of our part series 8
One of the five dreams of our annual conference is the dream of revitalized faith communities and lighthouse churches.
Since 2016, our conference has been asking local churches to focus on discipleship systems and methods of community outreach which helps all of us make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We have also shared many of the See All the People resources, produced by the denomination. In addition, we curate discipleship resources at our website.
In 2018, we devoted an entire day of our conference session
focused on this goal. Rev. Junius Dotson, then General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries, was our keynote speaker and there were workshops based on church size as well as topics of interest.
This year, we will host Rev. Jeff Campbell, Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries, as our conference teacher, who will focus his teaching on “See All the People: 2.0.”
The new iteration of this movement includes a wave of resourcing supporting the laity of our churches. Rev. Campbell will be sharing short stories of disciples living out their faith in various workplaces; each sharing how they understand discipleship and God’s call on their lives in their everyday work.
In addition, he will help us think about how our role as a leader in the church can be lived out by seeing ALL the people. In every church and ministry area, we must
how our individual contributions connect to disciple making.
Campbell comes to this role having led Discipleship Ministries as the Associate General Secretary for Strategic Programming where he was instrumental in the creation of resources supporting the See All the People initiative which invites leaders to stop trying to fix their church and start seeing the people that God calls us to reach.
Rev. Campbell joined Discipleship Ministries in 2013 as Executive Director of Conference Relationships and before that, he served local churches as a senior pastor. He has a BA in English,
Linguistics, and Speech form the University of Mary Washington, and his Master of Divinity from Drew Theology School, where he was awarded the Alton Raynor Prize for Town & Country Ministry.
Rev. Campbell is a servant leader, speaker, teacher, and ordained elder of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. Campbell teaches Intentional Discipleship Systems and Community Engagement in seminaries, annual conferences, districts, and local churches, challenging United Methodist leaders to make the mission of making disciples and transforming
communities the center of all that we do.
He and his family participate in the life and ministries of Glendale United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN.
Discipleship Ministries will also have a booth filled with resources in our display area on the second floor of the Freede Center.
For decades, a movement has been quietly but powerfully shaping the landscape of youth ministry and community service across Oklahoma.
Youth Force, organized through Volunteers in Mission and a ministry of the Oklahoma Conference, stands as a beacon of hope and action being built upon the example of a younger generation. With two unique and vital locations in 2024, Oklahoma City and Frederick, OK, Youth Force is not just an organization; it’s a community bound by the shared purpose of making a difference.
This year Youth Force will operate out of two unique locations in Oklahoma, each with its charm and challenges. In the bustling environment of Oklahoma City, KC Curry, along with Revs. Elizabeth Horton-Ware and Aly Shahan, take the helm as site directors, guiding youth through transformative community service projects.
Horton-Ware, who first joined Youth Force as a high school participant in 1997, reflected on the profound impact the organization has had on her life, “Youth Force
didn’t just give me an opportunity to serve Oklahoma communities, it built up my leadership abilities and instilled a sense of purpose to care for God’s children in tangible ways.”
On the other hand, Frederick offers a contrasting backdrop of serene landscapes and tight-knit community vibes.
Here, Ann Clayton, who has been a part of Youth Force since the early 1990s, serves as the site director. Under her guidance, participants engage in various projects, from home repairs for the elderly and disadvantaged to community beautification efforts. Clayton shared that Frederick knows when Youth Force is in town. The week is seen and celebrated by the whole
town.
The Power of Volunteerism and Community
At the core of Youth Force’s work is the belief in the transformative power of serving others. Both the Oklahoma City and Frederick locations thrive on the energy and commitment of youth and adult leaders - many of whom, like Horton-Ware, were once participants themselves - who mentor and coach students through a variety of projects. This cycle of giving back creates a powerful sense of continuity and community.
The impact of Youth Force extends beyond the immediate benefits of the projects completed. Participants leave with a deeper
understanding of social issues, a heightened sense of empathy, and a strengthened resolve to contribute positively to their communities.
The sense of accomplishment and camaraderie among the various youth groups from Oklahoma United Methodist Churches fosters an environment where young people can find their voice and purpose.
The momentum of Youth Force has been impacted in recent years, but both sites look forward to continued growth. Registration is now open for sites in Oklahoma City and Frederick. These weeks of service are perfect for smaller youth groups, who can join with dozens of their peers from across the state to see the difference they can make in a community.
Each youth group needs to have committed adults join them for the week. The service teams are made up of participants from the various youth groups attending. No expertise is needed, just a willingness to learn and care for those who are served. Beyond bringing a youth group to serve in mission for the week, congregations can participate in the outreach of Youth Force by providing meals for the mission sites, donations for materials, or helping to cover the financial cost for the youth.
Clayton and Horton-Ware, along with their teams, are optimistic about the future. “Every year, we see new faces, and each one has the potential to change the world. Our job is to help them realize that potential,” said Horton-Ware.
Youth Force exemplifies what it means to serve with purpose and passion. Its enduring legacy is
not just in the projects completed, but in the lives touched and the leaders molded for tomorrow. As Youth Force marches on, it carries with it the hopes and dreams of a generation ready to make a difference.
Youth Force Frederick is June 2 to 7. The cost per person is $225. Participants are housed at Frederick First UMC. Registration is limited to 80 participants.
Youth Force Oklahoma City is July 21 to 26. The cost per person is $310. Participants are housed in the dorms at Oklahoma City University. Registration for both weeks can be found on the Youth Force website.
