Annual Conference
June 11-13, 2025 | Spring Arbor University | Spring Arbor, Michigan
Speakers & Worship Services
Join us for the 2025 Annual Conference Session of the Great Lakes Annual Conference in Spring Arbor, Michigan!
Experience the praise and worship, spiritual encouragement, important information, relational connection, and excitement of a continued fresh chapter in the Jesus Mission! Come get EQUIPPED!
Breakout Audio
Breakout Handouts
Main Stage Video
Breakout Session Audio
List of Services
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Accountable Discipleship Phil Carder - Accountable Discipleship: renewing our Methodist DNA. The life of the early Methodists was experienced primarily in their Classes and Bands. Learn how to introduce or expand the number of Accountable Discipleship groups in your congregation.Download Audio Accountable Discipleship
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Building and Maintaining a Movement Mark Webb - John Wesley and the early Methodists began a movement. They spread throughout England and the United States by multiplying disciples and starting churches by the thousands. Over time, movements become organizations, and organizations become institutions. Together we will look at the values, principles and actions we need to center on to be a Holy Spirit movement as the Global Methodist Church.Watch Video Building and Maintaining a Movement
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Christian Camping - A Tool to Jumpstart Your Youth Program Leo Robinson - Christian Camping: The most effective way to reach and disciple young people. Period. Invest in a program delivering lasting results for your church and community.Download Audio Christian Camping - A Tool to Jumpstart Your Youth Program
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Discipleship Made Simple (But Not Easy) Ben Ingebretson - Discipleship is not complicated, but people are, which is why it is not easy. In this breakout, you will learn a simple process you can use to start making disciples where you live, work, play, or learn. you can use to start making disciples where you live, work, play, or learn.Download Audio Discipleship Made Simple (But Not Easy)
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Discipleship Reset: Moving Beyond Attendance & Activity Ellen Harbin - Challenge the cultural misconceptions of success in the church and rediscover the true mission of disciple-making through biblical teaching, personal stories, and practical principles you can apply and share.Download Audio Discipleship Reset: Moving Beyond Attendance & Activity
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Equipping the Global Methodists With A Global-Cultural Mindset Arun Paul - The Global Methodist Church in America is committed to the great commission of Jesus Christ, found in Matthew 28:19, to make disciples of all nations. Are we prepared for a cross-cultural mission in America among the people from diverse cultures living in our neighborhoods? An intercultural mindset will also foster more understanding, trust, and unity among ethnically and culturally diverse Global Methodists from across the globe.Download Audio Equipping the Global Methodists With A Global-Cultural Mindset
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How Your Local Church Becomes Global - Literally! Scott Field - Learn six practical steps to transform your local church into a globally engaged mission force, expanding direct impact through strategic partnerships, funding, prayer, and hands-on involvement.Download Audio How Your Local Church Becomes Global - Literally!
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Leadership 101 in Youth Ministry at the Local Church Level Jon Batch - Equip current and future youth ministry leaders with key strategies, tips, and opportunities to develop, grow, and revitalize their church’s youth ministry, with continued discussions beyond the conference.Download Audio Leadership 101 in Youth Ministry at the Local Church Level
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Mobilizing Women for the Global Harvest Sam Downey and Shannon Rice - Discover how women can ignite discipleship movements and transform communities through the Seed Sowers program, equipping and empowering them to plant the Gospel, make disciples, and step into leadership with confidence.Download Audio Mobilizing Women for the Global Harvest
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Navigating the Call Samuel Padgett - As Global Methodists we believe that each and every one of us is called to be a co-laborer with Jesus Christ in His Kingdom ministry. During this breakout session, we will offer an overview of the official ways that one can answer that call to be a co-laborer. We will discuss the process for how to answer the call as a "Certified Lay Minister" within the local church, the candidacy process for discernment of one's call, and the process of ordination in order to become a clergy member of the Great Lakes Conference.Download Audio Navigating the Call
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On Becoming Houses of Prayer Laura Ballinger - Explore the vision of becoming a “house of prayer” through the Lord’s Prayer, with practical teaching, group prayer, and actionable steps for your church.Download Audio On Becoming Houses of Prayer
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P4P: Pray for Power Jeanne Winter - Discover how prayer can guide us in reaching our communities and the world by listening to God’s wisdom, peace, and strength.Download Audio P4P: Pray for Power
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Prayer Points for Revival Paula Shrock - Engage in the timeless tradition of using scripture as your prayer guide as we pray for God to move in powerful ways in our day and our churches!Download Audio Prayer Points for Revival
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Student: Steps for Engaging in Leadership in Your Home Church and Peer Group Tim Price - This breakout will empower youth (6th-12th grade) to confidently lead in their communities, schools, and churches, equipping them with practical tools, encouragement, and the strength of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.Download Audio Student: Steps for Engaging in Leadership in Your Home Church and Peer Group
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Thriving Through Transition: Preparing for a Stronger Future Doc Abiade - Navigate the critical transitions of life and ministry with biblical wisdom, exploring the past, the cost of commitment, and the call to truly be the Church, ensuring a strong and faithful future.Download Audio Thriving Through Transition: Preparing for a Stronger Future
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Timeless Principles for Church Renewal Scott Pattison - The focus of the early Methodists was to spread Scriptural holiness worldwide. In this workshop, we we will identify the principles embedded within the doctrine, spirit, and discipline of the early Wesleyan Methodist Revival of the Eighteenth Century and show how they can be applied today in your life and ministry.Watch Video Timeless Principles for Church Renewal
