Invitation to Serve: Great Lakes Annual Conference Seeking Willing Hearts and Hands

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 .

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.

While registration for the Great Lakes Annual Conference (June 11-13, 2025, in Spring Arbor, Michigan) will not open until mid-March, three important forms are already available for submission. Further details regarding other aspects of the conference will be communicated as we approach the June conference dates. The deadline for all three of the below forms is Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 11:45 pm ET. General Conference Delegate Self-Nomination The conference will elect eligible delegates to represent our conference at the 2026 GM Church General Conference in Africa. The number of delegates to be elected is yet to be determined, as is the exact location on the African continent. Candidates must self-nominate through the nomination form. Please keep in mind that this role requires: Significant travel commitments Extensive reading and preparation Possible financial responsibilities High energy and dedication Self-nomination allows potential delegates to carefully consider these commitments before putting themselves forward. All candidates will be presented to the conference for prayerful consideration before voting takes place in June. Access Self-Nomination Form Legislation Submission Proposed legislation can now be submitted for consideration at the Annual Conference. These submissions will be reviewed and, if approved, presented during conference plenary sessions for discussion and voting. Access Legislation Submission Form Presentation Requests Committees and groups can submit requests to present reports, updates, or pertinent information during conference plenary sessions. Please note that submitting a request does not guarantee a presentation slot, as time constraints and agenda priorities will be considered in the selection process. Access Presentation Request Form

The Great Lakes Annual Conference extends a special invitation to leaders within the conference for a transformative leadership experience through the International Leadership Institute (ILI) in March 2025. This opportunity is for both lay and clergy leaders. As the conference continues to grow and strengthen, developing strong, Spirit-led leaders who can effectively multiply Kingdom impact remains a high priority. Every ILI participant is equipped with the Eight Core Values of the most effective Christian leaders and then challenged to train others. The training is made unique through the process of multiplication, accelerating the spread of the Gospel! This training represents a unique opportunity for participants to deepen their leadership gifts while committing to lead district/regional trainings that allow the impact to ripple. The vision is to develop “a deep bench” of leaders equipped with the ILI material so that they can be ready and available to teach at future ILI trainings around the conference. Whether serving as a seasoned or emerging leader, this intensive training will equip participants with practical tools, timeless principles, and a renewed vision for ministry impact while also providing an opportunity to pass it on. We have limited spots available for this free training, designed for leaders who are passionate about growth and ready to multiply their Kingdom impact. This training will also equip you to teach others in your own area, spreading the knowledge and impact locally. With only a select number of spots available, we’re aiming for a diverse mix of participants from each district and state to ensure broad representation and availability of leaders from all corners of the conference to serve as instructors. If this opportunity resonates with you, read on for more details! Training Overview Dates: March 23-29, 2025 Location: Camp Wonderland, 9241 Camp Lake Rd, Salem, WI 53168 Interest Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2025 or until slots are filled Training Options Option 1: Module 1 Only (3.5 days) Arrival: Sunday, March 23 at 5:00 PM Central Departure: Wednesday, March 26 at 12:00 PM Central Option 2: Full Training - Module 1 & 2 (6.5 days) Arrival: Sunday, March 23 at 5:00 PM Central Departure: Saturday, March 29 at 2:00 PM Central Cost & Accommodations Conference fully covers meals and standard lodging at Camp Wonderland Participants responsible for: Transportation to/from venue Any upgrade costs (single rooms or off-site accommodations) Training Commitment Participants will: Learn the Eight Core Values of fruitful Christian leadership Join a teaching team for future regional trainings Help facilitate 1-2 regional trainings annually Registration Process Register by March 1, 2025. Click here to register. PLEASE NOTE: If you already submitted an ILI interest or registration form from a different request, you do not need to fill this out again.  Why Participate? An excellent Kingdom-minded leadership development opportunity Help us grow a culture of building up and equipping leaders Develop skills to train future leaders Experience the Seven Outcomes impact on your own ministry The Great Lakes Conference welcomes all ministry leaders to consider this transformative training experience that will enhance their leadership capabilities and contribute to the conference's continued growth and development.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our redesigned Great Lakes Annual Conference website. You'll find the new site comfortably familiar yet refreshed and improved, featuring significant improvements to help us stay connected, informed, and engaged with our vibrant and growing community. The reimagined website represents a major milestone in our ongoing commitment to serving our members better. With enhanced navigation and a more intuitive layout, finding the information you need has never been easier. One of the most exciting additions is our new dedicated news section, keeping you up-to-date with the latest developments, announcements, and stories from across our conference community. The integrated calendar and events feature provides a comprehensive view of upcoming activities, making it simple to plan your participation and engagement throughout the year. We've also expanded the leadership section, offering more detailed information about our conference leaders along with improved contact options. This enhancement aims to foster stronger connections between leadership and the people they serve, ensuring open lines of communication and accessibility. Perhaps most notably, we've revolutionized how we present information about past annual conference sessions and resources. The new archival system makes it easier than ever to access historical materials, presentations, and valuable resources from previous gatherings, creating a rich repository of knowledge for our community. While our website continues to evolve and improve, this refresh marks a significant step forward in our digital presence. We invite you to explore the new features and functionalities at greatlakesgmc.org . Your feedback is valuable as we continue to enhance the site to better serve our community's needs. Stay tuned for additional improvements in the coming months as we remain committed to creating the best possible online experience for our members. For questions or feedback about the new website, please contact Rev. Tyler Best at tyler.best@greatlakesgmc.org .

