Holiness Begins With God: General Conference Opens in Johannesburg

As delegates returned for Sunday's afternoon session at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, they were called back to their seats with the sounds of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” What followed moved from gratitude to challenge — a celebration of how far God has carried a young movement, and a candid summons to become what it aspires to be. Mike Grant, a clergy member of the Allegheny West Annual Conference and Chair of the General Conference Commission, brought the Commission's report with a note of wonder. Welcoming delegates to the first General Conference held on African soil, he invited the body to give thanks for a feat that, only weeks earlier, had seemed impossible. Preparations had been laid for a hybrid conference because so few delegates from several nations had received visas. Then, Grant recounted, the people of the Church began to pray — and delegates from Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia, now standing to the applause of the conference, had arrived in numbers greater than any previous gathering. “Only an act of God could change this,” he had once believed — “and there was.” Grant also described a church at work beyond the ballroom — mission teams running a vacation Bible school, a medical clinic, pastor training, and feeding programs across Johannesburg. On behalf of the Commission, he then moved to adopt the Plan of Organization and Covenant for Our Life Together, which was approved. The session then turned to the Episcopal Address, delivered by Bishop Scott Jones on behalf of the Assembly of Bishops. Introduced as the Assembly's historian, Jones framed his address as both thanksgiving and challenge, rooting it in the hymns of Charles Wesley. As the body sang “And Are We Yet Alive,” he urged the delegates not to refight old battles. To any still weary from disaffiliation, or suffering what he called “post-denominational stress syndrome,” he offered a word: “Be healed.” Borrowing eight terms Bishop Jeff Greenway has used to describe the Church, Jones named the Global Methodist Church a “Bible believing, Jesus following, Spirit-led, grace filled, global, Wesleyan, mission focused movement.” He gave thanks for progress in six of these marks and raised caution about the last two. Scripture stands as the supreme authority, he affirmed, and the Church is called to become ever more like its Lord; Jones led the delegates in the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer — “I am no longer my own but thine.” Holiness, he said, is the Christian's life goal, and “holiness is beautiful,” echoing the theme of the conference. He gave thanks, too, for a grace-filled church, a global church now gathering in ten languages, and a Wesleyan church whose deepest word about God is love — underscored as the body sang “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling.” Then came the challenges. Is the Church truly a movement? To be one, Jones argued, requires alignment, nimbleness, and risk-taking — resisting the procedural distractions that echo the old denomination, and daring to try new things even at the risk of failing forward. “We are no longer in a denomination where factions are at war with each other,” he declared. “Instead, we are at war with the devil.” And is the Church truly mission-focused? Here Jones was most searching. Decades in a dying denomination had bred bad habits — evangelism treated as a dirty word, church planting made a low priority — and he called the Church to shake them off, pointing to the churches of Africa and Asia as teachers. Bishop Jones closed confident that the God who has brought the Church this far is still leading it. Turning to “Captain of Israel's Host,” he recalled the pillar of cloud and fire that led Israel through the wilderness and applied the promise to the assembly in Johannesburg: “We will not miss our providential way.” He left the delegates with the words spoken to Joshua — “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” It was an address that held celebration and challenge together without strain. The beauty of holiness was not merely a phrase printed on the program; it was, in the singing and the summons of that afternoon, the very calling the Global Methodist Church had gathered on African soil to pursue — to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to spread scriptural holiness across the globe.

