Global Methodist Voices: Stories From North Georgia

Pierce Memorial Methodist Church in Sparta, GA has an amazing leader in Skye Gess! As the Solicitor General of Baldwin County, GA, she has the opportunity to do ministry daily within her work, and then she helps see how the Kingdom of God can advance at her local church. Working with Young Adults, Youth, Women's Ministry, Wednesday Fellowship Dinners, and so much more, there is a passion at Pierce Memorial to engage the community and spur one another in love! AND Skye even saw how God could work as churches came together in Charge Conference! In the area? We hope you see Skye at Pierce Memorial and all that they are doing in the community.To Learn more about Pierce Memorial Methodist, head over to http://www.piercememorialmc.com/ .

Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? You might have sung this before and meant it, but this song mattered to Jay Allred at the first North Georgia Annual Conference. As a member of Wesley Methodist in LaGrange, an engaged volunteer, a delegate to General Conferences, and more, Jay has lived out the call to be a member of the local church and get involved with the ministry that Jesus has led him into. Hear how that calling might have changed for the future season, how District/Connectional Lay Leaders are engaged in the church, and more. Head over to https://ngagmc.org/missions/ to learn more about the Engage Conference coming in 2026!

At the beginning of 2025, Brandon Brown heard his Pastor, Fletcher Law of Homer Methodist Church preach about Bands. Bands are Wesleyan groups of gathered believers that meet to grow in their holiness, accountability, and love for one another in a very small group. Well, Brandon took this seriously and immediately prayed and started a Band. Now, just a few months later, there is already growth in the Bands. They are beginning multiple bands of discipleship and helping each other become the followers of Jesus that they are called to be, together. Take a listen to hear about doing it when you aren't quite sure you know how to do it, that starting is probably one of the hardest parts, and that God is working in the lives of the people involved with the bands in Homer. To support Awakening Collegiate Fellowship, head to https://awakeningnorthgeorgia.org/ or https://www.awakeningmilledgeville.org/home to find out more about programs at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega or Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville!

When Mt. Gilead Methodist Church called Canton First Methodist Church about a partnership, no one could have known what God was going to do. Through the collaborative work of Rev. Dean Osuch, and the rest of the teams of the two churches, there is new life, transformations within the community, and people coming to know Jesus! Hear as Dean shares his excitement for evangelism and outrerach, the faithfulness of the believers that were at Mt. Gilead to say "Thy Kingdom Come", and the ways that the churches can now come together around Mission!Head over to https://www.mgmethodist.com/ to learn more about Mt. Gilead Methodist Church!

A passion to share the Gospel with Children, empower families to disciple their kids, and intentionally multi-generational spaces in the church are just some of the things that overflow from DeDe Reilly. She has been in ministry to children and their families for years, and she cares so much for the Gospel getting into places. Hear how Macland Community Church in Powder Springs, GA has transformed their worship experience to include all ages, schedule intentional programs focused on "what's in their hands", and has empowered all ages to be leaders within their fellowship of believers. DeDe also has an incredibly timely blog that you should check out at https://dede-bull-reilly.com/

Covenant Methodist Church in Smyrna, GA is in the midst of a pastoral transition. Founding pastor, Rev. David Moore is stepping into a new season, and Rev. Pedro Silva is stepping in to lead the church in this season! Hear how Pedro is stepping into this time with intentionality and a Biblical view so that the ministry of the church can continue into the future! God is at work at Covenant and we are celebrating this season of finishing for Rev. Moore, and this new season of Ministry. Ready to find a church in the North Georgia GMC? Head over to https://ngagmc.org/find-a-church/

Afrika Mashariki - A newly forming Global Methodist Church Conference in Kenya and surrounding countries in East Africa had a gathering this week in preparation for a Convening Conference in February! We discuss Conference growth over the 2 days of their gathering, the passionate and serious nature of worship, the realities of churches that were visited, and more. It was great to get to record across the 7-hour time gap and over 8,000 miles away! Rev. Joseph and Pauline have such a heart to seek God, empower believers to go, and celebrate all that God is doing in Kenya and beyond!Be in prayer for the Afrika Mashariki Conference, the people of Kenya, and the surrounding countries as they begin in this new season of ministry in the GMC.