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Whole Church Evangelism Tom Anderson - Discover how evangelism can become a natural part of Christian living, as this workshop inspires and equips you to involve your entire congregation in outreach, transforming your church into a powerful witness for Christ in your community.Download Audio Whole Church Evangelism
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Your Church Address is No Accident Sam Rainer - God has strategically placed your church exactly where it is, and what He began at your location is not supposed to stop until Christ returns. This session will explore how your church is strategically positioned to fuel the Great Commission in your neighborhood.Download Audio Your Church Address is No Accident
Breakout Session Handouts
List of Services
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Creative Missional Outreach Tracee Swank - Many church buildings sit empty throughout the week. Come and consider what churches can do to implement creative/entrepreneurial thinking in developing missional outreach by leveraging their existing space.Download Handout Creative Missional Outreach
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Discipleship Reset: Moving Beyond Attendance & Activity Ellen Harbin - Challenge the cultural misconceptions of success in the church and rediscover the true mission of disciple-making through biblical teaching, personal stories, and practical principles you can apply and share.Download Handout Discipleship Reset: Moving Beyond Attendance & Activity
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How Your Local Church Becomes Global - Literally! Scott Field - Learn six practical steps to transform your local church into a globally engaged mission force, expanding direct impact through strategic partnerships, funding, prayer, and hands-on involvement.Download Handout How Your Local Church Becomes Global - Literally!
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Leadership 101 in Youth Ministry at the Local Church Level Jon Batch - Equip current and future youth ministry leaders with key strategies, tips, and opportunities to develop, grow, and revitalize their church’s youth ministry, with continued discussions beyond the conference.Download Handout Leadership 101 in Youth Ministry at the Local Church Level
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Local Church Toolkit Conference Laity SessionDownload Handout Local Church Toolkit
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On Becoming Houses of Prayer Laura Ballinger - Explore the vision of becoming a “house of prayer” through the Lord’s Prayer, with practical teaching, group prayer, and actionable steps for your church.Download Handout On Becoming Houses of Prayer
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P4P: Pray for Power Jeanne Winter - Discover how prayer can guide us in reaching our communities and the world by listening to God’s wisdom, peace, and strength.Download Handout P4P: Pray for Power
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Prayer Points for Revival Paula Shrock - Engage in the timeless tradition of using scripture as your prayer guide as we pray for God to move in powerful ways in our day and our churches!Download Handout Prayer Points for Revival
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Thriving Through Transition: Preparing for a Stronger Future Doc Abiade - Navigate the critical transitions of life and ministry with biblical wisdom, exploring the past, the cost of commitment, and the call to truly be the Church, ensuring a strong and faithful future.Download Handout Thriving Through Transition: Preparing for a Stronger Future
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Timeless Principles for Church Renewal Scott Pattison - The focus of the early Methodists was to spread Scriptural holiness worldwide. In this workshop, we we will identify the principles embedded within the doctrine, spirit, and discipline of the early Wesleyan Methodist Revival of the Eighteenth Century and show how they can be applied today in your life and ministry.Download Handout Timeless Principles for Church Renewal
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Your Church Address is No Accident Sam Rainer - God has strategically placed your church exactly where it is, and what He began at your location is not supposed to stop until Christ returns. This session will explore how your church is strategically positioned to fuel the Great Commission in your neighborhood.Download Handout Your Church Address is No Accident
Main Stage Video
List of Services
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Opening Worship Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
Watch Video -
Wednesday Evening WorshipWatch Video List Item 4
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Conference Learning SessionWatch Video List Item 3
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Ordination ServiceWatch Video List Item 2
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Closing WorshipWatch Video List Item 1
A Special Thank You to Our Session Sponsors
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
Asbury Theological Seminary
Dirt Roads Network
Eaton Rapids Camp Meeting
Global Hope Partners
GuideStone
Hands of Hope
HiCorp/GMC Store
Joy in the Harvest
New Life Network (Red Nueva Vida)
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Seedbed
Thailand Now
Wesley Biblical Seminary
Wesley Seminary
Reports and Proposed Legislation
List of Services
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Rules Document [RUL01]Download List Item 1
Category: Petition
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Discipleship [DISC]Download List Item 2
Category: Report
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General Conference Delegation [DEL]Download List Item 3
Category: Report
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Culture Statement - updated [CUL01]Download List Item 4
Category: Petition
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Endorsed Ministry [ENM]Download
Category: Report
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Bylaws - updated [BYL01]Download
Category: Petition
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Board of Ministry [BOM]Download
Category: Report
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Budget [BUD]Download
Category: Petition
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Finance & Administration [F&A]Download
Category: Report
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Finance Policy [FIN01]Download
Category: Petition
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Nominations Report [NOM]Download
Category: Report
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Strategic Plan [STRAT]Download
Category: Report