As the Global Methodist Church gathers in Johannesburg for General Conference 2026, it does so with gratitude for a group of leaders who accepted a particular and demanding calling: to serve as the denomination's first bishops during its formative years. Understanding who these leaders are, and how the Church has structured their possible continuation in office, offers a window into the care with which this young denomination is building its life together. At the Convening General Conference in San José, Costa Rica, in September 2024, delegates elected the Church's first slate of bishops. By design, these were interim, part-time positions, established to guide the denomination through its earliest chapter until full-time bishops would be elected in 2026. The six bishops began their work on November 1, 2024: Kimba Evariste John Pena Auta Leah Gregory Kenneth Levingston Carolyn Moore Jeff Greenway They joined full-time Bishops Scott Jones and Mark Webb, who had provided episcopal oversight through the denomination's transitional period. The question of whether these interim bishops could stand for election to a full six-year term is not left to circumstance. The Book of Doctrines and Discipline (BDD) in ¶604.8 addresses this directly, establishing that a bishop may serve a maximum of two six-year terms, with any time served before 2026 not counting against those two terms. The BDD then draws an intentional distinction. Bishops Jones and Webb were expressly permitted to stand for election at General Conference 2026. For those elected as interim bishops in Costa Rica, however, the path forward runs through the delegates themselves: no interim bishop may stand for election in 2026 unless first affirmed by at least a three-fourths vote of the delegates present and casting ballots. The BDD further provides that no more than half of the newly elected bishops may be re-elected to a six-year term, ensuring that the Church continues to welcome fresh leadership even as it honors proven service. Jeff Greenway, Kenneth Levingston, Kimba Evariste, and Scott Jones are not seeking re-election and will be honored for their faithful service, with the title of Bishop Emeritus conferred upon those who have honorably completed active episcopal service. Bishop Mark Webb, having served through the transition rather than as an interim bishop, is standing for election and was not subject to the qualification ballot. During Sunday’s plenary session, delegates considered the affirmation of the Global Methodist Church’s three remaining interim bishops. Bishop John Pena Auta and Bishop Carolyn Moore each received the 75 percent support required for affirmation to be considered for election. Bishop Leah Gregory did not reach the required threshold. Following the vote, members of the Global Episcopacy Committee (GEC) consulted with Bishop Webb and the officers of Episcopal Area Two. After that conversation, the GEC reaffirmed its original guidance and continues to believe that Bishop Webb would be the best choice to serve Area Three as its assigned bishop. Area Episcopacy Committee Two also continues to stand by the rankings developed through its prayerful discernment process. “The Area Episcopacy Committee Two reached broad consensus on our full ranking of nominees, including unanimous agreement on our first recommendation,” said the Rev. Ryan Barnett, chair of Area Episcopacy Committee Two. “We stand by the discernment and work of the committee and by the rankings we submitted. While the General Conference ultimately determines who will move forward in the episcopal election process, we remain confident in the thoughtful and prayerful process that led to our recommendations.” The GEC offers this reaffirmed guidance to the delegates of General Conference as they continue the important work of prayerfully electing and assigning bishops. "We ask the entire church to continue praying for wisdom, unity, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout the election process." In the coming days, delegates in Johannesburg will now elect and consecrate eight full-time bishops, each assigned to one of eight international episcopal areas and each serving as a general superintendent of the whole Church. Their six-year terms will begin on November 5, 2026.

Hello, Worship Team! As we prepare to serve together at the Global Methodist Church General Conference 2026 in Johannesburg, we want our appearance to reflect the same warmth, unity, and joyful spirit that we hope to bring to our worship. Our attire will be contemporary business casual —polished, comfortable, and current. We want to look cohesively coordinated, but we do not need to match exactly. Think harmony, not uniforms! Base Colors Please choose one or more of these dark or muted neutrals for the main portion of your outfit: Black Dark-wash denim blue Dark chocolate brown Navy Muted khaki Deep chestnut brown Dark espresso brown Coordinating Accent Colors Add one or two of the following colors through a shirt, blouse, jacket, cardigan, scarf, tie, pocket square, jewelry, shoes, or a subtle pattern: Bright turquoise Tangerine orange Soft ivory-white Muted sage-teal Pale aqua Warm sand-gold Muted olive green You can view the full base and accent color swatch guide here. The colors are intended as a guide - you do not need to find an exact shade. Jeans are absolutely welcome, especially dark-wash denim, as long as they are neat and free from holes or heavy distressing. Trousers, professional-length skirts and dresses, blouses, button-down shirts, polos, jackets, cardigans, and other contemporary business-casual pieces are also appropriate. Please avoid shorts, short skirts or dresses, athletic wear, and clothing that is overly casual or distracting. For those joining us from outside the United States, culturally appropriate professional or traditional attire is warmly welcomed. Please use the color palette as a coordinating guide where practical, while honoring the clothing traditions of your culture and context. A special note for clergy: If you are clergy, please also bring your clergy robe and red stole to wear for the Bishops’ Consecration Service. Most importantly, choose something in which you feel comfortable, confident, and ready to worship and serve. We want everyone’s personality to shine while creating a collective look that feels warm, contemporary, and beautifully coordinated. Thank you for bringing your gifts, your heart, and your joyful spirit to this team. I am excited about the beautiful picture we will create together—both visually and through our worship!  