Meeting Minutes List

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Meeting Minutes – May 21, 2026
Members Present: Mickey Wheeler, Clark Atkins (Chair), Bishop Leah Hidde-Gregory, Stephanie Malone, Kevin Ryoo, Teresa Marcus (Staff), Brad DeHaven (Acting Secretary)
The meeting was called to order by Clark Atkins at 7:01 am CT. The Commission briefly shared joys and concerns to be lifted by the group in prayer, Mickey Wheeler led the group in prayer.
Minutes from the April 16th meeting of the Commission were reviewed for approval. A motion was made; seconded; approved unanimously.
Applications for Clergy/Churches were considered next from both Vietnam and Brazil. All nine clergy presented from Vietnam, which consisted of five elders and four deacons, were approved. One clergy person from Latin America was also approved to serve in the Global Methodist Church. One church from Brazil was also approved by the commission to become a Global Methodist congregation, as well as four congregations from Vietnam. Application fields will be updated to accommodate the information from the Vietnam TCAT request, so that they could convene by the end of September.
A request for funding from the Commission came from the Latin American/Caribbean Emerging Area in order to bring people together in Panama for their initial Gathering. The request totaled $13,761.00. A motion was made; seconded and approved unanimously.
A request for funds for Luciano Pereira, seeking reimbursement for travel expenses for Training in Brazil in the amount of $2,221.16 was also presented to the Commission. A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously.
A Vacancy on the Commission was discussed as Kathryn Chittenden resigned from the Commission effective immediately citing health issues. She was from the Heartland Conference. A recommendation for a replacement lay member was lifted by Clark Atkins: Dr. William Brown DVM, also from Heartland Conference. His credentials were included in the meeting’s initial packet, and were discussed. Nominations for mid-term vacancies are given by the Commission to the Connectional Council. The term for this vacancy would be through the end of October 2026. The new Conferences Commission’s term begins November 1, 2026 following election at General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. A motion was made, seconded and approved unanimously.
A brief update on Mexico was given by Bishop Gregory. The Mexico Conference began with one congregation; they now have 16 Churches! Over 50 Churches are in the process of voting as a block to disaffiliate from Methodist Church of Mexico and join the GMC soon.
Closing Prayer was offered by Stephanie Malone, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:31am CT.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bradley L. DeHaven
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