The Free Methodist Church USA has a powerful story of women in ministry that includes both inspiring and challenging chapters. The story remains unfinished although there’s growing anticipation about exciting chapters to come.

Many evangelical denominations have very different stories, but several have similar beginnings or plot points. In fact, every two years, Free Methodist women pastors meet with likeminded leaders from the Church of the Nazarene, Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) and Wesleyan Church for the Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy (WHWC) conference.

This year’s gathering, E2022:[Her]Story, drew more than 600 women along with a few men (including this journalist) to a hotel in Grapevine, Texas. Before the interdenominational March 10–12 conference officially began, approximately 150 Free Methodist women met at the same hotel for the two-day Our Story gathering.

“The Free Methodist pre-gathering was the single most valuable resource that I, as a woman leader, have experienced in my life as a Free Methodist, and I have been a Free Methodist all of my life,” said Kathryn Martin, an elder in The River Conference.

All videos from 2022 Leadership Summit are available on our youtube page .
the word of GRANTS on building blocks concept.
Local Church Inititative Grant Letter of Inquiry due May 31st

To further the goals of the Free Methodist Church USA and Gateway Conference, you are invited to submit a proposal that advances the opportunity for local churches to begin new initiatives that support these goals. Specifically, the Conference desires to support initiatives that engage the local church in the life and lives of the community in which they serve.
  
PROCESS, DEADLINE AND EXPECTATIONS:
  • A letter of inquiry (one page) must be received by the Superintendent by May 31 to begin the process. The Superintendent will ascertain if the inquiry meets the Grant criteria and vision for the conference.
  • June 5 - Request for Proposal (RFP) is sent to selected inquiries
  • Completed proposals must be received in the Conference office (either via email or standard mail) by July 5. *Incomplete grant requests will NOT be considered. Confirmation of receipt of proposal, as well as request status, will be sent to the address and contact on the application form.
  • SDFGC will review proposals from July 5-August 5 and send recommendations to the BOA Chair and Superintendent for dispersal to the BOA for approval or denial.
  • September 1 – notification of awards sent
  • Dispersal of grant awards will occur in January; grant cycle will be one calendar year unless multi-year awards are made.
Cowden FMC Wild Game Dinner

Saturday, April 9, 2022

Cowden Community Building

Dinner begins at 5:00pm
Durley Camp and Retreat Center
Lunch By The Lake
Saturday, April 23, 2022
Young Lodge

12:00pm-2:00pm
(Doors open at 11:45am, Childcare provided)

Please R.S.V.P. by April 15, 2022 to 618.664.2873 or [email protected]
All food is provided (donations accepted)
You will enjoy:
Hearing from our new Board Chair and her vision for the camp.
Meeting our Summer Camps Director
Free weekend in a Chalet giveaway
Updated report on the status of the camp
Hearing the ways your generous giving has blessed Durley Camp this year
Explore our new courtyard and playset; boards will be available for use (weather permitting)


Men's Advance
May 13-14, 2022
Living Hope FMC
435 Head Lane
Hannibal, MO

This event is the perfect chance to come together as the men that we are called and created to be in order to be re-energized and ready to lead in our marriages, families, churches, and workplaces. The speaker this year is Ben Tolly. Ben is currently serving as the Superintendent of the Gateway Conference of the Free Methodist Church. He brings many years of pastoral experience to the table!

If you have ANY questions at all, be sure to reach out by email to [email protected], OR on Facebook Messenger!

Must be 13 or older to attend.






Greenville University Band and Audio Recording Camp

June 15-17, 2022

$250.00 per Camper

Form a worship band or learn to use state of the art music recording technology
Upcoming Events
Schedule icon. Schedule website button on blue low poly background.
2022 Calendar:

April 22-Durley Camp and Retreat Center Lunch By The Lake

May 13-14, Men's Advance, Living Hope FMC, Hannibal, MO

May 31-Local Church Grant Initiative Letter of Inquiry Due

Durley Camp & Retreat Center Summer Camp Schedule:
June 4-Day Camp (Grades K-2)
June 4-10-Durley Family Camp Week
June 13-17-Young Teen 1 (Grades 6-9)
June 20-24-Young Teen 2 (Grades 6-9)
June 27-30-Guide Camp (Grades 4-6)
July 6-8-Trailblazer Camp - (Grades 2-4)
September 2-4-Senior Teen Weekend (Grades 9-12)

June 15-17-Greenville University Worship Band and Audio Recording Camp

June 27-July 1-FMYC, Colorado State University

Looking ahead to 2023:

April 15, 2023-Gateway Conference Leadership Summit, Greenville FMC, Greenville, IL

July 24-28-FMCUSA General Conference, Hilton Orlando, FL
The word MINISTRY written in vintage letterpress type
The Gateway Conference Office exists to energize and equip pastors and lay leaders to M.O.V.E.:

Mission Assessment
Organize Data
Visioneer A New Future
Engage The Plan
Gateway Conference - FMCUSA
1501 Chicago Drive, Greenville, IL 62246
618.664.2353
Website