From the Pastor’s Desk

Unknown Nations, April 2025

God Came For The Broken, Dirty & Empty-Handed One of our Indigenous Leaders in Pakistan sent us this beautiful testimony. He shared, “This is why we go to places no one else will. There are so many families living in darkness, convinced they are forgotten, believing lies about who they are and who God is.” These are the words of a mother raising her children in the dumps of Pakistan: “For years, I believed this was our destiny, to live in the dump, to sleep on the road. I used to tell my children, ‘God only loves the rich and famous. He only talks to people who have something to give Him not to poor, broken people like us.’ But when you and your team shared the story of Jesus with us, it felt like someone opened a door we never knew existed. We never knew there was a God who loves the poor. A God who came for people like us. A God who doesn’t care if we are broken, dirty or empty-handed. He came for us!” This family was given a Treasure audio Bible after an outreach event. The son, clutching the Treasure to his chest said, “Mama, God talks to us now.” For the first time, they are able to hear God’s voice through the audio player. They shared, “It feels like He is sitting right here with us, speaking life into our hearts.” In just three days after receiving the Treasure, the children stopped asking why they live in the dump. Instead, they ask, “Mama, when will we see Jesus?” The children, who once cried themselves to sleep, have now found joy in Christ! They know God sees them, speaks to them and loves them. The gospel changes everything. It’s not just words; it’s life. It’s a joy. It’s freedom. Let’s go where no one else goes. Let’s bring light where there is darkness. Thank you

 “It feels like He is sitting right here with us, speaking life into our hearts.”

Pastor Dave

Everyone Has a Role in the Global Methodist Church

The Global Methodist Church emphasizes lay empowerment through its "Lay Equipping Movement," which aims to develop and utilize the gifts of all church members in ministry.

One of the most refreshing and distinctive aspects of the Global Methodist Church is its strong commitment to **lay empowerment**. In a world where leadership often feels top-down or reserved for a select few, the GMC takes a different approach—one deeply rooted in the earliest days of the church and the Wesleyan tradition: every believer has a role to play.

From the beginning, Methodism was a movement of the people. John Wesley believed in equipping ordinary men and women to preach, teach, and lead. That spirit lives on in the Global Methodist Church today. It’s not just clergy who shape the life of the church—laypeople are called, equipped, and encouraged to step into meaningful leadership, both within the church walls and beyond them.

In the GMC, you’ll find laypeople leading small groups, starting home churches, coordinating outreach efforts, serving on church boards, offering pastoral care, and even preaching in some settings. This isn’t just practical—it’s biblical. The early church, as described in Acts, was a body where gifts were shared and ministries multiplied. That same model guides the GMC’s vision today.

Restoring What Was Lost

In the earliest centuries of the Christian movement, churches often met in homes, and leadership was shared among elders, deacons, and spiritually mature believers—both men and women. But as Christianity became increasingly linked with state power, church structures began to shift. The line between clergy and laity became more rigid, and spiritual leadership was often reserved for a professional, educated class. Ordinary believers were gradually moved to the sidelines.

Over time, this created a deep divide between those seen as “leaders” and those who simply “attended.” Participation gave way to passivity. But the New Testament never describes the church as a stage with an audience—it describes a **body**, where every member has a gift, and every gift is needed.

The Global Methodist Church seeks to recover that original vision—not just as a return to the past, but as a model for the future.

You Matter Here

What does this mean for the average church member? It means **you matter**. Your voice, your gifts, and your calling are needed—not just to fill a spot on a committee, but to help shape the mission and future of the church. Whether you're passionate about hospitality, teaching, prayer, justice, music, administration, or mentoring young people, there is space for you to serve and grow.

In the Global Methodist Church, leadership is not a status—it’s a shared responsibility and a sacred trust. By empowering laypeople, the church becomes more flexible, more faithful, and more reflective of the diverse body of Christ.

So if you’ve ever felt like church leadership was for someone else—someone more trained, more titled, or more “qualified”—the GMC wants you to hear something clearly: **You are needed. You are called. You belong.

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Expanding Our Reach:

Church Planting Opportunities

at the Annual Conference Session

As we continue our mission to grow and multiply God's Kingdom throughout the Great Lakes region, we're excited to share several upcoming opportunities for those interested in church planting and multiplication, particularly those attending the annual conference session in June. Building on the foundation laid at our previous events, these training sessions and networking opportunities are designed to equip you with the tools and connections needed for effective ministry.

If you cannot attend the conference but would like to serve as part of our 55-hour prayer initiative, you can still participate in our virtual vigil that will be happening as well. Our hope is that we have continual prayer coverage throughout this event.

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Pastor Mary & Ivan Ivanov have invited any who would like to attend the Graduation Party for Luka on Saturday, June 7th at Lake Harbor United Methodist Church from 10am – 2pm in Muskegon.