Meeting Minutes List

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasiGeneral Conference Commission (GCC)
August 11, 2026
9am EST
Voting Members Present: Sterling Allen, Shalom Azabe, Ginger Barbee, Tim Beardsley, Mary Blagojevich, Beth Ann Cook, Elie Diko, César Gazza, Joy Griffin, Mike Grant, Jeff Greenway, Tsvetan Iliev, Carol Loeb, James Kawadza, Chipau Audu Kilyobas, Bridget Kirk, Norma Morrison, Nicolas Munongo, Davies Musigo, Mack Parker, Charles Puno, Stacy Taylor, Jay Therrell, Molly Williams
Non-Voting Members Present: Laura Ballinger, Rhonda Bourgeois, Dianne Burnett, Jonathan Fehl, Tom Lambrecht, Lamar Oliver, Bishop John Pena, Mike Schafer, Becci Wood
Not Present: Lyndsey Clark, Tesia Mallory, Bill Patrick
Opening Prayer: Tom
Minutes: Motion by Mary, seconded by Tsvetan to approve minutes from July 28. Approved 13-0
Nigerian VISA discussion:
• Bishop Pena was present to offer his disappointment and ask questions about the denial of VISAs for the entire Nigerian delegation. Only those who applied individually were given VISAs. Elie explained the situation. The Department of Home Affairs claims they never received the entire list, which Elie had emailed in May. The Embassy denied the request based on this report from the Department of Home Affairs. Elie is going to the Department of Home Affairs office on Wednesday morning and has the full support of the Ambassador. He has all the letters and flight information regarding the Nigerians that he needs. PRAY for Elie and our Nigerian brothers and sisters.
• MOTION by Sterling, seconded by Beth Ann that we suspend the rules to pursue both the Hybrid and the on site negotiations to allow the Nigerian delegates to fully participate in General Conference. Also move that we suspend the rules to allow expenditure beyond contingency funds to pursue both options and that Mike Grant be allowed to approve these expenditures and report endorsement to the General Conference to avoid time lapse and waiting for votes to approve expenditures. Approved 19-0-0
• Molly noted that the Hybrid potential cost is already in the budget. • MOTION by Beth Ann, seconded by Tim to empower Jay and Elie to expend money as necessary for an attorney to assist Elie, and to suspend rules to pay what is needed. Approved 16-0-1
Connectional Council Report, Mike Schafer:
• Finalized discussion around the adjustments to the plan of organization for the nominating committee process. These have gone to Tom to incorporate them into the plan of organization.
Assembly of Bishops, Bishop Greenway:
• Meeting tomorrow and will discuss which bishops will be presiding over General Conference. Jeff will let Norma know for the agenda.
Event Project Manager, Becci:
• Online registrations closed - only can register manually now.
• Final rooming list to hotels today
• Worked on wristband colors and access, buttons for translation
• Tech with IVTM being refined
• Finalizing meeting space
• Encouraging us to not make new requests at this time for Logistics, printing, etc. • Gautrain cards were sent to the heads of delegations, Becci will be speaking with them soon. Key volunteers and volunteers will not be mailed, these can be picked up at the kiosk at the airport upon arrival.
Mike Grant:
• During the Connection Council report on Tuesday, September 1 at 9:30am, please be in the room, as the commissions will be thanked.
• Final commission meeting on September 22 for evaluation and October 20 with new commission. Pencil in October 6, just in case it is needed.
• General Conference offering: MOTION by Tim, seconded by James that after consultation with South African Conference Superintendent Bulelani Notshakaza and team, an offering during the African Celebration be received and given to Blessman International, which is an approved GMC mission and located in South Africa. Elie and Bulelani are involved with this mission. Jay will give Dianne the logo and information about Blessman to be communicated. Molly will work on the QR code, and Matt Conover and Molly will discuss the logistics of counting and sending the money to Blessman. Approved 17-0
• Becci will talk to Sindi about adding the offering to the African Celebration schedule.
Worship Team, Tesia:
• No report
Translation/Interpretation, Bill: (Jonathan Fehl)
• Adding an additional 150 hours to KUDO contract at a cost of $13,400. This is already in the budget.
• Working on KUDO training materials for Sunday’s presentation. Jonathan doing the training, and a KUDO tech will be onsite. Slide and information for training will be sent to Dianne, slides to Lyndsey.
• Headphones should be worn if using the audio feature, or participants can read the written translation on their device. This will be noted in the information. • Looking for additional persons in legislative committees to help with KUDO.
Missions, Tim:
• A bit behind getting mission supplies where they need to be, but God’s got it.
Housing/Logistics, James:
• Falling into place, Seedbed shipment causing headaches.
Legislative, Tom:
• All print information in (Thanks, James!); concern for Nigerian Volunteers (one is a parliamentarian). Ready to go!
Petitions, Lamar:
• Small petition supplement coming out today; all to the printer.
Agenda, Norma:
• Minor changes occurring weekly
• Send delegation dinner dates to Norma (most venues are booked, may have to try a different night)
• Norma will send an updated agenda
Finance, Molly:
• If money needs to be sent to South Africa, please let Molly know sooner than later. • Working on updates to show the amount of money spent on General Conference.
Exhibitors/Sponsors, Mack:
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary will take the last available space.
Hospitality/Volunteers, Stacy:
• No report - will check on Nigerian volunteers
International Relations, Elie:
• Report above
Credentialing/Registration, Carol:
• Bring passports and a smile and we’re ready.
Communications, Dianne:
• Chatter on What’s App - GCC needs to be messaging the same message - positive and factual.
• GC will be Livestreamed and the Livestream (via Youtube channel) will be available later in the day.
• Legislative committees are not Livestreamed
• Dianne’s team is receiving requests for communication, and managing how the message can be received the best.
Prayer, Laura:
• Finishing up loose ends. Question about sashes for prayer team.
• Praying and fasting as a GCC - next Tuesday, August 18. Participate as you are able wherever you are.
Next meeting: August 28 at 1:30PM at the Sandton Convention Center Team Leader’s meetings: August 20 at 10am EST
Follow up meeting on September 22 and October 20.
Motion to adjourn by Stacy, seconded by Carol. Approved 13-0 Meeting closed in prayer by Bridget.
Minutes submitted by Stacy Taylorze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.