Youth Force volunteers built a wheelchair ramp in Frederick in 2023. Photo by Ann Clayton.
After tough years of dealing with disease and departures, United Methodists are about to gather for a General Conference that will chart the denomination’s future.
More than 1,000 legislative petitions aiming to shape that future will be before the lay and clergy delegates when they meet for the denomination’s COVIDdelayed policymaking assembly on April 23 to May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The theme for the international gathering, which draws delegates and other church leaders from four continents, will be “…and know that I am God” from Psalm 46.
“We find ourselves at a seminal moment in the life of this denomination. It’s a marker point, a shift, a pivot from what was to what can be,” Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton told delegates and other observers.
The bishop, who also leads the New York Conference, spoke at the end of the Feb. 29 to March 1 online orientation co-hosted by United Methodist Communications and the Rev. Gary Graves, General Conference secretary.
At the briefing, Bickerton and other speakers addressed United Methodists still feeling the impact
of the COVID pandemic and church disaffiliations.
Bickerton said the church can only move forward.
“Personally, I don’t want to go back to mediocrity and old habits,” said the bishop, who attended his first General Conference in 1984. “I don’t want to go back to racist behaviors, gender bias or models that exclude rather than welcome. This is a moment for us to get a new wind and a new sense of purpose.”
During the orientation, which was also recorded, viewers received an overview of the logistics of General Conference as well as legislation up for the delegates’ votes.
Note:
The above article is an excerpt
from a much longer article that gives an in-depth look into regionalization legislation, Revised Social Principles, budget and disaffiliation concerns, and much, much more.
To read this article in its entirety, click here
To read more on major legislative topics, click here for a comprehensive guide.
The Advance Daily Christian Advocate, which serves as a combination of a pre-conference workbook plus delegate handbook and more, is available here.
Everyone knows the obvious benefits of a connectional system like that in the United Methodist Church. Clergy and congregations are not alone: they can pool and share resources like employment benefits, camps, and disaster relief.
United Methodist clergy connect through mentorship, training, and more. Apportionments ensure that all areas of ministry are supported.
The connectional system ensures churches and pastors are well-matched, and that the needs of everyone are met in the most beneficial way possible.
Congregations are able to come together for conferences, events, retreats, and more.
What you may not be aware of are the many additional benefits that come with the United Methodist connection. We’ve found a few to share.
Car Rental Discounts
United Methodist churches are offered rental car discounts through Avis and Budget rental car plans. This discount allows for both business and leisure rentals. Learn
Awards, Scholarships, and Grants
Grant funding is available through the United Methodist Foundation, the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation, the Woodworth Trust, and several other entities.
Scholarships for college and seminary students are also available through multiple sources. Learn more here
Safety Resources
For families and church congregations alike, safety is a major priority in the United Methodist Church. From keeping children safe in the digital world to Safe Sanctuaries and church van use, click here for useful resources.
Church Marketing Resources
United Methodist
Communications employs a staff dedicated to creating relevant, useful tools for local churches to
use to promote awareness and share the good news of the church. For #BeUMC resources - and moreclick here
Outreach and Social Media Resources
Outreach.com partners with United Methodist Communications to bring discounted resources to your church. Additionally, UM Communications creates free shareable social media resources your church should be using today. Learn more here.
Podcasts and Webinars
From Pastoring in the Digital Age to MyCom, United Methodist podcasts bring resources to you in
your current context. Check them out here.
Webinars offer training on a variety of topics. The current focus is on digital marketing, with offerings on email marketing, social media, and YouTube. Find more here.
A necessary tool for every church is a website. UM Communications provides services to help churches get their website up and running, and will also offer training so staff or volunteers can maintain the website and keep it fresh. Learn more here.
Find a Church is a free resource that every church, whether it has a fabulous website or no website at all, should take advantage of.
UM Communications uses its vast resources and SEO savvy to ensure web search results find this sweet spot in every corner of the world.
Church representatives will create a login and then fill in all the blanks to ensure the word is out about the church. Find out more here.
This bi-weekly newsletter from ResourceUMC offers timely
content to clergy and laity. Current offerings Many of the resources described in this article can be found via this newsletter. Subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing.
Conference staff and family members have traditionally had access to Oklahoma Federal Credit Union. Now members of churches can also join. For more information, click here.
Life at Epworth Villa is all about freedom. Freedom from home maintenance and chores. Freedom from having to drive all over town. Freedom from worrying about future needs. And when you’re free to live your best life, it’s amazing the joy that each day brings. Experience the freedom you deserve and check out our spacious cottages and beautiful apartments at EpworthVilla.org.
The eclipse brought the inner dork - er, creative genius - in a few of our favorite grown-up kids. Rev. Michael Robnett (LEFT), at Bartlesville First UMC and Ed Parker, Camps director, at the ministry center in OKC, dressed to impress during the moon’s big day.
The children at First UMC in Cushing celebrated Easter Sunday by playing The Hallelujah Chorus on the bells. Submitted photo.
Bishop Nunn visited Grace UMC in Claremore on April 7. After giving the message, the Bishop gathered with members to put hands on the trailer and consecrate the Giving With Grace mobile food pantry. Submitted photo.
Ceili Community celebrated Easter this year with five baptisms and 12 confirmations! They adapted baptism to each child based on ability and preference. This makes nine people baptized into the Church at Ceili Community in 2024. God is at work in Southwest Oklahoma City, and in the United Methodist Church! Photos by Kara Lemak.
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