David Donnan

This past September, the Global Methodist Church held its historic Convening General Conference. Reflecting on the event over the past few months, I wanted to document some surprises that stood out to me. These moments captured the spirit of this pivotal gathering and left a lasting impression.

1. Worship That Sounded Heavenly

Watching the worship services during the conference, I was blown away by how incredible the music sounded—even through the livestream. Mixing live worship bands for an online audience is notoriously challenging, yet the result was stunning.

This is a testament to the hard work and talent of the worship team, including Rev. Sterling Allen and Rev. Tesia Lee Mallory. Their efforts helped bring a sense of connection and reverence to all who participated, whether in Costa Rica or tuning in from afar.

2. Outstanding Coverage by Christianity Today

I was pleasantly surprised by the exceptional coverage of the event by Christianity Today. Daniel Silliman’s on-the-ground reporting brought the heart of the conference to life, capturing both its historical significance and joyful spirit.

Silliman’s insights on social media and articles like:

• “It’s Okay to Say We’re Born Again”: Global Methodists Embrace Evangelical Identity
• Global Methodists Find Joy in Costa Rica
• Global Methodist Bishops to Dance

Silliman’s writing highlighted the distinctive ethos of the Global Methodist Church, including its focus on sanctification and renewal. In an age where Methodism often receives less-than-favorable media coverage, it was refreshing to see the vibrancy of our tradition celebrated so widely.

3. Jimmy Towson’s Brief Candidacy as Bishop

A touching surprise was seeing Jimmy Towson briefly considered as a candidate for bishop. Each delegation was asked to present someone as a nominee alongside the existing slate of candidates, and Jimmy’s name was offered.

Jimmy has been a vital leader in the South Georgia Conference of the Global Methodist Church, and I have no doubt he would have made an excellent bishop. True to his humble nature, he graciously withdrew his name early in the process to help streamline the voting. Even so, his brief nomination was a moment of pride for many of us in South Georgia.

4. Missing Out on the Experience

The biggest surprise for me personally was not being able to attend the conference in Costa Rica. My daughter, who was recovering from a broken tibia, had an unfortunate fall just 30 hours before my departure, breaking her femur. While my wife encouraged me to go, I felt it was best to stay home and care for her during such a challenging time.

Although I couldn’t be there in person, I am deeply grateful to our South Georgia delegation. Both clergy and laity represented us with grace and faithfulness, helping to pave the way for a bright future in the Global Methodist Church.

The Convening General Conference was a historic moment for our denomination, full of worship, joy, and vision for the future. Though I watched from afar, I continue to reflect on how these surprises reveal God’s faithfulness and the promise of renewal within our church.

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