Convening Conference day 1: “Let us Go to the Other Side”
“To borrow a quote from John Wesley, ‘I felt my heart strangely warmed.’” This was the sentiment expressed by many to describe the initial gathering of clergy and lay representatives from the over 250 churches of the Eastern Texas Conference. The Convening Conference is the very first meeting of the Eastern Texas Conference, which has churches throughout east Texas and Louisiana. This conference is a time of worship, fellowship, workshopping, visioning, and celebration.
The Conference began with a full crowd gathering in worship at Christ Church, College Station on Thursday evening, February 2. The warmth and hospitality of the host church was appreciated by all, as many of the travelers braved wet and cold and even icy conditions to come to this historic conference. Rev. Kenneth Levingston, Senior Pastor of Jones Memorial Methodist Church in Houston, challenged the conference to imagine what would happen if we told people they still need Jesus. He urged the pastors and laity to answer the call to go out and find those that need the message of the gospel, even if it means leaving the crowd behind.
The service concluded with a powerful time of prayer and anointing, followed by a recognition of pastors who have transferred their credentials to the Global Methodist Church from the United Methodist Church. 120 former clergy were recognized by Bishop Scott Jones, himself a former United Methodist Church Bishop who now serves as Bishop and General Superintendent of the Global Methodist Church. He then led them all through a renewal of their vows of ordination and the conference joined in a standing ovation to welcome all of these leaders into the conference.
The Eastern Texas Conference encompasses over 250 Global Methodist Church congregations served by over 250 clergy throughout east Texas and Louisiana. To find a congregation or to learn more, visit etxgmc.org
The Global Methodist Church is committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly. Our Vision is to join God in a journey of bringing new life, reconciliation, and the presence of Christ to all people, and to helping each person reflect the character of Christ. To learn more about the Global Methodist Church visit globalmethodist.org