This year our Annual Conference gathering, we take time to honor and remember clergy and clergy spouses who have passed away since the formation of the Great Lakes Annual Conference. This sacred time of remembrance allows us to celebrate the lives and ministries of those who faithfully served our churches and communities. We need your help to ensure all are remembered. If you are a family member of a clergy person or clergy spouse who has passed away since the inception of the Great Lakes Annual Conference, we kindly ask you to complete our memorial information questionnaire. The information you provide will help us properly honor your loved one at this year's Annual Conference. Use the link below to access the form. We understand that our communication networks are not perfect, and some families may not receive this important information. Please share this announcement with any clergy families you know who have experienced a loss, so that all our faithful servants can be properly remembered and honored. Thank you for your assistance in helping us create a meaningful tribute to those who made such a difference in our lives.
As we continue our mission to grow and multiply God's Kingdom throughout the Great Lakes region, we're excited to share several upcoming opportunities for those interested in church planting and multiplication. Building on the foundation laid at our previous events, these training sessions and networking opportunities are designed to equip you with the tools and connections needed for effective ministry. Pre-Conference Training - June 9-10, 2025 (9:00 am - 4:30 pm) The GLAC Church Planting team is proud to sponsor two concurrent training tracks at Spring Arbor University just before our Annual Conference. On-campus lodging for these opportunities is available via annual conference registration, but separate registration for the event itself is required using the links below. These valuable seminars, led by The River Network, provide specialized training based on your experience level: Track 1: Planting Healthy Churches Training Ideal for those considering church planting or in the early stages of launching a new congregation, this two-day workshop covers essential principles of church planting with practical applications for your specific context. Whether you're just beginning to hear the call or have already started the journey, this training will provide valuable tools to help you succeed.
The Great Lakes Prayer and Intercessory Team would like to invite you to an opportunity to be in prayer during the Annual Conference session. The team is seeking prayer persons available onsite to cover the prayer room during the Great Lakes Annual Conference held at Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI. Their goal is to have three people available to pray for one-hour time slots to pray with people seeking prayer during the conference. Use first link below to sign up. If you cannot attend but would like to serve as part of our 55-hour prayer initiative, please use the second link below to sign up for an hour-long time slot. Our hope is that we have continual prayer coverage throughout this event. You are welcome to share these links with other prayer warriors so they can join us as well. Our goal is to have each of the 55 hours covered in prayer. Once all the time slots are filled, we will open them up to allow multiple people to pray at the same time. If you have questions about this initiative, please contact Carol Perry at 2014iamhis@gmail.com . Thank you so much for your faithfulness in prayer. May God richly bless you as you intercede for this upcoming conference.
The Great Lakes Annual Conference (GLAC) of the Global Methodist Church has successfully completed the Gathering Phase of its comprehensive strategic planning process and is now transitioning into the Refinement Phase. This marks a significant milestone in the conference's journey to define and communicate our shared future direction and priorities. “We have been overwhelmed by the prayerful and thoughtful participation from across our conference,” says Rev. Dr. Scott Pattison, GLAC Conference Superintendent. “The Holy Spirit has been clearly present in this process, with many survey responses and rich discussions that reflect a deep commitment to our mission. As we move into the Refinement Phase, we are excited to see how God will shape these collective insights into a unified vision.” The initial Gathering Phase, which ran from January through mid-March, yielded exceptional engagement from all segments of the conference community. Over 120 individuals responded to the strategic planning survey. Additionally, facilitated brainstorming sessions with the Leadership Team, Cabinet, Laity, and Board of Ministry generated many additional ideas and insights. The Refinement Phase, now underway and continuing through April, will be led by a task team of strategic thinkers representing various perspectives from across the conference. The team includes Jill Davis, Bridget Douglas, Ellen Harbin, Rev. Dr. Scott Pattison, Rev. Stan Pegram, Rev. Tyler Best, and Rev. Kara Bussabarger. Each team member will be reading through and delving into all the brainstorming session notes and survey submissions, thoroughly analyzing this comprehensive input to identify common themes. These common themes will form the framework and landing place for the emerging strategic goals the team will draw from the gathered input. Throughout this process, the team will bathe everything in prayer, seeking God's guidance at every step. “We've assembled a team with strategic thinking abilities and multiplication mindsets,” says Rev. Tyler Best, GLAC Director of Operations. “These individuals were selected for their ability to discern patterns and think holistically about our future. Most importantly, they understand that this is a discernment process that must be bathed in prayer from beginning to end.” The task team's work follows a precise timeline: a formation meeting in late March, followed by individual in-depth review of all data through the end of the month, reconvening in early April to discuss and discern findings, and completing their work by the end of April. The timeline allows May for packaging the final plan and creating communication tools before the Annual Conference in June. The team will produce a draft strategic plan the Leadership Council will then refine before the final presentation to the conference. “We're entering the most challenging but exciting part of this journey,” says Best. “Our team is committed to honoring voices that contributed while seeking God's wisdom in crafting a plan that will truly advance our mission to make disciples and spread scriptural holiness.” Following the task team's work, the Leadership Council will refine the draft plan, after which it will be shared with the conference community in May through digital communications and Pre-Conference Briefings via video. The strategic plan will also be presented at the Annual Conference session in June, with implementation scheduled to begin in July 2025. Those interested in learning more about the strategic planning process can contact Rev. Tyler Best at tyler.best@greatlakesgmc.org .
