We are pleased to announce that the reports and proposed legislation for the upcoming Great Lakes Annual Conference are now available for review. The conference will be held in Spring Arbor, Michigan, from June 11 to 13, 2025. All conference delegates and interested parties can access these important documents by visiting the link below. We encourage everyone to review these materials before our gathering to ensure productive and informed discussions and decisions during our time together. While most reports are now available, we are still awaiting two important documents: Nominations Team Report Strategic Plan Report These remain ing reports are expected to be available later this month as we approach the conference date. We will announce that once they have been uploaded to the conference website. We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Rev. Chris Gadlage for his exceptional leadership of our legislative efforts. Chris has devoted countless hours to ensuring our legislative process runs smoothly and efficiently. His dedication to organizing proposals, coordinating with committees, and maintaining clear communication has been invaluable to our conference preparation. We look forward to seeing you in Spring Arbor as we gather to worship, fellowship, and discuss the important work ahead for our conference.
We’re excited to share some big news: the Great Lakes Conference now has its very own merchandise store! That’s right—official Great Lakes gear is now available, and we’re proud to be the first Conference to partner with the GMC Store to launch this initiative. From apparel to accessories, the store has a variety of items to help you represent the Great Lakes Conference wherever you go. Special Shipping Offer — Order by May 7 Now through May 7, 2025 , you have the option to pick up your order at our June Annual Conference in Spring Arbor for a reduced shipping fee of just $5 . Prefer home delivery? That’s available too! We're excited to see everyone show their Great Lakes pride. Visit the store today and get your gear in time for our Annual Conference!
This year our Annual Conference gathering, we take time to honor and remember clergy and clergy spouses who have passed away since the formation of the Great Lakes Annual Conference. This sacred time of remembrance allows us to celebrate the lives and ministries of those who faithfully served our churches and communities. We need your help to ensure all are remembered. If you are a family member of a clergy person or clergy spouse who has passed away since the inception of the Great Lakes Annual Conference, we kindly ask you to complete our memorial information questionnaire. The information you provide will help us properly honor your loved one at this year's Annual Conference. Use the link below to access the form. We understand that our communication networks are not perfect, and some families may not receive this important information. Please share this announcement with any clergy families you know who have experienced a loss, so that all our faithful servants can be properly remembered and honored. Thank you for your assistance in helping us create a meaningful tribute to those who made such a difference in our lives.
The Great Lakes Annual Conference is excited to announce a new initiative aimed at strengthening and expanding women’s ministries across our conference. As part of a broader vision to empower and support women in every new Global Methodist Church, Carol Cox, the new Conference Coordinator for Global Methodist Women’s Ministries in the Great Lakes Conference, is seeking dedicated women to join a newly formed Task Force for Women’s Ministries. This Task Force will play a vital role in developing, implementing, and encouraging women’s ministries within local congregations, creating meaningful connections, and providing the resources needed to nurture women’s faith and leadership. By joining this Task Force, women from across the conference will have the opportunity to collaborate, strategize, and make a lasting impact on their communities. The opportunity is now open for women who feel called to be part of this important work. If you are passionate about fostering women’s ministries, building a supportive network, and reaching out to local congregations, this is your chance to get involved. To learn more about the Task Force and how you can participate, reach out to Carol Cox, the Great Lakes Annual Conference Coordinator for Global Methodist Women’s Ministries, at globalwomensministries@greatlakesgmc.org and (217) 454-5004. Additionally, here is a new Global Methodist Women's Ministries (Great Lakes) group page women can join at the link below. Also, be sure to visit the Great Lakes Global Methodist Women’s Ministries display table at the upcoming Annual Conference in June at Spring Arbor, where more information will be available. This is an exciting time to be part of a movement that empowers women, builds strong communities, and advances the mission of the church. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this incredible journey!
As we continue our mission to grow and multiply God's Kingdom throughout the Great Lakes region, we're excited to share several upcoming opportunities for those interested in church planting and multiplication. Building on the foundation laid at our previous events, these training sessions and networking opportunities are designed to equip you with the tools and connections needed for effective ministry. Pre-Conference Training - June 9-10, 2025 (9:00 am - 4:30 pm) The GLAC Church Planting team is proud to sponsor two concurrent training tracks at Spring Arbor University just before our Annual Conference. On-campus lodging for these opportunities is available via annual conference registration, but separate registration for the event itself is required using the links below. These valuable seminars, led by The River Network, provide specialized training based on your experience level: Track 1: Planting Healthy Churches Training Ideal for those considering church planting or in the early stages of launching a new congregation, this two-day workshop covers essential principles of church planting with practical applications for your specific context. Whether you're just beginning to hear the call or have already started the journey, this training will provide valuable tools to help you succeed.
