Meeting Minutes List

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasiMinutes from Kingdom Advancement Commission
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Bishop in Attendance: Kimba Evariste
Members in Attendance: Wes Griffin, Paul Lawler, Linda Davis, Sherri Tabaka-Morrissey, Max Wilkins, Kabah Kasongo Mwenze, Steve Cordle, Simon Mafunda, Mariela Mihailova, Jeff Jernigan, Luciano Pereira da Silva, YoonHee Kang, Mwenge Muyombi, Fe Olonan, Musa Danjuma Omar, Heather Carter-Young, Terry Vanderslice
Welcome and Opening Prayer - Wes Griffin
Devotion – Bishop Kimba Evariste
In John 9, the story of the man born blind, the disciples’ ask Jesus what is responsible for his blindness – his or his parents’ sin? Jesus responds that the reason for his blindness is not punishment but to reveal God’s glory. Likewise, our sufferings, our challenging situations, both in and out of the church, are not punishments but are opportunities for God to reveal His glory in and through us for the benefit of those around us. Like the disciples whose work for the gospel still makes an impact today, let’s commit our work to God that it will stand 100 years from now. There is a lesson in all circumstances, and everything happens for the glory of God to be revealed. God will not abandon us.
Minutes from Thursday, July 10, 2025
Linda Davis motioned to approve. Paul Lawler seconded. Unanimously approved.
The Kingdom Advancement Vision and Mission – Wes Griffin and Paul Lawler General Updates from Wes Griffin, Chairperson
• The Kingdom Advancement Roadmap accurately reflects our goals, and we should periodically refer to it and update as needed. The operations team will work on a communication strategy for the rest of this year through next year to share the key aspects of the Commission.
• 2026 Strategic Plans and Budgets are in development.
• March 14-16, 2026 is an in-person meeting in Orlando, Florida before the Exponential conference (March 17-19). Heather Carter-Young, our secretary, is the registrar for that meeting. All expenses related to our meeting and the conference will be covered by the Commission.
• General Conference is August 30 to September 5, 2026. The General Conference website is: https://www.globalmethodist.org/2026-general-conference . We will not bring the whole commission to attend. If you’re a delegate email Wes and copy Heather so we can ensure representation in multiple areas, especially those that impact kingdom advancement.
General Updates from Paul Lawler, Vice-Chairperson
• Paul Lawler and Jeff Jernigan represent the Commission on the Connectional Council. They will meet in Barcelona at the end of October to develop strategy, budgets, and policies for 2026 and beyond. They will look particularly at global staffing including the Commission’s vision for regional coordinators.
• The goal of the Movemental Podcast is to be a grand narrative of what God is doing in the GMC. Interviews are complete; the team is now compiling and recording the narrative for release.
• 2027 Beyond These Walls conference is February 25-27, 2027 in The Woodlands, Texas. The Commission will likely meet in-person before or after.
TEAM UPDATES
Missions Mobilization and Unreached People Groups
Third Quarter Report 2025
Submitted by Sherri Tabaka-Morrissey, Mission Mobilization team leader
Purpose: This document provides an overview of the July-Sept 2025 Mission Mobilization Area activities.
Overview: Multiple teams including members from across the globe are being coordinated for the purpose of equipping, connecting, and empowering the GMC in mission. Here are some of the areas, needs, and projects under the purview of the Mission Mobilization Area. (Highlighted areas will be addressed in this report.)
• Engage Mission Mobilization Training for Local Churches and Annual Conference Leaders
• The GMC Kingdom Advancement Portal with Multi-Language Online Resource Library • The Acts 1:8 Certificate/Award Program
• Missional Prayer & the Persecuted Church
• Unreached People Groups
• Establishing & Maintaining Healthy Partnerships
• Transitional Assistance Partnerships
• Sustainable Community Development
• Cross-Cultural Witnesses (Missionaries)
• Approved/Strategic Missional Partners
• Equipping for Cross-Cultural Service & Short-Term Teams
Engage Mission Mobilization Training Update
Engage materials are being formalized – Oct. 15 is our deadline.
Upcoming events: Nov. in N.GA & Lubbock TX.
Scheduled for Spring of 2026: Philippines (Mega Manila and Covenant); Nigeria; Florida; more to come.
