The 2:42 Conference: A Hopeful Glimpse into the Emerging (and Ancient) DNA of Global Methodists

From March 16-18, 2026 in Conroe, TX, the Global Methodist Church hosted its third annual 2:42 Conference for young clergy, seminary students, and those exploring a call to vocational ministry. This conference began a few years ago with the vision to help build life-giving connections among younger leaders, while also providing a space for vision casting and learning that helps invite young leaders into the vibrant DNA being formed in the GMC. Once again this gathering proved to be a powerful time in God’s presence!

As our movement grows, investing in emerging leaders continues to be of vital importance. Recent statistics have confirmed that the majority of American denominations are predominantly made up of older generations, and that includes pastoral leadership. While we praise God for the incredible and faithful service of our more seasoned leaders, we also recognize that the future of the church always necessitates raising up new leadership who will take the baton. The GMC seeks to be a movement that multiplies disciples for generations to come, and that means we need deeply-formed young leaders who will continue to invest in the church for decades.

Every year the 2:42 Conference demonstrates that God is continuing to stir in our younger Methodist generations and we are in good hands as we look to the future! If I were to describe the culture that I observe in this gathering of young leaders I would say it this way: They are spiritually hungry, they are deeply passionate, they long for authenticity and relationships, and they are excited to see the Methodist movement recover our early and more primitive DNA. Our youngest leaders and seminary students are not interested in polite church games or politically dominated denominations. They seem to desire the presence and power of God. They want to be connected in deep relationships with one another. And they are energized by the Spirit-filled, gospel-focused, ancient faith of our Methodist ancestors.

During the 2:42 Conference we plan times of teaching and preaching, extended worship and prayer, practical learning in workshops, and lots of opportunities for intentional relationship building. On the first evening session of our gathering this year the planning team decided to have extended worship and prayer, rather than another plenary speaker. Both on that night, and throughout the time, it was so beautiful to see young leaders caught up in worship, seeking the face of God, and delighted to just spend time in his presence.

Bishop Leah Gregory captured this reality so beautifully in a social media post shortly after the event. She said:

At the 242 Conference, surrounded by young adults sensing a call to ministry along with pastors under 35, I encountered something unfamiliar. Or perhaps… something very old. An hour into worship, we were still singing. Still praying. No sermon yet. This Gen X pastor instinctively checked her watch. But when I looked up, I saw something that stopped me cold—hands raised, tears falling, hearts fully open to God. And no one under 40 seemed concerned about the time. They were not operating in chronos—clock time. They were living in kairos—God’s time… That night, the only ones checking watches were those of us trained to manage time. But the younger generation? They were being captured by eternity.

In other poignant moments during the conference young leaders gathered into small groups to meet new friends and respond to questions about how they sensed God meeting them during the sessions. These groups stayed together over the course of the three days. It was so beautiful to see the new relationships that were formed. By the final day, as I walked around the host church, I saw young leaders sharing tears and heartfelt prayers for one another as they prayed over each other before leaving. Some who entered the conference as strangers, left as new friends. In fact, that has been one of the most rewarding parts of this experience for me as someone helping to plan and facilitate the time. After three years I now see young leaders who have become dear friends, likely to support each other in ministry for years to come, and they met for the first time at one of the 2:42 Conferences.

We also continue to hear testimonies of people gaining clarity in their calling to ministry at 2:42. One young woman shared this year during the gathering that last year’s conference was when God called her into ministry. She was a young GMC church member who came out of curiosity, and left with confidence that the Lord had called her into pastoral ministry. Others have shared with me that they were still discerning if the GMC was the right fit for them, but after 2:42 they left with confidence that this was their spiritual home. God continues to bring amazing fruit through this set apart time!

To all who helped invest in this conference, including the host church, planning team, our bishops, annual conference leaders who sent young leaders, and more, thank you! Your investment in this emerging generation of leaders will bear fruit for generations to come. And for those who are unsure about who might be leading the GMC in the coming years… know you are in good hands! God is raising up incredible young leaders who will carry the holy fire of early Methodism for a new day.

Matt Reynolds is the President and Founder of Spirit & Truth, a Wesleyan-minded renewal and equipping ministry working with local congregations around the United States and globally. He is an elder in the GMC from the Allegheny West Annual Conference and leads the planning team for the 2:42 Conference.