After seeing the culture of a community, Josh Williams, Youth Pastor at Thomson First Methodist, thought it would be a good idea to bring together the youth of the community for the purpose of worship. Working with other Youth Directors and Pastors, multiple area churches from different denominations created an event that is already seeing changes in the community. Youth have come to faith. Churches are working together rather than in competition. And there are students actively striving to be the "Light" in their worlds as they go through the week!Conference-Wide Confirmation Retreat/Wesley Weekend is March 20-22, 2026! Keep an eye out for registration and more information coming soon!Please Follow for future episodes of the Global Methodist Voices!

16 years into vocational ministry, Rev. David Laycock, was looking at ways to change jobs, leave vocational ministry. After Accidentally making 1 disciple in that time period, David found a groupo that spent the intentional time making him into a Disciple. Now, after 5 years of intentional Disciple-Making, Macedonia Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, has been transformed into a hub of true Disciple-Making in Alpharetta, Georgia. Hear about how God has used this time to have "intentional, reproducing, disciples of Jesus" as a focus of empowering and equipping leaders into their calling and their spaces both within the church, but also deployed into the Kingdom of God that is present in their community, and beginning to spread across the country! To learn more about Macedonia Church, head to https://macedoniagmc.com/. To learn more about the Disciple-Making training that David references, head to https://narrowgateefl.com/.Be sure to like and Follow to hear more about what God is doing through the GMC in North Georgia and Beyond!

We love talking money in church... well, at least we should! Jesus had quite a bit to say about money! This week, we sit down with Conference Treasurer, Rev. Tom Mosley, to discuss the Annual Conference Financials, some of the mindset behind Connectional Funding, and a bit of an update as to where we are! We also talk about the generosity of God, the joy in being a part of the connection, and the incredible favor that God has poured out on the North Georgia Global Methodists! There is definitely some information, but even more inspiration!Interested in giving to the Nigeria Initiatives for churches (medical) or for individuals (educational), head over to https://ngagmc.org/give/!You can also find out information on Connectional Giving, how to pay, and how to reach out through the Conference Website, as well! Be sure to Follow and Like this episode to hear about future episodes!

"God take my frustration" is not a normal start ot a church planting story, but for Whit Martin, Founding Pastor of Asbury Chapel in Gainesville, GA, it is the place where God could meet him to do what only God could do. Now, 2 and a half years into ministry at Asbury Chapel, God is doing incredible things. From hearts that desire to know the Word of God deeply and fully through Bible Studies, generosity as an act and integral part of worship, and so much Joy, what has begun in a restored and repurposed funeral home, is amazing to see! Check out Asbury Chapel at https://asburychapel.net/.To support the Awakening Collegiate Fellowship or learn more, head to:University of North Georgia: awakeningnorthgeorgia.org/Georgia College and State University: www.awakeningmilledgeville.org/Be sure to follow for future episodes!

Only in the last few years has The Way in Woodstock been a church, but it's historic location to an area thriving with life has made a way for God to use this body incredibly! Rev. Andy Rogers was part of the initial merger of 2 churches in the Woodstock area, now known as The Way which has made some huge changes in under 10 years that are focused on the Kingdom of God. Hear about how they work eccumenically with other local churches, the heart to not out-run God and His timing, and the opportunity to be a light in the heart of Woodstock! Also, if you are not yet in a church that is part of the GMC, but are discerning, take a listen to the end of this episode for how The Way was intentional in joining the Global Methodist Movement!Head over to https://www.thewaywoodstock.com/ to see what is happening at The Way!Please Share and Follow so that others will hear and you will know of future Episodes!!

God is doing things in North Georgia and to the ends of the Earth through the Global Methodists in North Georgia. If this is your first episode, I hope you will point back to the stories directly with each of our previous guests. This is a quick snapshot of each of our past episodes. It has been a joy to record these, and hear the stories first, and we hope that you have seen the goodness of God through our guests so far!Make sure to head back to any episodes you have missed, and be sure to subscribe to hear about future episodes!!