Blessings of God's grace and peace, Rev. Tracy Ann Winters General Conference Worship Planning Team Co-Chair Global Methodist General Conference 2026

Welcome to General Conference! We are so glad you are here. To kick off the Beauty of Holiness, we are sharing key information to help the week run smoothly. In this update, you’ll learn about: Room Configurations Wi-Fi Access Media Notice Meeting Spaces and Schedules Meals Livestream Access Live Translation Electronics Exhibitors Thank you for joining us in South Africa for this historic gathering. We welcome the Holy Spirit as we do this important work together as a global church. ROOM CONFIGURATIONS The General Conference room is being reconfigured to ensure optimal use of the space for the work of the delegation . The updated seating chart will be sent to all delegates as soon as it is finalized , and the new room configuration will be in place tomorrow morning . When you arrive, pages will have the updated seating chart and will be available to help direct you to your assigned seat. Each row will also be clearly labeled to help you find your seating. Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we prepare the space for our work together. WI-FI ACCESS To ensure reliable connectivity for essential General Conference functions, including delegate voting , the GeneralConference2026 Wi-Fi network is reserved exclusively for Delegates and authorized Key Stakeholders . All other attendees must use the Southern Sun Wi-Fi network. Delegates & Authorized Key Stakeholders Please connect to the “ GeneralConference2026 ” Wi-Fi network and check your notifications in Cvent for the password. Observers Please connect to the Southern Sun Wi-Fi network. You will be asked to answer a few questions before your connection is established. We appreciate your cooperation in limiting access to the GeneralConference2026 network to authorized users. This will help us maintain reliable connectivity for voting and other critical conference functions. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! MEDIA NOTICE  Please be aware that members of the local media and credentialed reporters are present and may be moving throughout the conference venue. Photography, video, and interviews may take place during conference activities and in public areas. By attending General Conference, you may appear in photographs or video captured by members of the media for news coverage. Follow along on our official social media platforms to catch photos from the event. Thank you for your awareness. MEETING SPACES & SCHEDULES Tomorrow is the first day of General Conference. Doors will open at 8:15 a.m. No one is permitted into the event space until after 8:15. Like most conference centers, the indoor temperature can vary. Please plan accordingly and bring extra layers to ensure comfort throughout the conference. As always, schedule updates will happen. Please continue to check the schedule on the General Conference. We appreciate your patience and grace as we work to update the app to reflect any changes. The best place to learn about schedule changes, room changes, etc. is in the General Conference app. MEALS Lunches and dinners will be provided onsite for those who have “meal" printed on their wristbands. All other attendees are responsible for their own meals outside the convention center. Breaks will be provided daily for ALL attendees. Breakfast will be provided each morning in the hotel restaurant for guests. If time does not allow for you to have a sit-down breakfast, there will be an arrival break with continental breakfast provided in the exhibit hall at the Sandton Convention Center from 7-8 a.m., August 30 - September 5. We also recommend choosing the buffet as a quicker option. As part of the Celebration of Africa event , dinner on Wednesday, September 2 will be available for ALL attendees. LIVESTREAM ACCESS For your friends and family members who are not with us in person, they can watch our livestream found on the Beauty of Holiness website . The sessions will also be available to view after General Conference. LIVE TRANSLATION Kudo is our official live translator during the event. There will be QR codes in each room for you to scan with your phone and follow along to the sessions. You can also access the links in the General Conference app. You do not need to download an app to access Kudo. There will be a Kudo help desk if you run into issues. Please bring your own earbuds or headphones if you are planning on using an audio version. ELECTRONICS You will need a Type M converter for plugging in electronics. All attendees are responsible for providing their own adapters. If delegates are relying on a laptop or other device during the conference, ensure they fully charged. We will have some plugs available in the bar for limited use if urgent. EXHIBITORS Thank you to our wonderful exhibitors for supporting the Global Methodist Church. Please stop by the exhibit hall to learn about the organizations and groups.