The Great Lakes Prayer and Intercessory Team would like to invite you to an opportunity to be in prayer during the Annual Conference session. The team is seeking prayer persons available onsite to cover the prayer room during the Great Lakes Annual Conference held at Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, MI. Their goal is to have three people available to pray for one-hour time slots to pray with people seeking prayer during the conference. Use first link below to sign up. If you cannot attend but would like to serve as part of our 55-hour prayer initiative, please use the second link below to sign up for an hour-long time slot. Our hope is that we have continual prayer coverage throughout this event. You are welcome to share these links with other prayer warriors so they can join us as well. Our goal is to have each of the 55 hours covered in prayer. Once all the time slots are filled, we will open them up to allow multiple people to pray at the same time. If you have questions about this initiative, please contact Carol Perry at 2014iamhis@gmail.com . Thank you so much for your faithfulness in prayer. May God richly bless you as you intercede for this upcoming conference.
The Great Lakes Annual Conference (GLAC) of the Global Methodist Church has successfully completed the Gathering Phase of its comprehensive strategic planning process and is now transitioning into the Refinement Phase. This marks a significant milestone in the conference's journey to define and communicate our shared future direction and priorities. “We have been overwhelmed by the prayerful and thoughtful participation from across our conference,” says Rev. Dr. Scott Pattison, GLAC Conference Superintendent. “The Holy Spirit has been clearly present in this process, with many survey responses and rich discussions that reflect a deep commitment to our mission. As we move into the Refinement Phase, we are excited to see how God will shape these collective insights into a unified vision.” The initial Gathering Phase, which ran from January through mid-March, yielded exceptional engagement from all segments of the conference community. Over 120 individuals responded to the strategic planning survey. Additionally, facilitated brainstorming sessions with the Leadership Team, Cabinet, Laity, and Board of Ministry generated many additional ideas and insights. The Refinement Phase, now underway and continuing through April, will be led by a task team of strategic thinkers representing various perspectives from across the conference. The team includes Jill Davis, Bridget Douglas, Ellen Harbin, Rev. Dr. Scott Pattison, Rev. Stan Pegram, Rev. Tyler Best, and Rev. Kara Bussabarger. Each team member will be reading through and delving into all the brainstorming session notes and survey submissions, thoroughly analyzing this comprehensive input to identify common themes. These common themes will form the framework and landing place for the emerging strategic goals the team will draw from the gathered input. Throughout this process, the team will bathe everything in prayer, seeking God's guidance at every step. “We've assembled a team with strategic thinking abilities and multiplication mindsets,” says Rev. Tyler Best, GLAC Director of Operations. “These individuals were selected for their ability to discern patterns and think holistically about our future. Most importantly, they understand that this is a discernment process that must be bathed in prayer from beginning to end.” The task team's work follows a precise timeline: a formation meeting in late March, followed by individual in-depth review of all data through the end of the month, reconvening in early April to discuss and discern findings, and completing their work by the end of April. The timeline allows May for packaging the final plan and creating communication tools before the Annual Conference in June. The team will produce a draft strategic plan the Leadership Council will then refine before the final presentation to the conference. “We're entering the most challenging but exciting part of this journey,” says Best. “Our team is committed to honoring voices that contributed while seeking God's wisdom in crafting a plan that will truly advance our mission to make disciples and spread scriptural holiness.” Following the task team's work, the Leadership Council will refine the draft plan, after which it will be shared with the conference community in May through digital communications and Pre-Conference Briefings via video. The strategic plan will also be presented at the Annual Conference session in June, with implementation scheduled to begin in July 2025. Those interested in learning more about the strategic planning process can contact Rev. Tyler Best at tyler.best@greatlakesgmc.org .
Would you like to deepen your church’s prayer life, share the Gospel, build meaningful relationships within the community, and spread hope? The Great Lakes Annual Conference is excited to partner with Church Answers for The Hope Initiative—a transformative 30-day prayer experience designed to inspire your congregation to confidently share the message of Jesus Christ and witness boldly. This initiative invites your church to engage with the community by building meaningful relationships in places where people live, work, and play—all while being grounded in prayer and Scripture. You'll have unlimited access to helpful videos, templates, and resources to guide you in leading The Hope Initiative effectively. We believe so strongly in the transformative power of this experience that we’re offering it free to any Global Methodist Church in the Great Lakes Annual Conference region! To learn how The Hope Initiative can energize your church, pastors can reach out to info@greatlakesgmc.org . The Hope Initiative will help pastors and church members: ✔ Gain a new passion and confidence for evangelism ✔ Deepen their understanding of the biblical foundation for Gospel ministry ✔ Reach the community more effectively ✔ Receive consistent training with a repeatable, proven process ✔ Feel equipped, encouraged, and inspired We can’t wait to see the impact this will have on the Kingdom!
