Hola again from Costa Rica!!!

Another great morning devotional from Rev. Dr. Kimba Evariste, President Pro Tempore of the Democratic Republic of Congo. I have to say our preachers this week have been phenomenal! I have been blessed and encouraged by every one of them.  Dr. Evariste reminded us that he is hearing reports that everyone wants to be a part of the Global Methodist Church. We are a global movement that God is using to bring others to Christ and empower disciples to live lives of holiness. He reminded us that no one thought we would be here, but that God had a plan for us. He told us that we were here because of the sacrifices that we had made So The World Will Know (our theme for this conference) of the goodness and faithfulness of God.  He declared that we were here not for demonstration but for celebration.

It was another big morning of legislative work. As you know, my committee Ministry and the Local Church had 2 late-night sessions, so a great deal of our time today was spent addressing the work we had accomplished. The biggest items that we dealt with were that we strengthened and identified the requirements for those coming to be ordained as a deacon or an elder. We also spent some time creating a committee on approval that will vet and identify those schools where a person seeking ordination in the Global Methodist Church must attend. We also provided a way to extend sacramental privileges to those serving as supply pastors.

Just before lunch, our General Conference took time to honor Rev. Keith Boyette our outgoing Transitional Connections Officer. Keith has been a vital part of helping create pathways for our churches to find their way out of our former denomination and he has served the Global Methodist Church well as our leader for our first two years of existence. His goal was to get us to this moment, and he has succeeded in his task. We are all thankful for his work and dedication to the People Called Methodist. A book will be published about the beginnings of the Global Methodist Church in Keith’s honor. For a Faithful Future: The Global Methodist Church will be released sometime next year.

Yet the biggest news of the day comes as we have “elevated” 6 new interim bishops for our church. We are trying to get away from the language of “candidate” and “elected” and were encouraged to begin using the language of “nominee” and “elevated”. The idea is that we want to move away from a system where people campaign and politic for the office of bishop and rather as names are put forward, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide the hearts of the delegates as they discern who should serve in these roles.  

I am so pleased and thankful for our 6 new bishops, and I am thrilled that I will be there tomorrow as they are consecrated for the work God has before them. Our new bishops are:

• Kimba Evariste – Democratic Republic of Congo Conference
• John Pena Auta – Central Nigeria Conference
• Leah Hidde-Gregory – Mid-Texas Conference
• Kenneth Levingston – Texas (Trinity Conference)
• Carolyn Moore – North Georgia Conference
• Jeff Greenway – Ohio (Alleghany West Conference)

It is important to remember that we have determined to have general superintendents (bishops) and not localized ones so while these may be assigned to specific areas (6-8 conferences each) they are bishops for the WHOLE church. These are men and women of God, and I am eager to see their leadership as we move forward in the next two years.

Tomorrow is our last day. We do have some more work to accomplish (mostly from my committee) and a few other items on the agenda. We will end most likely just after lunch with a commissioning and closing service. I am proud of what we have accomplished here and I hope that God continues to bless us and use us to build his kingdom.