It has come to our attention that Par. 213 of the Constitution limits who may submit a proposed constitutional amendment. It states only the General Conference or an annual conference may do so. Our understanding is that this language refers only to the plenary sessions of the General Conference or an annual conference, not a smaller body. All of the petitions submitted to amend the Constitution were submitted by individuals or annual conference delegations. Our understanding is that none of the currently proposed constitutional amendments would qualify under Par. 213 and would therefore be ruled invalid and not able to be considered. The disqualification of all proposed constitutional amendments seems unfair and would hamper the General Conference’s ability to take advantage of the one-time exception given in Par. 213 that constitutional amendments considered at the 2026 conference only need a majority vote to be adopted. It also seems appropriate to make allowances for the fact that we are still learning and living into the processes of our new denomination. Therefore, a constitutional amendment will be proposed on the first day of the General Conference that would allow all currently submitted amendments to be considered. It would further direct the Constitution, Connectional Organization, and Finance Legislative Committee to come back with a permanent clarification (via another amendment) as to who may submit proposed constitutional amendments under Par. 213. Here is the proposed amendment that will be offered on the first day of the conference: I move to Amend ¶ 213 to replace the first sentence with the following: "Proposed amendments to the Constitution may originate from the General Conference or one of its legislative committees, or may be submitted by an annual conference session or an annual conference delegation."; that this amendment be effective immediately upon passage; and that we request the Constitution, Connectional Organization, and Finance Legislative Committee consider ¶ 213 and return with a proposal for a permanent list of potential origins for constitutional amendments to replace this amendment. Such an amendment is permitted from the floor of the plenary session under Par. 213, and it would only need a majority vote to be adopted. It could take effect immediately to allow consideration of the petitions currently in the Petitions Report. It would also allow the legislative committee to take time to consider for the future who should be allowed to submit proposed constitutional amendments. Of course, the plenary session can decide whether to adopt the proposed amendment. We believe it is important for the delegates to be aware of this situation and what is proposed to rectify it. That is why we are publishing this proposed amendment now in anticipation of it being put forward on the first day of the General Conference. Rev. Thomas Lambrecht, General Conference Secretary Rev. Lamar Oliver, Petitions Secretary, Assistant General Conference Secretary

The Global Episcopacy Committee announces the completion of the work of the eight Area Committees on Episcopacy, which have interviewed and ranked nominees seeking election or re-election as bishops of the Global Methodist Church. This interview and ranking process is part of the new episcopal election procedure approved by the convening General Conference in Costa Rica in 2024. When delegates gather in Johannesburg for General Conference 2026, these rankings will help guide the election of one bishop for each of the church's eight episcopal areas. These rankings provide delegates with the prayerful discernment of the Area Committees on Episcopacy while preserving the authority of the General Conference to elect bishops who will serve as general superintendents of the whole church. The eight episcopal areas are international groupings of annual conferences formed on May 30 by representatives elected from each conference. After the areas were established, each Area Committee on Episcopacy, consisting of one clergy and one lay representative from every annual conference in the area, organized, interviewed episcopal nominees, and prayerfully developed a ranked list of candidates. Each committee conducted its work independently as it sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout the discernment process. The results of that discernment are as follows: AREA ONE Tanzania, Covenant Philippines, India, Mega