The morning session opened with great singing and then the business started with reports. As Rev Kari Howard shared, “We had revival during the Finance report.” All the reports focused on Kingdom Building and spreading Scriptural Holiness throughout the world. Voting approved the re-organization of the Conference Leadership Team, the Budget, slate of officers and Global Partnerships.
The presentation by Rev Greg Jenks focused on our Mission Partner, the GMC in Uganda. Bishop Moore is the Bishop for Uganda and she reported that the church is Uganda is creating dozens of new churches each month. She reports she gets photos of a couple of benches under a tree in a village and that is church, and the people come. There is a need for clergy education and a plan is in place to help the clergy be prepared. NC GMC is working to help the Uganda churches identfy in country resources to help with children and teen disciple building. There is a desire in Uganda to plant new churches in the cities.
The afternoon provided break out sessions for education. Topics included building up missions, designing children’s ministry and many others.
Evening Worship came from Wilmington.
Over 800 in attendance representing 402 churches in the NC GMC Conference.
Part of the Missions report talked about doing mission with our global family, rather than doing mission for them. To build the global community, it is encouraged that pastors and churches become Prayer Partners with our global sister churches in Uganda.
Coming in August there will be a study about missions. All clergy and laity are invited to attend the virtual studies, free of charge. Check the Conference website to register.
NC GMC is partnered with Uganda and DR Congo. Rev Greg Jenks shared a video showing churches and members in Uganda getting a Bible that was donated by NC GMC at Annual Conference 2025.
As Bishop Greenway comes to the end of the conference, he was gifted with a special piece of pottery from Seagrove, NC
Rev Kari Howard is installed as Superintendent of the NC GMC Annual conference.
Special music by the Wilmington Celebration Choir.
We had church! The music was a blend of traditional hymns and new contemporary songs.
Rev Tom Mabry gave the sermon. He shared about his first job as chef in a steak house at age 16. He was taught to feel steaks as to whether they were ready Now, or Not Yet.
Taking that story, he shared his story of coming to ministry as 2nd career. It was a scary time but he leaned on Jesus for strength, knowing the time was Now.
If our hearts say now, but our heads say Not Yet, listen to our hearts. God will equip us wiht His Grace.
Sister Angie, provided inspiration and special music. She shared stories of her travels to Japan and how the people there did not take Worship for granted.
She shared how she leaned on God when learning at age 31 she would not have children. Then at age 60, God brought a child who needed a mother to a woman who needed a child. Their blended voices were powerful.
Annual Conference in other denominations focused so much on business. Ths Annual Conference of the NC Global Methodist Church was about the business of worship, challenge to holiness and reminding us all that we are SENT.
If you get the chance, plan to attend Annual Conference 2027. You will experience God in community.
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