Some of the most important work of a General Conference happens quietly. While the election of bishops and other major moments may capture the attention of the Church, much of the ongoing work of the Global Methodist Church is carried forward by clergy and laity who serve through its councils, commissions, and committees. During the 2026 General Conference, delegates elected clergy and laity from across the connection to help guide the Church’s work for the 2026–2032 sexennium. Among those elected were several leaders from the Great Lakes region who will serve in these important roles. In this post, we’re highlighting the Great Lakes clergy and laity who were elected to serve and giving a brief look at the important work of the bodies to which they have been appointed. The Conferences Commission exists to support the strategic growth and organization of the Global Methodist Church around the world. It makes recommendations to the Assembly of Bishops, the Connectional Council, and the General Conference regarding the creation, restructuring, or modification of annual conferences — the regional bodies through which the Church carries out its work. Delegates elected six clergy and six laity, with no additional members to be added. Laity: Kirsten Mains The Ecumenical Relationships Commission strengthens the Church's ties with the broader body of Christ, bringing recommendations to the Assembly of Bishops and the Connectional Council concerning the denomination's participation in councils and networks of Christian bodies, as well as covenants or potential unions with other churches — the very work embodied this week in the covenant signed with the Korean Methodist Church. A bishop chairs the commission; delegates elected four clergy and four laity. Laity: Bridget Douglas The Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission exists to support faithful stewardship, integrity, and transparency at every level of the connection. Appointed by the General Conference and reporting to the Connectional Council, it provides financial oversight, legal support, and guidance in matters of retirement, benefits, and recordkeeping. Delegates elected ten members, with the Connectional Council able to add up to five more. Laity: Sherry Austin The Global Episcopacy Committee oversees the election of bishops, provides human-resources and administrative support for their ministry, and processes concerns in keeping with the Church's Judicial Practice and Procedures — the body that guided this week's historic episcopal elections. Its nominees were chosen by the Connectional Council, as prescribed by the “Book of Doctrines and Discipline,” and delegates elected six clergy and six laity, each by a sixty-percent vote. Clergy: Chris Ritter
Great Lakes Annual Conference Welcomes Bishop-elect Jerry Kulah We are pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah, who has been elected to serve as bishop of Episcopal Area 5, which includes the Great Lakes Annual Conference. Bishop-elect Kulah is from Liberia, West Africa, where he came to personal faith in Christ in 1977 and was discipled through the ministries of Youth for Christ and the Great Commission Movement. He is married to Ruth Chea Kulah, and together they have four children. Dr. Kulah holds a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership from Asbury Theological Seminary and is a PhD candidate in Contextual Theology, with an emphasis in Discipleship, at Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom. An evangelist, pastor, teacher, and administrator, Dr. Kulah brings nearly three decades of full-time ministry experience. He currently serves as Conference Superintendent of the Grain Coast Conference. Throughout his ministry, he has served the church in a variety of leadership roles, including pastor, Director of Evangelism and Missions, District Superintendent, professor of Biblical and Theological Studies, Dean, and Vice President of the United Methodist University in Liberia. Dr. Kulah is also an accomplished writer, international speaker, and conference facilitator. He has served in leadership and speaking roles at gatherings across the United States. The newly elected bishops will begin serving their episcopal areas in November. As Bishop-elect Kulah prepares to begin his ministry among us, we give thanks for his leadership and experience and look forward to welcoming him to the Great Lakes Annual Conference. We invite our entire Great Lakes connection to pray for Bishop-elect Kulah and his family as they prepare for this new season of ministry, and to join us in extending a warm welcome when he begins his service among us in November.
Welcome to the Team: Meet Joelle & Darrin Great Lakes Annual Conference is growing, and we are grateful to welcome two new members to our staff who will help us serve the people and churches across the Great Lakes Annual Conference. Joelle Hornick joins the team as our Administrative Assistant, bringing a heart for people and a passion for serving those who serve the church. Darrin Deal joins us as our part-time IT Specialist, bringing technical experience and a desire to use those skills to strengthen the work of ministry. Meet Joelle - Administrative Assistant Joelle knows a thing or two about serving behind the scenes. Originally from Camden, Indiana, she now lives in Ramsey, Indiana, with her husband, Joe, who is a Global Methodist pastor, and their four children. That experience of being close to the work of ministry has shaped the way Joelle sees her new role. “I love helping people who are doing the hard, holy work of ministry,” Joelle says. “My heart is to be a behind-the-scenes helper, a ‘hero maker,’ for the leaders, pastors, and servants who are out there every day loving on their communities and pointing people to Jesus.” That “hero maker” mindset is a fitting description of what Joelle brings to the conference staff. Her role may happen largely behind the scenes, but the people she serves are doing ministry on the front lines every day. Conference Superintendent Rev. Dr. Scott Pattison is grateful to have her on the team. “Joelle has a genuine gift for helping and a steady presence behind the scenes,” said Scott. “She loves connecting with people and pointing them toward what they need. We are grateful God has led her to serve the Great Lakes Annual Conference in this way.” Meet Darrin - IT Specialist For Darrin, technology is not really about technology. It is about what technology makes possible. Originally from Southern Indiana, Darrin now lives in Indianapolis and also works at The Compass Church in Selma, Indiana. He is excited to bring his technical experience to the conference and help create systems and solutions that allow ministry leaders to focus on what matters most. “As I support the conference with tech solutions, I enable the work of ministry to be done in our communities,” said Darrin. That perspective is exactly what Rev. Kara Bussabarger, Director of Equipping, sees Darrin bringing to the role. “Darrin believes that when technology works smoothly, leaders are freed up to shepherd people well,” said Kara. “That is the kind of support we want to provide across the Great Lakes Conference, and we are excited to have Darrin here to help make that happen. He has a gift for turning problems into solutions and the complicated into clarity, and we are thrilled to have him on the team.” After a thoughtful search process, we are excited to welcome Joelle and Darrin to the Great Lakes team. We are thankful for the gifts, experience, and heart they will bring to the Great Lakes Annual Conference!