GMC Kingdom Advancement Portal/Multi-Language Online Resource Library
Amber Tolbert (KA Commission Portal & Resource Library Coordinator) has taken on added responsibilities to bring this multi-year project online. Additional design work is taking place, planning for new pages, and efforts toward collaboration with GMC Communications are all in motion.
Missional Prayer & the Persecuted Church
Communication is being prepared to promote the International Day of Prayer for persecuted Christians.
Partnership Ambassadors & Transitional Assistance Partnership Training
In Q2, a series of trainings scheduled by Bishop Mark Webb between paired AC leaders, Partnership Ambassadors, and bishops began. The final five sessions were completed in Q3.
Approved Missional Partnerships
The total number of approved Strategic Missional Partners: 38; approved Apostolic Ministries: 3. Q3 approvals include: Tifaouin Ministry, Inc. (MP) and Petros Network (AP). New applications will next be reviewed Nov. 3.
Note: A component of Strategic Missional Partners is that they are Wesleyan in doctrine/theology; Apostolic Ministries/Leaders are also vetted; they represent highly effective disciple-making & church multiplication movement equippers, hailing from the wider orthodox evangelical family, and are recognized as particularly helpful where there is limited Wesleyan/methodist leadership on the ground – in the 10/40 window and among UPGs for instance);
Additional Q3 Highlights:
1. The Equipping Team has begun to function with 3 sub-teams to meet these needs. Terry Vanderslice is shepherding these teams, and they are making progress. Plans will be forthcoming.
(1) Promoting & developing Intercessory Mission-related Prayer within our denomination and developing awareness of the persecuted church;
(2) Equipping mission committee leaders of the majority of our churches to carry out their task. Most of our churches do not have a paid "Mission Pastor"; often, local church mission committee leaders are volunteers who may come into their vital role without significant training.
(3) Building out a Mission Mobilization "Community"
2. The MM Area is committed to identifying and incorporating young leaders. An example: Metrine Mudibo of Kenya, now serving as the Secretary of the Missional Partnerships Evaluation Team. We are grateful for her excellent leadership.
3. Working to strengthen Wesleyan collaboration in Europe: GMC Sponsorship of European Wesleyan Gathering at the Baltic Seminary in Estonia; scholarships are being provided to 14 participants from Finland, Czechia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania-Ukraine, Croatia, and Slovakia.
Significant Challenges/Obstacles to Overcome
1. Establishing regular communication with AC Mission Chairs/AC leaders. We do not want to overwhelm conference leaders with numerous emails and ‘too much information’. We need to be able to identify the best channel of communication, for example, the GMC General
Church Newsletter or a KA Commission newsletter with blog providing dedicated sections to EV/CM/MM/DR for example?)
2. Access to current AC leadership database would be a huge timesaver when targeted communication with specific leaders is needed.
3. Sustainable Community Development. There are discussions regarding how to proceed and a strong desire to “start now.” Thought and prayer is needed to proceed well. Beginning in early 2026 would be most reasonable.
Call to Action:
The 2026 MM budget proposal has been submitted to the Exec/Operations team for consideration.
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Church Multiplication and Evangelism
Third Quarter Report 2025
Submitted by Max Wilkins and Steve Cordle, Church Multiplication & Evangelism team leaders General Overview:
1) 2026 proposed operational budget for CM&E submitted
2) Church Multiplication and Evangelism update to be sent to all Conference Superintendents, conference evangelism leaders, church multiplication leaders, and any other interested parties who choose to sign up to receive it.
3) An up-to-date mailing list for US Conferences CM&E leaders is complete. A similar list for CM&E conference level leaders outside the US is in development.
4) Regular meetings of the CM&E Team, and the Regional Coordinators are planned through the end of 2026.
5) The CM&E team is cooperating with denominational officials on the development of our global GMC database to include information on all global GMC church plants. 6) An overall CM&E strategic plan, as well as regional plans for Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and North America for 2026 are in place.