June 11-13, 2025 | Spring Arbor University We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the Great Lakes Annual Conference 2025! Join us for three days of fellowship, worship, and spiritual growth as we gather together at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan. Who Can Attend? The conference welcomes: Designated/elected lay members from local Great Lakes GMC congregations Great Lakes GMC clergy Ordinands and their family, friends, and congregation members Those being recognized as transitional local pastors Ministry certified candidates Interested members of Global Methodist congregations Anyone interested in learning more about the Global Methodist Church Everyone is welcome to register and attend! Registration Fees Adults: $65 per person Youth: FREE (incoming 6th graders through incoming 12th graders) Children: FREE (ages 0 through incoming 5th graders) Accommodations On-Campus Lodging Spring Arbor University dormitories: $30 per night per person Perfect for those wanting to stay close to all conference activities Hotels Several options available within a 20-minute drive of campus Details provided during registration Meals On-campus meal packages are available for $102 per person, covering all meals during the conference. Children and youth eat free on campus. Special Youth Worker Opportunity We're excited to offer a dedicated Youth Worker at this year's conference! Youth leaders, bring 5 or more youth from your congregation and receive a special discounted rate. This is an excellent opportunity for young people to connect with peers across the Great Lakes region while deepening their faith journey. Reach out to the Sessions Registrar for more information regarding this opportunity. Children's Ministry Our excellent children's ministry team has prepared an engaging program for our youngest attendees (ages 0 through incoming 5th grade). Children can enjoy age-appropriate activities and spiritual formation while parents participate in conference sessions. Registration Deadline Advanced registration for annual conference is open until Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 11:59 Eastern. After that time, on campus housing reservations will be unavailable and on campus meals will need to be purchased a la carte. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the Great Lakes Annual Conference 2025! Register today to secure your spot and preferred accommodations. For registration and additional information, please visit our website for an FAQ or contact Kathy Anderson, Sessions Registrar, at registrar@greatlakesgmc.org .
The Great Lakes Annual Conference (GLAC) of the Global Methodist Church is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Methodist Foundation of Mississippi (MFM) for investment management and stewardship education services. The partnership, approved by the GLAC Leadership Council, establishes two new funds aimed at supporting local churches and clergy needs across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. “This partnership represents our commitment to responsible stewardship of conference resources while creating sustainable support systems for our local churches and clergy," said Conference Superintendent Scott Pattison. “We aspire to be an annual conference that effectively discovers, develops, and deploys clergy to serve and lead our local churches and other ministry opportunities as they carry out the mission of the Global Methodist Church. These funds are a next step in pursuing this goal.” After an extensive evaluation process, the GLAC Finance & Administration Team unanimously recommended MFM over competing organizations. While other entities expressed interest in increasing Global Methodist representation, MFM already demonstrated this commitment with half of their board already consisting of Global Methodist clergy and laity. Additionally, MFM's no-fee short term fund—currently offering a 5.35% return rate—outperformed competitors whose offerings included various fee structures that diminished returns. The Foundation's investment approach through Charles Schwab with management by Gerber/Taylor Associates, Inc., rather than Wespath, also aligned better with the conference's values. The two established funds include: Ministerial Scholarship Fund : Initially funded with $25,000, this fund will assist those experiencing a call into ministry as clergy with seminary and alternative pathway educational expenses. The application and disbursement process for this scholarship program is currently in development. Fundraising opportunities for this fund are ongoing and more information regarding possible matching gifts are forthcoming. Clergy Health Support Fund : Seeded with $100,000, this fund will provide bridge funding for clergy who are unable to continue service at their current appointment due to significant health limitations but still require health insurance while awaiting long-term disability or other healthcare options. This funding will alleviate the financial burden on local churches, enabling congregations who qualify to maintain fiscal stability during an important leadership transition. Other investment funds are under consideration and will be shared when established. The partnership also provides GLAC churches access to generosity and stewardship education offered by MFM, whether directly to local churches, through annual conference breakouts, or separate planned events. To provide input on possible topics to be covered in the future, please complete this survey . More information about stewardship events will be available at a later date. In the meantime, local church leaders are encouraged to reach out to MFM for their investment management and stewardship education needs. For more information, reach out to Dr. Todd D. Marion, CPA, MFM Associate Director/CFO at todd@methodistfm.org or Michelle Veazey, MFM Executive Administrative Assistant, at michelle@methodistfm.org . They can also be reached at (601) 948-8845. Donations to the above mentioned funds can be made at methodistfm.org/donate . Please be sure to select “Deposit to endowment” and add a note indicating which fund (GLAC Clergy Health Support or GLAC Ministerial Scholarship) the gift is to benefit. Donors may also call the MFM for instructions on where to mail a donation check. Learn more at methodistfm.org .