Manila, Philippines, Panama, Mississippi-Western Tennessee, Trinity Luther Oconer Paul Lawler Carolyn Moore Jerry P. Kulah John Pena Auta AREA TWO Bulgaria, Mexico, MidTexas, Northeast, Afrika Mashariki, Korean-American Leah Gregory Mark Webb Luther Oconer Jonathan Lee Scott Pattison AREA THREE Central Nigeria, South Carolina, Peru, Upper Midwest, Florida, South Africa Mark Webb Carolyn Moore Eduard Khegay John Pena Auta Jerry P. Kulah AREA FOUR North Alabama, Thailand, MidSouth, West Plains, Western Pacific, Northeast Nigeria Lyndol Loyd Brian Ebel Mark Webb Carolyn Moore Gabriella Kopas AREA FIVE Ethiopia Nazrawiyan, Great Lakes, Virginia, Southern Nigeria, Oasis, Grain Coast Mark Webb Scott Pattison Jerry P. Kulah Carolyn Moore John Pena Auta AREA SIX Central African Republic, Central Russia, East Russia-Central Asia, Northwest Russia-Belarus, South Russia, Democratic Republic of Congo Eduard Khegay John Pena Auta Jerry P. Kulah Luther Oconer Mark Webb AREA SEVEN Venezuela, South Georgia, North Georgia, Central Europe, Zambia, Northern Nigeria, Alabama Emerald Coast Paul Lawler Heather Sims John Pena Auta Tom Mabry Luther Oconer AREA EIGHT Allegheny West, North Carolina, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Heartland Mark Webb Carolyn Moore Jerry P. Kulah Scott Pattison Brian Ebel Profiles of all episcopal nominees are available on the Beauty of Holiness 2026 website. Nominees who appear on one or more Area Committee rankings will also be featured in an upcoming video series. Nominees who were not ranked by an Area Committee remain fully eligible for election and may still receive votes from General Conference delegates. Chris Ritter, chair of the Global Episcopacy Committee, commented: "The members of our Area Committees on Episcopacy approached this responsibility with remarkable seriousness and humility. They devoted themselves to prayer, listened carefully to one another, and sought the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout the process. While every committee reached its own conclusions, I have great confidence that each faithfully discerned the nominees they believe are best suited to serve both their episcopal area and the entire Global Methodist Church." STATEMENT OF GUIDANCE BY THE GEC Because the same candidate was ranked first by more than one Area Committee on Episcopacy, the Book of Doctrines and Discipline provides: "If the same candidate is the top choice of more than one Area Committee on Episcopacy, the Global Episcopacy Committee may issue a statement of guidance to General Conference delegates prior to the balloting process." (¶604.4) Unanimous Statement of Guidance After prayerful conversation with Bishop Mark Webb and the officers of the three Area Committees on Episcopacy that ranked him as their first choice, the Global Episcopacy Committee believes Bishop Mark Webb would best serve Area Three as its assigned bishop. The Global Episcopacy Committee offers this unanimous guidance to the delegates of General Conference as they prayerfully elect and assign bishops. We ask the entire church to join us in praying for wisdom, unity, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout the election process. NEXT STEPS When delegates assemble in Johannesburg, a qualification ballot will first be held for interim bishops seeking re-election. Under rules adopted by General Conference 2024, Bishops Gregory, Moore, and Pena Auta must receive at least 75 percent support to be included on the primary election ballots. Delegates may vote to qualify any, all, or none of these bishops. Bishops Webb and Khegay were not elected as interim bishops and therefore are not subject to the qualification ballot. Once the regular election begins, delegates will vote separately for each episcopal area. A delegate may not vote for the same candidate in more than one episcopal area on the same ballot. Election requires at least 60 percent of the votes cast. Results will be announced following voting for all open areas, with additional rounds conducted as necessary until every episcopal area has been assigned a bishop. Although bishops are elected and assigned to particular episcopal areas, each serves as a general superintendent of the entire Global Methodist Church. The Global Episcopacy Committee invites the entire church to continue praying for the delegates, episcopal nominees, bishops, and all who will participate in the 2026 General Conference.

