mega Manila Philippines; Panama; Mississippi-West Tennessee; Trinity

Bishop-elect Luther Oconer

Episcopal Area 2 

Bulgaria; Mexico; MidTexas; Northeast; Afrika Mashariki; Korean-American

Bishop-elect 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-elect Lyndol Loyd

Episcopal Area 5 

Ethiopia Nazrawiyan; Great Lakes; Virginia; Southern Nigeria; Oasis; Grain Coast

Bishop-elect 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-elect Paul Lawler

Episcopal Area 8 

Allegheny West; North Carolina; Uganda; Kenya; Malawi; Zimbabwe; Heartland

Bishop Carolyn Moore

Half the Work Behind Them: Delegates Move Through Legislation

“In the United States, we would call this day Hump Day,” Norma Morrison told the delegates as she presented Wednesday’s agenda — the midpoint of the 2026 General Conference, and the moment the gathering turned in earnest from the work of its legislative committees to the work of the whole body. The days of committee deliberation now behind them, delegates spent Wednesday’s plenary at the Sandton Convention Centre acting on that work petition by petition, before Bishop Jeff Greenway and the presiding team would hand the afternoon over to the long-anticipated election of the denomination’s bishops.

“Who Is Your Because?”: A Charge to Holy Living

“Push your chairs back a little.” It was not the instruction delegates might have expected to open the fourth morning of the 2026 General Conference, but the Rev. David Sablan Jr. had opened his Bible to Psalm 150, and he intended the whole psalm — praise with the tambourine and dancing, praise with a clash of cymbals, everything that has breath giving praise to the Lord.

Drums, Dishes, and Delight: Global Methodists Celebrate Africa

The business of the day had ended, but the Sandton Convention Centre was only beginning to come alive. As the sun set over Johannesburg on Wednesday, the hall that had held hours of General Conference deliberation, elections, and legislation was transformed for a Celebration of Africa — an evening set apart for delegates and attendees to lay down their agendas and take up celebration. As a church gathered on the African continent for the first time in its history, it was a night many had been waiting for. The evening came in music, in food, in fabric, and in the unhurried delight of God's people from every corner of the globe enjoying one another's company.

Watch the Day 4 Livestream Recording

Prayer at the alter. Discerning votes. Hugs of congratulations. Dancing in the aisles. Day 4 was one for the books. Watch the livestream recording from Day 4 of General Conference.

Across the Globe: The Podcast

Tune In for Daily Updates

Beauty of Holiness Conference: Day 4 Recap

Jason Nix and Executive Director of Communications Dianne Burnett recap a landmark day as the Global Methodist Church elects its first full-time Assembly of Bishops. The celebration continued with Africa Night, an evening filled with vibrant attire, food, desserts, dancing, music, theatrical performances, and more.

Turning Your Face Toward the Breath

While in Johannesburg for the Beauty of Holiness General Conference, the Rev. Diane Ury, National Ambassador for Holiness for the Salvation Army, joins us to share her story, her heart for the Church, some history of the Salvation Army, and what it means to “turn your face toward the breath” of God.

General Conference Day 4 Snapshots

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