Faithful Presence: GMC Endorsing Ministries Gathers at Vermeer Global Pavilion

May 27, 2026

PELLA, Iowa — Endorsed leaders from across the Global Methodist Church gathered in April at the Vermeer Global Pavilion in Pella, Iowa, for a two-day training and fellowship event focused on strengthening ministry, building relationships, and encouraging those called to serve Christ beyond the walls of the local church.


Hosted by GMC Endorsing Ministries in partnership with Vermeer Corporation, the event centered on the theme Faithful Presence: Courage, Calling, and Care in Endorsed Ministry.


Forty participants represented a broad range of ministry settings, including military chaplaincy, healthcare, corrections, counseling, coaching, corporate chaplaincy, first responder ministries, and other specialized contexts where ministry often takes place outside traditional congregational life.


Rev. Gary Clore, Director of Endorsing Ministries for the Global Methodist Church, noted that the event reflected the church’s commitment to caring for and equipping endorsed leaders serving in unique ministry environments.


“Many of our endorsed leaders serve in places where they are often the church’s first point of contact with people in crisis, transition, or need; they serve as a faithful presence of Christ in places many churches may never reach,” Clore said. The work of endorsed ministry reflects John Wesley’s famous conviction, “The world is my parish.” For Wesley, ministry extended beyond church buildings and traditional boundaries into the places where people lived and worked. 



The gathering began with an in-person meeting of the Ecclesiastical Endorsing Board before transitioning into worship, fellowship, and training sessions designed to encourage and equip participants.


Highlights included presentations by:

  • Rev. Doug Stewart — Well-Behaved Chaplains Rarely Make History
  • Rev. Jason Fry — From Fixing to Forming: Coaching Skills for Chaplains and Caregivers
  • Faithful Presence on the Front Lines panel discussion featuring endorsed leaders serving in a variety of ministry settings


Monday evening featured a keynote message from Rev. Mike Schafer, Connectional Operations Officer for the Global Methodist Church, who challenged attendees to embrace the significance of ministries that often take place out of public view.


Drawing from 2 Samuel 17:27–29, Schafer highlighted three often-overlooked individuals—Shobi, Makir, and Barzillai—whose practical acts of support sustained David and his followers during a critical moment of crisis.


Though not among Scripture’s most recognized figures, Schafer noted that their faithfulness made a profound difference.


“Some of God’s most important work is carried out by people whose names may never become widely known,” he said.


Schafer reflected on how many endorsed ministers serve in similar ways—quietly, faithfully, and often outside the spotlight. Military chaplains, counselors, healthcare workers, prison chaplains, and others frequently minister in unseen moments that rarely receive public attention but can profoundly shape lives.


His message reminded attendees that kingdom impact is not measured by visibility, platform, or recognition, but by faithfulness.


For many in attendance, the message deeply resonated with the realities of their daily ministry.


Day two featured a special Chaplain Connect experience led by Rev. Dr. Alan T. “Blues” Baker, retired Rear Admiral and former Navy Chaplain, under the theme Navigating the Currents of 21st-Century Chaplaincy.


Drawing from decades of ministry and leadership experience, Baker led participants through three sessions:

  • Vessel at Sea
  • Charting the Course
  • Standing the Watch


Using both practical wisdom and nautical imagery, Baker addressed the challenges chaplains and endorsed leaders face while emphasizing resilience, leadership, and faithful ministry amid rapidly changing ministry contexts.


Participants also received copies of Baker’s Foundations of Chaplaincy as a resource for continued learning and development.


As the event concluded, attendees departed renewed in their calling and strengthened by the reminder that they serve as representatives of Christ in places where ministry often unfolds quietly—but where eternal impact is made.


About GMC Endorsing Ministries

GMC Endorsing Ministries supports and equips endorsed leaders serving in military, healthcare, counseling, corrections, coaching, corporate, and other specialized ministry settings. Through ecclesiastical endorsement, community, training, and ongoing support, endorsed leaders are empowered to serve as faithful representatives of Christ wherever God calls them.

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