Would you like to deepen your church’s prayer life, share the Gospel, build meaningful relationships within the community, and spread hope? The Great Lakes Annual Conference is excited to partner with Church Answers for The Hope Initiative—a transformative 30-day prayer experience designed to inspire your congregation to confidently share the message of Jesus Christ and witness boldly. This initiative invites your church to engage with the community by building meaningful relationships in places where people live, work, and play—all while being grounded in prayer and Scripture. You'll have unlimited access to helpful videos, templates, and resources to guide you in leading The Hope Initiative effectively. We believe so strongly in the transformative power of this experience that we’re offering it free to any Global Methodist Church in the Great Lakes Annual Conference region! To learn how The Hope Initiative can energize your church, pastors can reach out to info@greatlakesgmc.org . The Hope Initiative will help pastors and church members: ✔ Gain a new passion and confidence for evangelism ✔ Deepen their understanding of the biblical foundation for Gospel ministry ✔ Reach the community more effectively ✔ Receive consistent training with a repeatable, proven process ✔ Feel equipped, encouraged, and inspired We can’t wait to see the impact this will have on the Kingdom!
June 11-13, 2025 | Spring Arbor University We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Great Lakes Annual Conference 2025! Join us for three days of fellowship, worship, and spiritual growth as we gather together at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan. Who Can Attend? The conference welcomes: Designated/elected lay members from local Great Lakes GMC congregations Great Lakes GMC clergy Ordinands and their family, friends, and congregation members Those being recognized as transitional local pastors Ministry certified candidates Interested members of Global Methodist congregations Anyone interested in learning more about the Global Methodist Church Everyone is welcome to register and attend! Registration Fees Adults: $65 per person Youth: $20 per person (incoming 6th graders through incoming 12th graders) Children: FREE (ages 0 through incoming 5th graders) Accommodations On-Campus Lodging Spring Arbor University dormitories: $30 per night per person Perfect for those wanting to stay close to all conference activities Hotels Several options available within a 20-minute drive of campus Details provided during registration Meals On-campus meal packages are available for $102 per person, covering all meals during the conference. Children and youth eat free on campus. Special Youth Worker Opportunity We're excited to offer a dedicated Youth Worker at this year's conference! Youth leaders, bring 2-3 youth from your congregation and receive a special discounted rate. This is an excellent opportunity for young people to connect with peers across the Great Lakes region while deepening their faith journey. Reach out to the Sessions Registrar for more information regarding this opportunity. Children's Ministry Our excellent children's ministry team has prepared an engaging program for our youngest attendees (ages 0 through incoming 5th grade). Children can enjoy age-appropriate activities and spiritual formation while parents participate in conference sessions. Registration Deadline Advanced registration for annual conference is open until Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11:59 Eastern. After that time, on campus housing reservations will be unavailable and on campus meals will need to be purchased a la carte. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the Great Lakes Annual Conference 2025! Register today to secure your spot and preferred accommodations. For registration and additional information, please visit our website for an FAQ or contact Kathy Anderson, Sessions Registrar, at registrar@greatlakesgmc.org .
The Great Lakes Annual Conference (GLAC) of the Global Methodist Church is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi (MFM) for investment management and stewardship education services. The partnership, approved by the GLAC Leadership Council, establishes two new funds aimed at supporting local churches and clergy needs across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. “This partnership represents our commitment to responsible stewardship of conference resources while creating sustainable support systems for our local churches and clergy," said Conference Superintendent Scott Pattison. “We aspire to be an annual conference that effectively discovers, develops, and deploys clergy to serve and lead our local churches and other ministry opportunities as they carry out the mission of the Global Methodist Church. These funds are a next step in pursuing this goal.” After an extensive evaluation process, the GLAC Finance & Administration Team unanimously recommended MFM over competing organizations. While other entities expressed interest in increasing Global Methodist representation, MFM already demonstrated this commitment with half of their board already consisting of Global Methodist clergy and laity. Additionally, MFM's no-fee short term fund—currently offering a 5.35% return rate—outperformed competitors whose offerings included various fee structures that diminished returns. The Foundation's investment approach through Charles Schwab with management by Gerber/Taylor Associates, Inc., rather than Wespath, also aligned better with the conference's values. The two established funds include: Ministerial Scholarship Fund : Initially funded with $25,000, this fund will assist those experiencing a call into ministry as clergy with seminary and alternative pathway educational expenses. The application and disbursement process for this scholarship program is currently in development. Fundraising opportunities for this fund are ongoing and more information regarding possible matching gifts are forthcoming. Clergy Health Support Fund : Seeded with $100,000, this fund will provide bridge funding for clergy who are unable to continue service at their current appointment due to significant health limitations but still require health insurance while awaiting long-term disability or other healthcare options. This funding will alleviate the financial burden on local churches, enabling congregations who qualify to maintain fiscal stability during an important leadership transition. Other investment funds are under consideration and will be shared when established. The partnership also provides GLAC churches access to generosity and stewardship education offered by MFM, whether directly to local churches, through annual conference breakouts, or separate planned events. To provide input on possible topics to be covered in the future, please complete this survey . More information about stewardship events will be available at a later date. In the meantime, local church leaders are encouraged to reach out to MFM for their investment management and stewardship education needs. For more information, reach out to Dr. Todd D. Marion, CPA, MFM Associate Director/CFO at todd@methodistfm.org or Michelle Veazey, MFM Executive Administrative Assistant, at michelle@methodistfm.org . They can also be reached at (601) 948-8845. Donations to the above mentioned funds can be made at methodistfm.org/donate . Please be sure to select “Deposit to endowment” and add a note indicating which fund (GLAC Clergy Health Support or GLAC Ministerial Scholarship) the gift is to benefit. Donors may also call the MFM for instructions on where to mail a donation check. Learn more at methodistfm.org .
