THE WINDS OF THE SPIRIT!

Debbie and I were in a blessed setting for Friday and Saturday! We attended the first ever Tri-Conference Session of the Harvest, Keystone and Ohio conferences of the Free Methodist Church!  

It was held at the Living Water FMC in Dalton, OH, which accommodated us with amazing hospitality and grace! Their worship team appeared at set times throughout the conference to lead us in meaningful times of experiencing the presence of God! The meals served were wonderful and done with speed and grace!  Host pastor, Mark Hirst, personally greeted each guest as we entered the church; he was also a frequent participant in the sessions.

Bishop Kay Kolde led the conference with assistance from two retired bishops. 

The Free Methodist Church – founded in 1860 – has been ordaining women since 1911. The first female bishop in any Free Methodist General Conference was Rev. Dr. Linda Adams. She was consecrated in 2024, marking a historic milestone in the denomination’s 160-year history.

Bishop Kolde ordained eight ministerial candidates as elders at the conclusion of the conference. Four candidates were male and four were female. Over one hundred elders present were invited to come forward and participate in the ‘laying on of hands’ during these ordinations! It was a visually powerful period!

The purpose of this tri-conference was to address the concerns of the need for greater cooperation and focus between conferences that actually share many common goals and purposes. Discussions have been held with key participants from each area out of a desire to change the momentum of the Free Methodist Church.

Bishop Kolde reminded us that the number of FM churches in America have fallen from 1050 to 825 over the past fifteen years [a decline that is mirrored in most – if not all – Christian denominations in America].  Leaders are consequently considering coordinated changes in emphasis and organization to address and reverse these declines through increased focus, evangelism and discipleship!

The spirit of support for these epic changes was tangible throughout the meetings in spite of the complexities involved in changing leadership structures, financial systems, and territorial alliances. The delegates clearly see the need for radical change in order to see the continuation of John Wesley’s call to “spread Scriptural holiness across the land and to preach the gospel to the poor.”

As a retired pastor in the FMC, it was refreshing to see the youthful surge of leaders and their willingness to cooperate and make concessions in order to see a return of biblical holiness and cultural impact as we move forward!

The conference ended on a totally positive note with an extended prayer time during which MANY went forward to be prayed with by the bishops and superintendents who were present!  No one left early! The presence of God was too captivating and engaging to even consider leaving Living Water’s massive sanctuary!

Bishop Kolde’s messages were challenging as she addressed the tri-conference from two key passages:

·         Isaiah 6 – where Isaiah is caught up in a powerful vision of heaven and responds to the call of God by saying: “Here am I – send me!” [v.8].

·         I Kings 19f – where Elijah is threatened by Queen Jezebel after killing 850 of her prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth.  After fleeing in fear, God ministers to him in unique ways and then sends him to Mt. Horeb – the mountain of God! Once there, Elijah witnesses the presence of God and is reassigned by God to return to ministry!

Debbie and I were proud to experience this influential conference along with our son, Troy, [later joined by his wife, Missy]. Troy was a delegate from Freedom Church in New Middletown, OH [where I served as pastor from 2003-2012].

Although these kinds of gatherings are a huge challenge to me because of my hearing issues, I am so glad we chose to attend and participate. Yes, the frustrations were great, but experiencing the presence of God is so worth the investment! We are refreshed and renewed with hope for the future and will continue to pray for our leaders as they direct us into a fruitful future!