The Great Lakes Annual Conference is pleased to announce the addition of one new district and a change in district lines, effective September 1, 2026. On the recommendation of the Cabinet, the Conference Connectional Council approved this transition in response to the encouraging growth God is bringing to the Global Methodist Church across central Illinois. The plan creates a new Illinois East District, renames the Illinois Central District the Illinois West District, and makes the Illinois Southeast District the Illinois South District. Please make careful note of these changes as work on charge conference submissions begins. Dr. Arun Paul will join the Cabinet, serving the Illinois East District as Presiding Elder. Rev. Jon Carrell will continue as Presiding Elder and will shift to overseeing the Illinois West District. All other district lines and Presiding Elder appointments remain the same. "I am very thankful for the care and leadership Jon has given to the churches and leaders of the Illinois Central District," said Conference Superintendent Scott Pattison. "We are excited about the many new churches in this area that have come online within the last year to become part of our movement, and I know Arun will do a fantastic job as he begins to serve." Rev. Stan Pegram, Interim Dean of Cabinet, noted: "We believe this shift will allow churches to stay closely connected and well supported, keeping each district at a size where healthy relationships and care can thrive." The churches in each of the new districts are listed below. Illinois West Sherman; Bissell (Springfield); Rockbridge; Greenfield; Hillsboro; Irving; Coffeen; Fillmore; Gillespie; Staunton; Dorchester; Mt. Olive; Sorento; Troy; Worden; New Athens Illinois East Waynesville; Decatur Grace; Champaign New Horizon; Faith Beyond Madison (Westfield); Zion Hill Church in Paradise; Marshall; Pearl Chapel; Olney; Zion Country Any questions regarding this new shift can be directed to Rev. Stan Pegram, Interim Dean of Cabinet, at stan.pegram@greatlakesgmc.org or the Presiding Elder of the respective districts.
Do you know someone who may be called to become a Certified Lay Minister (CLM) in the Global Methodist Church? Enrollment is now open for 2026 CLM courses. We encourage you to share this opportunity with potential CLMs in your congregation or district and invite them to explore this next step in ministry. How to Register: Click the link below to view the full list of Fall 2026 courses and registration information. To reserve your spot, complete your registration no later than two weeks before the start date of your selected class. Important Dates: Registration Deadline: Two weeks before each class begins. After the registration deadline, instructors will contact registered students with course details and additional information. If a class reaches capacity, a waitlist will be available. Participants on the waitlist will be notified if a space becomes available.
The Great Lakes Annual Conference is growing, and we're excited to invite passionate, Kingdom-minded individuals to join our team! We are currently seeking a part-time IT Specialist and a full-time Administrative Assistant. These are two important roles that will help strengthen the daily ministry and operations of the conference. If you have a heart for serving others, enjoy working collaboratively, and want to use your gifts to support the mission of the Church (or someone who does), we'd love to hear from you. Explore the opportunities below to learn more. Two New Roles: 1. Administrative Assistant (Full-Time, Remote or In-Person) The Great Lakes Annual Conference is seeking a warm, organized, and service-oriented Administrative Assistant to support the Conference Superintendent and serve as a welcoming point of contact for the conference. This full-time, hybrid position includes managing schedules and communications, coordinating meetings and events, answering inquiries, and providing administrative support to help the conference operate efficiently. The ideal candidate is highly organized, communicates with professionalism and hospitality, handles confidential information with discretion, and enjoys serving others in a ministry-focused environment. Key Responsibilities: Provide administrative and scheduling support to the Conference Superintendent. Manage calendars, meetings, and event requests. Serve as the first point of contact by answering phones and responding to general inquiries. Coordinate conference communications and route requests to the appropriate staff. Maintain accurate conference calendars and assist with office operations. Provide exceptional hospitality while handling confidential information with discretion. Full Administrative Assistant Job Description 2. IT Specialist (Part-Time, Remote) Help keep the Great Lakes Annual Conference connected and running smoothly! We're seeking a service-minded IT Support Specialist to provide technical support, manage our digital platforms, maintain our website and databases, administer Google Workspace, and create training resources that empower staff and church leaders to use technology with confidence. This hybrid, part-time position (approximately 25 hours per week) is ideal for someone with strong troubleshooting skills, experience with cloud-based tools, and a passion for serving others through technology. Key Responsibilities: Maintain conference databases, online forms, and digital platforms. Administer Google Workspace and support Microsoft Office users. Update and maintain the conference website and mobile app. Provide friendly technical support and troubleshoot IT issues. Create training videos, guides, and other technology resources. Support conference communication tools and secure file sharing. We are excited to share these two new opportunities to join the Great Lakes Annual Conference team. If you are passionate about serving others, strengthening ministry, and supporting the work of the church through your skills, we invite you to explore these roles and consider applying using the link below. In addition to the application, a leadership discovery assessment is required to complete your submission. Full IT Specialist Job Description DEADLINE TO APPLY IS FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2026, AT NOON ET. Questions? Contact us at info@greatlakesgmc.org or (463) 202-6032.