There are several areas throughout the MidSouth Conference where extensive flooding took place in February. The MidSouth Conference encompasses Kentucky, Middle and East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, parts of West Virginia, and a few counties in North Georgia. Support for past disaster relief has been overwhelmingly positive. Unfortunately, the need for help once again occurs throughout their conference. Local GMC churches in the Great Lakes AC are invited to help those in need. You can donate securely online with 100% of donations received to be used within the MidSouth for disaster relief. Please check out these fliers for the most recent flood relief needs , as well as continued efforts following Hurricane Helene , to learn of the ways you & your congregation may be of service to these communities. There is a need for work teams to assist with the relief as well. For more information about these opportunities, reach out to Rev. Rick Pressel, Disaster Relief Coordinator for the Great Lakes AC at disaster.relief@greatlakesgmc.org .
As we continue our shared journey of ministry and service, the Great Lakes Annual Conference Nominations Team is actively seeking individuals who feel called to contribute their gifts, talents, and time to our various teams and committees. We extend this invitation to both those who have previously expressed interest and those who may be considering service for the first time. A Renewed Call to Serve Even if you submitted a Willingness to Serve form last year, we ask that you submit a new form for the coming year. Our conference's needs have grown, and your areas of interest or availability may have changed as well. Your renewed expression of interest helps our Nominations Team make the most informed decisions possible. Nominate Others This year, we're expanding our invitation to include nominations of others within your local church or personal network. Do you know someone whose gifts could help our conference work and advance the Kingdom? Perhaps there's an individual whose perspective would be valuable but who might not consider volunteering without encouragement. You can help by submitting their name for consideration. How the Process Works The Nominations Team will carefully review all submissions and discern together the makeup of each ministry area going forward. This prayerful process ensures that our teams represent diverse locations, experiences, and skills while matching people's interests with areas where they can best contribute. Next Steps To express your interest or nominate someone else, please complete the Conference Team Nomination form available at the link below. The form allows you to indicate specific areas of interest or skills that you or your nominee could bring to our conference work. We believe that when we each contribute according to our gifts and callings, our ministry together flourishes. Thank you for prayerfully considering how you might serve, or how you might encourage others to share their gifts with our Great Lakes Annual Conference family. "Let each of you use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." - 1 Peter 4:10
The missions philosophy of the Global Methodist Church (GM Church) is to encourage local churches to directly fund and participate in missions projects rather than annual conferences and the denomination orchestrating such efforts. The GM Church is also committed to assisting local churches in understanding the difference between relief, evangelism, and secular charity. Missions are critical for the Kingdom, and local churches are best fit to carry them out. With that said, the larger church hopes local churches will support emerging annual conferences that have limited resources. To bring balance to local church assistance, our bishops have asked U.S. annual conferences to support these emerging counterpart annual conferences overseas and help them become self-sustaining, which could take many years. The Ethiopian Nazrawiyan Annual Conference (ENAC) and the Oasis Annual Conference have been selected by the Great Lakes Annual Conference (GLAC) to be in partnership. Ethiopia may have fewer resources, but they have plenty of enthusiasm for evangelism and church planting. Starting a year ago, local churches in the GLAC began funding education for pastors' children in Ethiopia engaged in this work. GLAC and ENAC have now expanded that initiative and formalized their partnership, strengthening ties between Methodist congregations across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin with a vibrant network of churches throughout Ethiopia. In addition to GLAC, ENAC is also partnering with the Heartland Annual Conference. Bishop Scott Jones is serving as the episcopal leader assigned to the emerging ENAC, and Bob Hegel is assisting as ambassador for this missional partnership.