Regional Updates (alphabetically):
1) Africa
a. Africa is organized into five geographic areas with members of the leadership team assigned to oversee the KA work in each area. The regional leadership team is meeting regularly with accountability.
b. Malawi Conference is established. 23 congregations with a goal to add 20 more by the end of 2025.
c. Zimbabwe Conference established. 60 churches. Goal of adding 40 more by the end of 2025.
d. New work continues in Madagascar and Botswana with the likelihood of registering the GMC in both countries before the end of 2025.
e. The partnership with One Mission Society’s Village Church Planting program and several of our conferences in Africa is already yielding great results and more conferences will likely come online with VCP in 2026.
f. The Africa Mashariki Convening Conference was held September 18-22, 2025. This is a Kenya based missional AC for East Africa.
g. Meetings with the emerging area of Sudan, South Sudan, and Egypt have taken place with teams including Bishop Scott Jones.
h. 2026 CM&E strategic plan (with proposed budget requests) in place. 2) Asia
a. Talks are ongoing with a group of ordained Methodists and laity in Vietnam. Our Asia team, working closely with Bishop Moore are optimistic that the GMC of Vietnam may emerge shortly.
b. This summer church multiplication trainings were conducted in two areas of the Philippines to great success. Philippines is working on an aggressive church multiplication plan.
c. A regional church multiplication and evangelism training for high level leaders will be held February 23-26, 2026 in Bangkok.
d. The Asia team is working with the TCAT of the emerging area of South Asia (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh) in anticipation of a convening AC in December 2025.
e. A leadership team is functioning in Asia region and is currently working with emerging area leaders on GMC advancement.
f. A budget proposal and strategic plan for 2026 for our Asia region is in place. g. The Thailand Conference is working with Hmong leaders in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam with conversations about the GMC in those countries. Work with
indigenous church leaders in Cambodia (20 churches) is also ongoing despite the military hostilities and closed border between Thailand and Cambodia. 3) Europe
a. The GMC of Finland is official.
b. The first ever gathering of leaders from the “emerging area” of western Europe will be held in Barcelona in October. Bishop Webb will be doing ordinations for incoming GMC pastors, and several western European areas will be brought online during this event.
c. We are a sponsor for Exponential Europe in Berlin in mid-October. d. A new brochure on how to plant with the GMC is currently in development (a cooperative effort between our team and GMC communications) and will be ready for Exponential Europe in multiple languages.
e. Both Steve and Max will be meeting with GMC leaders in person from various western European countries throughout the month of October.
f. 2026 proposed budget requests and strategic plan are in place.
g. Central Europe Conference is in place (centered in Slovakia). This is intended to further missional expansion in central Europe.
h. Bulgaria Conference currently has 24 local church and approximately 1,250 members. They are developing growth plans.
4) Latin America
a. We will be requesting the designation of the following countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, and Paraguay, as an “emerging area” for Latin America. There is great potential for GMC expansion in these countries.
b. The GMC of Peru is coming online and will hold its first conference in March 2026. Church multiplication and evangelism training is ongoing in Peru. c. Luciano, Max and Bishop Levingston visited the emerging area of Brazil in mid September and met with scores of interested Methodists. Organizational work is ongoing, and we anticipate the formation of a leadership team before the end of 2025.
d. The GMC of Panama continues to see rapid multiplication. From 1 church two years ago to seven in September of 2025, Panama is experiencing some of the most rapid growth in the denomination.
e. 2026 strategic plan and proposed budget request are prepared.
f. A Latin America and Caribbean regional leadership team is in place and functioning.
g. A training plan (in connection with our partnership with Planter’s Field) is currently underway, awaiting approval of the above-mentioned countries as an “emerging area”
h. The GMC Mexico conference is functioning under the episcopal leadership of Bishop Gregory and with assistance from many in the Trinity Conference. Efforts are underway to connect the Mexico leadership with our regional team for Latin America and the Caribbean.
5) North Africa/Middle East/Arabia
a. Max is currently working as interim regional coordinator for this region. In-person meetings with leadership are being held in late September in Senegal. b. The work is ongoing and some of our most compelling stories of church multiplication and evangelism are coming from this area.
c. With the emergence of new work in Egypt, as well as expansion of existing work into areas of north-east Africa, and with the existence of at least one GMC in the Emirates, a major goal for 2026 will be bringing together leaders from the various parts of this region for collaboration and visioning.
d. A preliminary 2026 budget is being developed, and strategic planning work will take place in the last quarter 2025.