The Global Methodist Church held the first ever plenary gathering of annual conference representatives to finalize the episcopal areas for 2026-2032 on May 30. “We have, as a reform movement, restored the election of bishops to the General Conference, which is where it belongs,” said Rev. Chris Ritter, Chair of the Global Episcopacy Committee. “This meeting is designed to happen every six years so that we can take a fresh look at the configuration of our conferences and episcopal areas.” In the Global Methodist Church, bishops act as general superintendents of the entire church and are elected at General Conference. Approved at General Conference 2024, the election processes are intended to ensure that bishops are both effective global leaders and strong missional fits for the conferences they will most directly serve. Prior to the plenary gathering, annual conferences submitted lists ranking up to ten other conferences as their preferred choices for sharing a bishop. The Global Episcopacy Committee received 47 lists from the 51 conferences. Four conferences did not turn in ranked lists. Using these ranked preferences and a weighted matrix, the committee developed proposed episcopal areas–groups of conferences overseen by a bishop. The episcopal areas reflect the global nature of the denomination and are made up of annual conferences from different parts of the world. The bishops do not have jurisdiction over a specific area but instead lead in various countries. To this end, no one episcopal area has more than four conferences from the same continent. “Episcopal areas are established ahead of General Conference so that the Area Committees on Episcopacy can interview, evaluate, and rank episcopal candidates. This allows for the kind of thorough discernment and vetting often associated with an executive search process,” Ritter shared. Bishop Jones shared that the role of the bishop “calls for incredible travel, building relationships and keeping a focus on being a movement that is nimble and able to respond well in lots of different situations.” As directed in paragraph 604 of the “Book of Doctrines and Discipline,” this historic meeting brought together one laity and one clergy member from each annual conference. The group of representatives voted to approve eight episcopal areas across the globe. The meeting was held on KUDO, a web conferencing platform that allows for live translations and captions, enabling our global connection to collaborate in different languages, nations and time zones. Following the plenary gathering, the representatives met as area committees on episcopacy to begin their work to review episcopal nominees’ profiles, complete interviews and rank their top five preferred nominees ahead of General Conference. “I pray for each member of the area episcopacy committees,” Bishop Jones prayed over the group, “that they might do their work faithfully, and they might make the right choices for the people who can lead our church going forward.” View the approved episcopal areas at beautyofholiness2026.org .

With the nomination period now closed, the Global Methodist Church releases the official list of episcopal nominees for the 2026 General Conference. As of May 15, 2026, 24 individuals have accepted nomination, including five current active bishops and 19 additional nominees brought forward by Annual Conference delegations. This official list reflects the global nature of the Church, representing nominations submitted through the established process by delegates across the connection. Its release is intended to support a season of prayerful discernment for Area Committees on Episcopacy (ACE) and delegates, as we call on the entire Church to seek God’s wisdom throughout this process. The next step will take place during the ACE plenary session on May 30, 2026, when the proposed episcopal areas will be presented for consideration. As a plenary session of designated representatives, this is not a public meeting, but a focused working session for those formally assigned to this responsibility. As previously announced, eight full-time bishops will be elected and consecrated at General Conference 2026, taking place August 30 through September 5, 2026, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Those elected will serve six-year terms beginning November 5, 2026. Global Methodist bishops are traveling, apostolic leaders set apart for a ministry of visionary servant leadership, general oversight, and supervision in support of the church’s mission. They lead the temporal and spiritual life of the church, defend the faith, and deploy the clergy. According to the Book of Doctrines and Discipline, “Nominees for the episcopacy should have a strong record of effectiveness in leading the church in evangelism, discipleship, and mission.” We offer this information with gratitude for those who have said yes to being considered and with prayerful anticipation for how the Lord will guide the Church through this discernment process. OFFICIAL LIST OF NOMINEES: Bishop Leah Gregory Bishop Eduard Khegay Bishop Carolyn Moore Bishop John Pena Auta Bishop Mark Webb Andy Postell Brian Ebel Baziel Y. Yoila Danjuma Juji Forbes Matonga Gabriella Kopas Heather L. Sims Isaac Salgado Jerry Kulah Jonathan Lee Jordan McFall Lathem Postell Leo Tae Youl Park Luther Oconer Lyndol Loyd Paul Lawler Peter J. Bellini (Pete) Scott Pattison Tom Mabry To learn more