As we prepare for the 2026 General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, we have begun the important and sacred work of listening, learning, and praying as we seek to serve Christ and the Global Methodist Church, in humility and the wisdom granted to us by the Holy Spirit. Our task is not a small one. It spans continents, cultures, and languages. The decisions made at the 2026 General Conference will potentially shape our denomination for generations to come. The work we

A mission team from the Upper Midwest will be heading to Limpopo, South Africa, from November 6–18, to serve with Blessman International, a ministry that provides food, health care, and spiritual support to children and families. Please join me in praying for the 15 missionaries going to represent Christ and share His love through both word and action. This trip reminds me of the exciting work happening through our newly forming Conference Missions Team. Ten people have alrea

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”   -Matthew 9:35-38   Traveling t

America is once again shocked, devastated, and in pain by the shootings at a Catholic school, Charlie Kirk, police officers, the deadly stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, 23 years old, on a train, and more cases. It seems America, our culture is broken; so we are broken with feelings of pain, rage, helplessness, and frustration. Lord, have mercy! Turning to God is the most powerful tool in our arsenal. As I seek God's mercy, I sensed that God was making a couple

When I ask this question, many people say fall. With cooler weather, changing colors, football, and pumpkin spice, fall has a lot to offer. Others pause and then respond that their favorite season is pheasant season, which doesn’t come until later in October here in Iowa. But I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say their favorite time of year is charge conference season. And yet, that is exactly the season we are entering in the Upper Midwest Conference. Every church is prep

Last month I shared with you how the task before us is to recover the multiplying DNA of our historic Methodist movement - a movement fueled by a zeal for the Gospel. As we look forward to 2030, a time where it is my hope that we are a Conference where that zeal is actively being rediscovered, I think it is important that we also look back. To be a Conference where Every Church Plants is not a new idea, it is deeply woven into our Wesleyan DNA. Laity Leading as Lead Followers