6) North America
a. The first gathering of North American conference leaders for church multiplication and evangelism was help in Pittsburgh in early September. An identical follow-up meeting will be held in Charleston, SC November 5-6 for those unable to attend the first one.
b. We have set up a regular meeting schedule (Zoom) for these US leaders to continue to communicate/collaborate, with a once every one to two months gathering and an annual face to face gathering over two to three days.
c. We will likely confirm Zach Kingery, a member of the Upper Midwest Conference, as our KA Regional Coordinator for North America.
d. The GMC is a sponsor of Exponential 2026 in Orlando, FL. We will have a GMC rally as a Pre-conference gathering, a table presence at the event, and a GMC luncheon one of the days during Exponential.
e. In the last quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 one-on-one meetings are being planned between CM&E leadership and each Conference Superintendent to ensure alignment of vision around CM&E and buy-in to our 3% annual growth objective.
7) Oceania
a. Although plans are currently on hold for this area, with few contacts and so much going on in other parts of the world, we do plan to revisit this area in mid-2026, taking advantage of some Wesleyan contacts in the area to consider whether there is an interest in establishing the GMC in this region. Please pray.
8) Russia/Central Asia
a. Bishop Khegay is assigned as the bishop over this area.
b. Conversations have been initiated about assigning a regional coordinator for this area
c. We are also asking Russia/Central Asia for input on possible budget needs in 2026. In process.
Discussion
Biggest challenge is not seeing in North America the same type of traction we see all over the world. Leaders are still thinking arithmetically about growth.
Simon Mafunda: Churches are forming in Namibia, Botswana, and Guinea and will soon graduate to TCAT level. Beginning work is underway in Madagascar. The convening conference of the Nile Valley Conference (Sudan, S. Sudan, Egypt) will take place early 2026. Kenyan GMC is working to plant churches among refugees and a TCAT training will take place there in November. The GMC in Africa is now 19 conferences, 4 provisional conferences, and 3 emerging areas. An area that needs immediate attention is coordination and cooperation between conference superintendents and regional/area coordinators.
Kimba Evariste reports growth in South partnership with One Mission Society to plant 120 village churches in Zambia and South Africa.
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Disaster Response
Third Quarter Report 2025
Submitted by Linda Davis, Disaster Response team leader
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
On September 9 and 10, 2025, 17 GMC Disaster Response Team (“DRT”) members visited Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in North Carolina for a time of learning, fellowship, and observation. The experience highlighted the intentionality, excellence, and Christ-centered witness that undergirds Samaritan’s Purse’s work. Their teams are well-prepared, equipped, and unapologetically focused on being the hands and feet of Jesus, boldly sharing the gospel while meeting practical needs. A unifying takeaway was the clarity of their mission: every member spoke with one voice, demonstrated strong organization, and took pride in fulfilling their God-given assignment. Their approach reinforced the importance of seeing disaster response not just as logistics, but as ministry—a calling led by the Holy Spirit and rooted in sharing Jesus Christ globally.
The visit also raised important questions for the DRT about how we shape our own disaster response ministry. Unlike Samaritan’s Purse, which draws teams from across regions, GMC efforts often remain highly localized, which can limit capacity. Key considerations moving forward include: how we strengthen collaboration at the circuit level, how we balance grassroots passion with resource challenges, and how we develop unified language and messaging across bishops, conference superintendents, and leaders. Most importantly, the team reflected on what unique role God is calling the GMC to play—identifying what we can offer to disaster response in the U.S. and abroad that others cannot. By focusing on our strengths, aligning around a singular vision, and embracing our identity as a Disaster Response Ministry, the GMC can position itself to bring lasting value and a bold witness for Christ in times of crisis.
These reflections naturally lead us to consider some critical questions that we believe will shape the future of GMC’s Disaster Response Ministry. See questions and initial response below:
The Kingdom Advancement Disaster Response Team of the Global Methodist Church (GMC) is committed to empowering, engaging, and equipping churches and conferences to faithfully respond in times of crisis. Rooted in the mission of making disciples and extending the love of Christ, disaster response is both a practical and spiritual calling.
As Scripture reminds us: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). In disaster, the Church demonstrates Christ’s love most powerfully when it comes alongside communities in pain with both spiritual care and practical action.
1. How can we provide a clear consistent message for churches and conferences in GMC regarding disaster response?
Consistency in communication ensures trust, clarity, and unity across the GMC connection. To accomplish this:
• Develop a Standard Messaging Guide: Key language, scripture themes, and core values of disaster response that can be used in all communications.
• Designate Communication Leads: Each conference should appoint a disaster response coordinator to align messaging with the connection.
• Highlight Stories of Hope: Share survivor testimonies, volunteer impact, and local church leadership stories to inspire others.
