The Great Lakes Annual Conference (GLAC) is pleased to announce the hiring of two new staff members who began their roles on Monday, August 18, 2025. Following a comprehensive selection process that began with 20 candidates, the conference has welcomed Kathy Anderson as Operations Coordinator/Bookkeeper and Wendy Layden as Office Manager. “We are thrilled to welcome these two exceptional professionals to our team,” said Rev. Tyler Best, Director of Operations. “After a thorough discernment process involving our interview teams, we are confident that both Kathy and Wendy bring the technical expertise, ministry heart, and collaborative spirit needed to support our mission of strengthening local churches throughout the Great Lakes region.” Kathy Anderson – Operations Coordinator/Bookkeeper Anderson brings more than 25 years of bookkeeping experience to her new role, including extensive QuickBooks expertise and deep knowledge of the local church gained through her previous work in local church settings. She recently served as registrar for the Conference's 2025 annual conference session, where her exceptional project management and organizational skills were evident to conference leadership. Anderson's combination of technical competency, commitment to Christ, and collaborative approach positions her to help build sustainable operational systems that will strengthen the conference's ability to serve its churches. Kathy can be reached at kathy.anderson@greatlakesgmc.org or (463) 202-6032 Ext. 105. Wendy Layden – Office Manager Layden assumes the role of Office Manager, serving as the primary in-person presence at the conference's main office in Kokomo and the go-to person for data management and record keeping. She brings 25 years of administrative experience from diverse sectors, including higher education, K-12 schools, non-profit organizations, and state agencies, where she successfully managed complex data systems, coordinated multi-faceted programs, and served as a communication hub for various stakeholders. Her background also includes experience as a campus director for a local church, providing her with a firsthand understanding of ministry and local church needs. Layden's expertise in database management, customer service, and office operations, combined with her passion for meaningful Kingdom work, makes her uniquely qualified to support the conference's churches and leadership. Kathy can be reached at wendy.layden@greatlakesgmc.org or (463) 202-6032 Ext. 102.
For Immediate Release: Grant Annoucement
The Great Lakes Annual Conference (GLAC) is announcing a new district structure, effective August 1, 2025, for our Illinois churches to strengthen connection and improve efficiency. This realignment sees four districts serving Illinois while maintaining existing arrangements for Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The new structure is designed to create more manageable district sizes, improve geographical coherence, and strengthen pastoral support systems throughout Illinois. Wisconsin Illinois West District (Presiding Elder: Rev. Doug Carroll ) serving Illinois counties in red: Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Winnebago, in addition to existing counties already being served in Wisconsin West Illinois North District (Presiding Elder: Rev. Jason Woolever ) serving areas in blue: Boone, Bureau, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Ford, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, Livingston, Marshall, McDonough, McHenry, McLean, Mercer, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Will, Woodford Illinois Central District (Presiding Elder: Rev. Jon Carrell ) serving areas in yellow: Adams, Bond, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Champaign, Christian, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Jersey, Lawrence, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Piatt, Pike, Richland, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, St. Clair, Vermilion Illinois South District (Presiding Elder: Rev. Danny Motta ) serving areas in green: Alexander, Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson This realignment will impact various aspects of church life including contacts for pastoral appointments, district events, charge conference reporting, and other support networks, such as the Board of Ministry. We are currently in a transition period and request your patience as we update our systems and materials. Database records, communication directories, administrative processes, and resource distribution networks are all being revised to reflect the new district boundaries. For specific questions about how this realignment affects your local church, pastoral assignment, or district activities, please contact the GLAC office or your Presiding Elder. This change represents an important step forward in better serving our Illinois churches and supporting our shared mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ and spreading scriptural holiness across the globe.
