The First GMC Provisional Annual Conference in the US Holds Inaugural Meeting at Epworth by the Sea!
Worship at Isaiah 43 Conference at Epworth by the Sea.
Hundreds of Methodists from across South Georgia gathered at Epworth by the sea for the first official gathering of the Global Methodist Church in South Georgia. The South Georgia Annual Conference is the first Provisional Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church in the United States.
The very first word to be spoken at this historic meeting was JESUS. The very last word of the day was again the name of Jesus. Throughout the day participants worshipped passionately, loved extravagantly, and witnessed boldly.
The day was shaped around three phases of transition. The first phase is ending – a hard season filled with grief and loss as one discovers what has been is no longer — a time to move on. During this phase, people need healing as they deal with their grief.
The second phase is the journey — from where you have been toward your desired future. This often feels like wandering in the wilderness and can be filled with uncertainty and fear. People in this phase can be frustrated with those who have gone ahead of them and already arrived in the promised land and angry with those who haven’t yet left to join them on the journey. During this phase people need information which gives hope and provides direction.
Eventually, the journey of transition leads to a new beginning. Upon reaching your desired destination, there is an overwhelming sense of joy and peace. Those who have arrived need to be patient and gracious with those who have not yet reached the destination in their journey.
Through the Isaiah 43 Conference, God miraculously filled a large auditorium to overflowing with people at all of these different places on the journey and unified them around one great name, Jesus — the way, the truth and the life.
