The Great Lakes Annual Conference is fortunate to work with a talented group of contracted team members who bring a wealth of experience and heart to their work. Get to know Lexi Maynor, Ben Beeks, and Susan Hammond below. Lexi Maynor - Equipping Assistant Lexi calls Virginia home, which is both where she's from and where she still resides today. Outside her work with the Great Lakes Annual Conference, Lexi stays busy supporting other pastors and churches with administrative help. She's also a full-time student working toward her degree, and she serves in youth ministry at her church. Ben Beeks - Events Manager Ben is a United Methodist pastor's kid through and through, which makes "Where are you from?" a bit of a loaded question for him. His shorthand answer is Osceola, Indiana, where his dad served as pastor at Osceola UMC from 1998 to 2006. These days, home is in flux in the best way. Ben and his family recently sold their home in Indianapolis and are currently living with his parents while they build a new home in Brownsburg, conveniently just four houses down from Mom and Dad. Beyond his work with the Great Lakes Annual Conference, Ben keeps a full plate. He's appointed to The Community Fellowship in Jamestown, Indiana, and also serves on staff at Wayfinders, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people activate their purpose by investing in and raising up everyday leaders and disciples. When he's not juggling his jobs, Ben treasures time with his wife, Emily, and daughter, Adelyn, a good game night with friends, or a quiet morning run. Susan Hammond - Communications & Development Assistant Susan grew up in Kentucky. Along the way, she served with her husband in ministry in Kentucky, Ohio, and then moved to Haiti to serve with her family for 10 years, before moving back to Kentucky. When she's not working with the Great Lakes Annual Conference, Susan serves as the Director of Mission Trips for a mission organization. In her free time, she's recently taken up cycling with her husband as a fun, new empty-nest activity. She also enjoys running with her daughters and settling in with a good book whenever she can find the time. Thank you, Ben, Lexi, and Susan, for the gifts and experience you bring to our team!
Some of the most important work of a General Conference happens quietly. While the election of bishops and other major moments may capture the attention of the Church, much of the ongoing work of the Global Methodist Church is carried forward by clergy and laity who serve through its councils, commissions, and committees. During the 2026 General Conference, delegates elected clergy and laity from across the connection to help guide the Church’s work for the 2026–2032 sexennium. Among those elected were several leaders from the Great Lakes region who will serve in these important roles. In this post, we’re highlighting the Great Lakes clergy and laity who were elected to serve and giving a brief look at the important work of the bodies to which they have been appointed. The Conferences Commission exists to support the strategic growth and organization of the Global Methodist Church around the world. It makes recommendations to the Assembly of Bishops, the Connectional Council, and the General Conference regarding the creation, restructuring, or modification of annual conferences — the regional bodies through which the Church carries out its work. Delegates elected six clergy and six laity, with no additional members to be added. Laity: Kirsten Mains The Ecumenical Relationships Commission strengthens the Church's ties with the broader body of Christ, bringing recommendations to the Assembly of Bishops and the Connectional Council concerning the denomination's participation in councils and networks of Christian bodies, as well as covenants or potential unions with other churches — the very work embodied this week in the covenant signed with the Korean Methodist Church. A bishop chairs the commission; delegates elected four clergy and four laity. Laity: Bridget Douglas The Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission exists to support faithful stewardship, integrity, and transparency at every level of the connection. Appointed by the General Conference and reporting to the Connectional Council, it provides financial oversight, legal support, and guidance in matters of retirement, benefits, and recordkeeping. Delegates elected ten members, with the Connectional Council able to add up to five more. Laity: Sherry Austin The Global Episcopacy Committee oversees the election of bishops, provides human-resources and administrative support for their ministry, and processes concerns in keeping with the Church's Judicial Practice and Procedures — the body that guided this week's historic episcopal elections. Its nominees were chosen by the Connectional Council, as prescribed by the “Book of Doctrines and Discipline,” and delegates elected six clergy and six laity, each by a sixty-percent vote. Clergy: Chris Ritter
Great Lakes Annual Conference Welcomes Bishop-elect Jerry Kulah We are pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah, who has been elected to serve as bishop of Episcopal Area 5, which includes the Great Lakes Annual Conference. Bishop-elect Kulah is from Liberia, West Africa, where he came to personal faith in Christ in 1977 and was discipled through the ministries of Youth for Christ and the Great Commission Movement. He is married to Ruth Chea Kulah, and together they have four children. Dr. Kulah holds a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary and is a PhD candidate in Contextual Theology, with an emphasis in Discipleship, at Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom. An evangelist, pastor, teacher, and administrator, Dr. Kulah brings nearly three decades of full-time ministry experience. He currently serves as Conference Superintendent of the Grain Coast Conference. Throughout his ministry, he has served the church in a variety of leadership roles, including pastor, Director of Evangelism and Missions, District Superintendent, professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, Dean, and Vice President of the United Methodist University in Liberia. Dr. Kulah is also an accomplished writer, international speaker, and conference facilitator. He has served in leadership and speaking roles at gatherings across the United States. The newly elected bishops will begin serving their episcopal areas in November. As Bishop-elect Kulah prepares to begin his ministry among us, we give thanks for his leadership and experience and look forward to welcoming him to the Great Lakes Annual Conference. We invite our entire Great Lakes connection to pray for Bishop-elect Kulah and his family as they prepare for this new season of ministry, and to join us in extending a warm welcome when he begins his service among us in November.