• Maintain Transparency: Provide regular updates on deployments, finances, and impact to reinforce accountability.
A clear message ensures churches and conferences speak with one voice while serving with many hands.
2. What tools can we offer to churches and conferences to empower, engage and equip them to respond in a disaster or develop mission teams for recovery work?
The GMC can strengthen its disaster response capacity by offering the following tools to local churches and conferences:
• Training & Education: Online and in-person disaster preparedness training, spiritual care workshops, and volunteer certification programs.
• Resource Guides & Templates: Practical materials for church-based disaster planning, including checklists, sample policies, and recovery playbooks.
• Volunteer Mobilization Systems: Centralized databases and deployment structures to organize mission teams quickly and effectively.
• Partnership Networks: Collaboration with Samaritan’s Purse, Faith Responders, On Mission Network, and other trusted partners for expertise, supplies, and shared resources.
• Communication Platforms: Consistent messaging guides, toolkits for church leaders, and coordinated updates during disaster events.
These tools ensure churches are not just responders but also hubs of hope and healing for their communities.
3. What are the essentials of disaster response that we need to be unified in?
For GMC disaster response to remain Christ-centered and mission-driven, the following essentials must be embraced by all churches and conferences:
• Biblical Mandate: Serving in disaster is an act of discipleship, grounded in Christ’s call to love our neighbor.
• Safety & Stewardship: Volunteer safety, survivor dignity, and faithful stewardship of resources are non-negotiable.
• Compassion & Witness: Disaster response must reflect the compassion of Jesus and create opportunities for gospel witness.
• Collaboration & Accountability: Working together across conferences with clear accountability ensures impact and integrity.
These essentials form the foundation of unity, regardless of context or scale of disaster.
4. What are the non-essentials that will allow churches and conferences the freedom to think outside the box and yet still be GMC?
While essentials unite, there are areas where churches and conferences have freedom to “think outside the box” while remaining GMC:
• Methods of Response: Some churches may focus on food distribution, while others emphasize shelter, medical support, or rebuilding.
• Local Partnerships: Freedom to collaborate with local agencies, nonprofits, and community groups that best fit their context.
• Cultural Expression: Each church can incorporate its cultural strengths—worship, hospitality, or community networks—into its disaster ministry.
• Volunteer Models: Flexibility in organizing short-term teams, long-term recovery efforts, or youth/young adult mobilization.
This flexibility ensures that churches can respond authentically while staying aligned with GMC’s mission.
In addition to advancing our strategic plan, we remain actively engaged in deploying teams to disaster-affected areas while extending humanitarian aid to our brothers and sisters across the globe. Recently, we provided $32,029 in humanitarian aid to the Northeast Nigeria Conference in response to severe flooding in Bandawa and $10,000 in food assistance to Banadundu in the Kasongo Lunda Territory.
In the North Carolina Conference, the most urgent need is for campers to provide safe shelter for those impacted in the mountain region by Hurricane Helene. In response, we reached out to our partner, Samaritan’s Purse, who is able to provide the necessary campers. This collaboration is ongoing. These efforts reflect both our long-term vision and our immediate call to serve communities in their time of greatest need.
Conclusion
Disaster response is not an optional ministry of the Global Methodist Church—it is a gospel mandate and an opportunity for Kingdom witness. By providing practical tools, establishing essentials, granting freedom in non-essentials, unifying messaging, and forging key partnerships, the GMC can become a trusted and Spirit-led presence in times of crisis.
Together, churches and conferences will rise as beacons of hope, showing that even in disaster, the Church is alive, present, and proclaiming Christ.
Additional Updates, Questions, Discussion
Mwenge Muyombi reports additional church plants in Tanzania and plans for a church planting seminar there.
Yoonhee Kang reports the Korean American Annual Conference has been working with Linda to support disaster response and relief efforts.
Luciano Pereira da Silva reports that representatives from 10 Latin American countries attended a recent church planting training, a TCAT and a network of churches is being established in Brazil, and connections are growing in Argentina, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala.
Upcoming Meetings
January 8, 2026 ∙ March 14-16, 2026 (In-Person) ∙ July 9, 2026 ∙ October 1, 2026 9am Eastern Time (New York)
Length: Two Hours
Via Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6772364252?pwd=dStIbHdIV3czcHJRSGtHT0E1VUxQUT09
Closing Prayer – Wes Griffin Adjourned at 10:40am ETze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.