“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8   As we begin a new year, many churches set goals, refine calendars, and plan initiatives. But if we are serious about becoming an Annual Conference where Every Church Plants, we must begin at a deeper level. Multiplication does not start with strategies or structures, it starts with spiritual health and spiritual health only comes from being connected to the Vine: Jesus Chri

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NIV We are grateful for all of you who support Women’s Ministry in your local churches and in our wonderful Upper Midwest Conference! H A P P Y   2 0 2 6 We Rejoice! Another year of Women’s Ministry. Another year of growing spiritually. Another year of connecting with women in the Upper Midwest. Another year of serving our Lord. Are you interested in making 2026 your best year yet by fortifying your da

Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.  So, she filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. Genesis 21:19 Last November we hosted the first Conference Mission Trip to South Africa. The time spent with Blessman International was packed with opportunity. Folks across our Conference from Iowa to Montana experienced and participated in ministries of mercy: feeding children and distributing food to outreach stations, caring for orphan infants, working in ey

The Conference Prayer team asks you and the church to make PRAYER your New Year's Resolution 2026. Hence, we offer some prayer points so we can pray together in one heart, mind, and spirit.   Pray for our nation as America celebrates its 250th anniversary; thank God for all the blessings we have received and ask for God's guidance, wisdom, mercy, unity, and restoration. Pray for the leaders of the country, teachers, law enforcement, the National Guard, military personnel, and

Part 1: Prevenient/Preventing Grace I would like to take several of these articles to unpack the Wesleyan understanding of salvation. I am hardly the first person to do this, so this may sound somewhat familiar. I am hoping to put the most important issues right up front and then spend a bit of time highlighting implications that don’t always get raised for those who want to go just a bit deeper. The first stage on the way to salvation from a Wesleyan perspective is Prevenien

As I reflect on this past year, I realize much of it was shaped by a long and unexpected health journey. In January of 2025, I went to the doctor because of a loss of strength and mobility in my right (dominant) shoulder. What began as a diagnosis of a torn labrum eventually led to the realization that I needed a total shoulder replacement. Three months later, I was back in surgery, followed by months of physical therapy to regain strength and movement in my new shoulder. Thr