On March 6, 2026, confirmed tornadoes hit communities served by Global Methodist churches in Edwardsburg and Union City, Michigan. The Great Lakes Annual Conference is collecting funds to be sent directly to these churches to assist with response efforts. Use the link below to donate or send a check made out to: Great Lakes Annual Conference 3100 W Stones Crossing Rd. Greenwood, IN 46143 Note: please add “Michigan Tornado Relief” in the memo. While much work still lies ahead, our churches in Edwardsburg and Union City are already actively engaged in the initial phase of Disaster Response Ministry. As donations come into the conference, the Disaster Response Ministry has been able to provide gift cards to impacted individuals and families to help meet essential needs on a case-by-case basis. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus during this challenging time. More updates will follow, as future rebuilding efforts will create opportunities for project teams to offer additional support.
Housing at Green Lake Conference Center for this year’s Annual Conference has officially reached capacity, and we are so grateful for the incredible response! If you were unable to secure on-site accommodations, don’t worry! We’ve gathered a list of nearby off-site housing options to help make your planning as smooth as possible. Below, you’ll find a wide variety of off-site housing options including some larger hotel chains in regional cities. In addition, consider using Google, Airbnb, or Vrbo for bed and breakfast and other local lodging options near Green Lake, Wisconsin. Please note that the options below are provided for your information only. The Great Lakes Annual Conference is not specifically partnering or recommending any of the options listed. Green Lake (6 miles): McConnell Inn Heidel House Hotel & Conference Center Ripon (12 miles) : Cobblestone Suites Boarders Inn & Suites by Cobblestone Hotels Mapes Hotel Berlin (14 miles): Super 8 by Wyndham Oshkosh (30 miles): Cobblestone Suites Oshkosh Baymont Inn and Suites Oshkosh Comfort Suites Oshkosh West Wingate by Wyndham Oshkosh Hilton Garden Inn Oshkosh Fond du Lac (30 miles): Hampton Inn Fond du Lac Days Inn by Wyndham Fond du Lac Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fond du Lac Holiday Inn Express and Suites Fond du Lac Comfort Inn Fond du Lac Radisson Hotel and Conference Center Fond du Lac
Scouting ministry is one way the Global Methodist Church (GM Church) walks alongside children, youth, and families as they grow in character, leadership, faith, and service. Through partnerships with scouting-type organizations, churches help create spaces where young people can experience adventure, build meaningful relationships with caring adults, and explore how faith connects with everyday life. Scouting ministry welcomes families from the community and offers opportunities for both youth and adults to grow spiritually while serving together. Many congregations partner with scouting-type organizations as part of their ministry with children and youth. Here are a few of the organizations they may work with: Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts of America) offers programs for children and youths from kindergarten through young adulthood: Cubs; Scouts; Venturers. Girl Scouts of the USA provides programs for girls from kindergarten through high school: Daisies; Brownies; Juniors; Cadettes; Seniors. American Heritage Girls provides programs for girls from kindergarten through high school: Pathfinders; Tenderhearts; Explorers; Pioneers; Patriots. Trail Life provides programs for boys from kindergarten through high school: The Woodlands Trail; Navigators; Adventurers. These organizations emphasize personal growth through outdoor adventure, achievement recognition, uniforms, adult role models, and more. These organizations share a common heritage in the youth movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In England, this was shaped by Muscular Christianity; in the United States, by Theodore Roosevelt’s idea of The Strenuous Life ; and in Germany, by the Wandervogel movement. The GM Church works with children, youth, and families involved in these programs to support their adventures. Congregations of the GM Church may sponsor units of these and similar organizations (e.g., 4-H, Camp Fire), and these units are part of our congregations’ portfolio of ministries. This means that all members and volunteers connected to these units, whether or not they belong to our church, are part of our ministry. GM Church congregations in other countries are connected to different scouting associations. As partners in ministry, we support their work with youth in their local contexts. Additionally, we subscribe to PRAY Publishing programs, which provide five short-term studies for children and youth: Jesus & Me (K–1st Grade); God & Me (2nd–3rd Grade); God & Family (4th–5th Grade); God & Church (middle school); God & Life (high school/young adult). These church-based recognition programs are available to all children and youth of the congregation; students do not need to be registered in a scouting-type organization. PRAY also recognizes adults who minister through scouting volunteering with the God & Service Award. Each organization has its own special days of observance, but churches may choose how to observe and recognize ministries. The GM Church encourages lifting up the accomplishments of youth involved in these programs and recognizing volunteers for their ministry. The Great Lakes Annual Conference offers a recognition program for adults who minister through any scouting-type organization. The Witness Award requires the candidate to have both a scouting mentor and a church mentor. The Great Lakes Conference School of Lay Ministry also offers a Specialty Course in Scouting Ministry. Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ, and scouting-type programs serve as a means toward that end. The GLAC Discipleship Team is responsible for resourcing scouting as ministry in our area. If you would like more information, reach out to Art Collins, Discipleship Team Leader, who can be reached at art.collins@greatlakesgmc.org .