about each nominee, including the Annual Conferences by which they were nominated and to read their bios, visit the Episcopal Nominee page on the General Conference website at beautyofholiness2026.org . This page will continue to be updated as additional materials are submitted and finalized. A Covenant of Unity Among Nominees In a spirit of humility, prayer, and shared commitment to the unity of the Church, the nominees have also collectively developed a covenant that is being shared with the General Church as part of this discernment process. Grounded in John 17:20–24, the covenant reflects a shared desire that the episcopal process would be marked by holiness, unity, integrity, and love for one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. The covenant serves as a reminder that this discernment process is not about personal advancement, but about faithfully seeking the Lord’s will for the future leadership of the Global Methodist Church. The full covenant can be viewed here . Updates and Honoring Bishops Following the release of the preliminary nominee list, several updates are worth noting. Bishop Kimba K. Evariste announced his decision not to seek re-election. Mbingeleli Diko of South Africa, who was included in the preliminary announcement, has since declined the nomination. Additionally, Peter J. Bellini (Pete) was added as a nominee from the West Plains Conference. Bishop Kimba K. Evariste will be honored for his faithful service alongside Bishops Scott Jones, Jeff Greenway, and Kenneth Levingston, who are also not seeking re-election. The Church looks forward to recognizing the impact and legacy of these leaders at General Conference 2026. A Season of Prayerful Discernment As the Global Methodist Church enters this important season of discernment, we invite our global connection to join in prayer for all nominees and for the work ahead. We trust that the Lord will faithfully guide this process as we seek leaders who will help carry forward the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ and spreading scriptural holiness across the globe.

There are five administrative committees that shepherd the work of the General Conference, where delegates have a say in how the conference functions. These are: Agenda (in what order will the business of the conference be dealt with), Credentials (who is credentialed as a delegate), Journal (approves the accuracy of the minutes of the conference and advises the secretary on compiling the new Book of Doctrines and Discipline ), Nominations (who is recommended to be elected to the general church commissions, councils, and committees), and Reference (what petitions are valid and what legislative committee should deal with each petition). These committees are made up of General Conference delegates nominated by their delegation, recommended by the General Conference Commission, and elected by the Connectional Council. The members elected by the Connectional Council are based on the following principles: · People who are well qualified to do the work · Representation from as many annual conferences as possible from the global church · Each committee being half clergy and half lay · Striving for gender balance The Book of Doctrines and Discipline requires that members of the administrative committees shall have also been delegates to the preceding General Conference in Costa Rica. This requirement prevented most of the European, Filipino, or Latin American annual conferences from nominating anyone for these committees because their current delegates were not delegates in 2024. Therefore, the committees are roughly half-African and half-U.S. in voting membership. (Legislation has been submitted to eliminate this requirement for future General Conferences.) Due to this requirement, conferences that were not part of the Global Methodist Church in 2024 would also be excluded. The Connectional Council voted to add two non-voting members to each committee except the Agenda Committee to provide representation from those conferences joining since 2024. The Connectional Council also voted to add a non-voting advisory team to assist the Nominations Committee in their work. The advisory team will consist of two GMC staff persons, two bishops, and two conference superintendents. The goal is to have more people in the room who know the nominees and can give guidance in forming the slate of recommended general church commission members. We received nominations from 18 of the 30 annual conferences present in Costa Rica. Some of the 12 who did not submit nominations were precluded by the above requirement. Others chose not to submit nominations. Of the 18 conferences that submitted nominations, 17 have members elected to a committee. We also received nominations from 9 of the 17 annual conferences not in Costa Rica. Eight of them have a non-voting member on one of the committees. In addition, 40 percent of the voting members are women. The Reference and Nominations Committees will begin working immediately, as most of their responsibilities are carried out well before the General Conference meets. The Agenda, Credentials, and Journal Committees will begin meeting in May, with the Journal Committee’s responsibilities continuing for several months after the General Conference adjourns in September. Please keep these committee members in prayer as they seek to facilitate the work of the General Conference.