The Great Lakes Annual Conference (GL AC) has launched a comprehensive strategic planning process aimed at defining our direction and priorities for the coming years. This collaborative initiative, rooted in the Global Methodist Church’s mission “to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe,” is an effort to engage voices from all over the conference in shaping our future. Two resources being used to provide a common language and understanding is our Culture Statement and Hero Maker , a book by Dave Ferguson and Warren Bird. We invited you to engage these resources. “This isn't just another planning exercise,” says Rev. Dr. Scott Pattison, GLAC Conference Superintendent. “We're implementing a carefully designed process that is bathed in prayer and guided by the Holy Spirit. Our goal is to develop a plan that is practically achievable, but is not possible unless God is part of it. The plan will provide us a strategic guide to invest our limited resources as we grow as a conference and support local church ministry.” The Process The strategic planning process will unfold in three phases over the first half of 2025. The initial Gathering Phase, running from January through mid-March, will focus on collecting different perspectives from across the conference community. During this phase, the Leadership Team, Cabinet, Laity, and Board of Ministry will be engaged through brainstorming sessions, while also conducting a conference-wide strategic planning survey. This phase emphasizes the importance of understanding both local church needs and conference-wide opportunities. Following the gathering of input, the Refinement Phase will take place from mid-March through April. During this period, a dedicated task team representative of the conference will carefully analyze the collected ideas and develop them into a cohesive strategic framework. The team will discern four to five themes from all the gathered input and these will become key strategic areas forming the foundation of the plan. From there, specific goals from the input will be prayerfully determined for each strategic area. The final Presentation Phase, scheduled for May, will focus on sharing the proposed plan with the conference community. This will include the distribution of a document outlining the plan's strategic areas and goals, followed by Pre-Conference Briefings via video. The process is expected to culminate in a presentation on the Strategic Plan at the Annual Conference session in June, with implementation set to begin in July 2025. Participation Invited All members of the conference community are encouraged to contribute their ideas and perspectives through an online survey available at the link below. The survey will remain open through Saturday, March 15, 2025 , and represents a crucial opportunity for voices from across the conference to help shape our future direction. Local churches are encouraged to send to their leaders and members. “We believe that every voice matters in this process,” says Rev. Tyler Best, GL AC Director of Operations. “Whether you're clergy or laity, a conference leader or a member of one of our local churches, your insights are valuable in helping us discern the Holy Spirit’s direction for our conference.” For more information about the strategic planning process or to ask questions, please contact Rev. Tyler Best at tyler.best@greatlakesgmc.org .

We are excited to announce our upcoming Activate clergy event, where clergy will gather together to Dream Boldly and seek God's vision for our future. Join us as clergy create space to listen to the Holy Spirit's guidance for our churches, conference, and movement as well as themselves personally. Registration is NOW OPEN using the link below. Dates: February 27-28, 2025 Location: Pathfinder Church, 8740 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002 Cost: $49 per clergy Registration Deadline: February 10, 2025 During their time together, clergy will focus on: Creating space to hear God's voice Receiving fresh vision for our churches and communities Connecting with fellow clergy Finding renewed inspiration for ministry Hotel accommodation is available now at reduced rates using the “More Information” link below. NOTE: The schedule includes a morning episcopal connection with Bishop Webb on Thursday, February 27. As a result, clergy may want to travel on Wednesday, February 26 and the hotels’ reduced rates are available for that night as well. We encourage all clergy to prioritize this time of spiritual renewal and visioning. Join us as we dream boldly together for the future God has prepared.