After 21 years of church planting in Evans, GA, outside of Augusta, Bishop Carolyn Moore now serves all over the globe as Bishop to at least 6 Conferences of Global Methodists! She is such a Spirit-filled, passionate leader who loves seeing God in the World! While she is not the Bishop to North Georgia, she is sent out of North Georgia to go where God leads to celebrate what is happening with Methodists all over World. Hear about the pastoral transition at the church she planted, miracles of Bibles getting into the hands of Ugandan Global Methodists, Church planting in the Western States of the US, the forming Indian conference and the believers from Nepal, as well as the passion for the Gospel through the Covenant Philippines' "missions"!Bishop Moore also has an amazing Podcast called "The Art of Holiness" that can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other Podcast streaming services! Be sure to like and follow to hear about future Episodes of Globalk Methodist Voices!

Ok, so it's not just the chips that are changing lives, but Jesus in the places of recovery that is changing lives. Recovery Chickamauga, based out of Elizabeth Lee Methodist Church's outreach center of Matthew's House, has changed lives in Chickamauga and beyond. Rev. Zach Fitzpatrick joins to tell his story of recovery, how recovery has helped commuicate the gospel, awaken the church's heart to their neighbors, and create wonderful encounters to celebrate and to walk through hard spaces together! 1-day Chips to 40-year Chips have been passed out at Recovery Chickamauga. Listen to this 12-step program that has transformed lives!Near Chickamauga and looking for a recovery community? Head over on Mondays at 6:30pm for dinner, worship, and small group time. Want more information? Head to https://www.recoverychickamauga.com/main/Please follow and share the Global Methodist Voices Podcast for Future Episodes!

The Emerging Generation of Global Methodists in North Georgia is off to a strong start. From the campus ministries of the Awakening Collegiate Fellowship, to the work of Wesley Weekend in the spring, the hope for the leaders of the next generation is high. These aren't just the leaders of the future, but how they lead in worship, serve in churches, share the Gospel, and so much more is an inspiration to all who witness it. Hear how the Wesley Weekend 2025 (a middle school retreat), and more, is establishing and growing in North Georgia from the Chair or the Emerging Generations team for our conference, Matt Abel. Be sure to watch social media, read the newsletters, or check the conference website for updates on the future workings of the Emerging Generations team!Thanks for commenting, and Following to the Global Methodist Voices: Stories from North Georgia Podcast!!

The work of the Holy Spirit is evident in the life of Sawnee Ridge Church in Cumming, GA. Steve Lazzara, Chairman of the Boar,d tells us how Sawnee Ridge got started as a new church plant, where they have seen God at work in the life of the church, and how there are things that have happened that could not have been asked for or even imagined. The people who showed up that the church was not expecting, the location that they have, and so much more have been a testament to God's goodness to them. To check out Sawnee Ridge Church, head over to https://sawneeridge.org/!Be sure to like, share, and follow to the Global Methodist Voices: Stories from North Georgia Podcast.

Driving a car is almost a requirement in North Georgia, but car maintenance and upkeep, and even acquisition, can be a barrier to meeting the needs of your family, holding a job, and so much more. David McCoy and the team at Matthew 25:40 Car Care Ministry in Powder Springs have been serving their community for nearly 2 decades, from minor repairs to anything that can get done in a day! The "Car Care Angels" provide the hospitality, respite, and the gospel to those who are having the repairs completed on their car. This ministry is in the process of building it's new home and getting back to full steam as they love and serve their community, 1 vehicle at a time. To learn more or to give to this ministry, head over to https://www.carcare2540.org/ or check out their Facebook Page!Be sure to Follow the Podcast to learn about future episodes!

Just past where the pro golfers can drive at Augusta National sits the small town of Lincolnton, GA where the Holy Spirit is moving in a traditional Global Methodist Church! God has prepared the property, the members, and the visitors alike to come together and transform a community. See how a pastor's attendance at a high school football game, a hurricane response, and faithfulness to the calling on the community is changing the landscape in Lincolnton for the sake of the kingdom of God! You want to hear about how this Iowa transplant pastor is seeing God move in his midst!Be sure to subscribe and follow the podcast so you are notified about future episodes, and we hope you are inspired to look for where God is working in your community!

The Great Commission, the one from Matthew 28, is often as part of our vocabulary as John 3:16, but pastor David Sanders at Bethel Methodist Church in Dawsonville, GA had to reevaluate his ministry several years back when he realized that he had never really been a disciple. And since he hadn't really been a disciple, making disciples was even more difficult. Hear how a journey with a group called Narrow Gate from North Georgia has transformed his ministry, and the community through intentional discipleship. It is the long game, the thing that takes years of time and develiopment, but where he has seen so much growth personally, and in the lives of those in his community. Be sure to follow and like the podcast for all of the future Episodes that come out as we share how God is alive and at work in the live of those in North Georgia and to the ends of the earth!

To be a truly global church is not just aspirational, but a reality within the Global Methodist Church. Bishop John Pena Auta, raised in a small Nigerian village now travels the globe to serve 6 Annual Conference, with more potentially on the way. Hear how Bishop Auta experienced Christ for the first time, the call to ministry, the realities within the current Nigerian church, and what he was looking forward to most at his first full Annual Conference in the United States! It was such a blessing to sit down with Bishop Auta for this week's episode just before North Georgia Global Methodist Church's 2025 Annual Conference. To hear more of the Global Methodist Voices: Stories from North Georgia, be sure to follow the podcast!

Annual Conference 2025 was an incredible time of worship, holy conferencing, and connection for Clergy and Laity alike. Hear from a wide variety of folks from across the conference as we went to the streets of Annual Conference at First Methodist Church of Greensboro - Lake Oconee Campus. Our audio is not as great this time, but the excitement, joy, and love that flows should be apparent that this was a blessed gathering. We want to extend a huge thank you to the host church of First Methodist Church of Greensboro, the Annual Conference Committee, and the town of Greensboro for being incredible hosts of this event! It was worship over business, and business as worship!

Essential to the life of Jesus, and now the life of believers is prayer. Communion with God through intentional time with God is critical to a relationship with God. It is also a way that has united the North Georgia Prayer Committee, led by Rev. John Moore and joined by Bethany Ross. Hear about the passion of prayer in the formation of the North Georgia Conference, the excitement to join in prayer with others around the globe, and so much more. To submit a prayer request, head over to https://ngagmc.org/prayer/!

"The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” - Matthew 9:37b-38 Well, Jeff Jernigan read that and took it seriously in 2010 when there was an opportunity to go and see what God was doing, and how there could be a holistic view of the Gospel that could be shared in one of the fastest growing, harvest-ready areas in the world. Persecution is always present. The economy is not great. Infrastructure is still way behind. And yet God is showing up in new and powerful ways all the time in the GMC Conferences in Nigeria! To give, head over to https://ngagmc.org/give/ and take a look at the options to give to the work in Nigeria! If you want to go, reach out on the Missions page on the conference website. But definitely pray for the people and the work happening in Nigeria.

Could the next Great Awakening be happening? Well, there are 2 passionate College Campus Pastors who are seeing the transformed lives of students on college campuses here in North Georgia! Nathan Dickens at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega and Tate Welling at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville are seeing an awakening through Awakening Campus Ministries! This pan-Wesleyan campus ministry is focused on discipleship, community, and scriptural holiness on college campuses as students walk through some of the hardest and most pressing choices that they have made up to this point in their lives. Hear how they tackle the challenges that arise on the campuses and how they get to walk through the college journey with students!Want to support the Awakening Campus Ministries? University of North Georgia - Head HereGeorgia College & State University - Head Here Be sure to follow the podcast for future episodes to hear how God is at work in North Georgia and to the ends of the Earth through the Global Methodist Church!

Worship Over Business! Prayer before everything! A Holy Spirit discerned location! North Georgia Global Methodist Church Annual Conference 2025 is set to be incredible with a focus on the local church, worship, development, connection, and so much more, thanks to Annual Conference Chair Tina Kirkland! Take a listen and let us know what you are looking forward to at this year's Annual Conference? Who would have thought that there could be a "business meeting" that you actually wanted to invite others to be a part of?!? If you haven't already, register at https://ngagmc.org/!!Be sure to subscribe and hit the notifications for new episodes of the Podcast Each Week!

Global Methodist Voices: Stories from North Georgia is a NEW THING and exciting in this season! We believe that God is at work in the life of the Global Methodist Church in North Georgia and to the ends of the Earth! Hear from our Conference Superintendent, Rev. Andy Postell as he shares some vision for this Podcast, some hopes and expectations for Annual and General Conference gatherings, and hopes and prayers for the Annual Conference in this season!How are you seeing God at work in this season? Is God doing something new in your life, or in the life of your church? Leave us a comment and let us know!!