Day Four: Sent Forth to Finish the Task
By Rev. Dr. David Wesley Donnan
Communications Director, South Georgia Conference of the Global Methodist Church
The final day of the South Georgia Annual Conference brought together worship, business, testimony, and Holy Communion before sending clergy and laity back to their local churches with a renewed commitment to Finish the Task.
A Morning of Fellowship and Leadership
The day began with Certified Lay Ministers gathering for breakfast with the Board of Ordained Ministry. The annual gathering served as an opportunity for fellowship, encouragement, and a yearly check-in as these lay leaders continue serving churches across the conference.
The conference then moved into its final business session.
Several significant reports were presented throughout the morning, but one recurring theme was gratitude for faithful leadership.
The conference recognized Debbie Hudgens, Rev. Rich Wardell, and Rev. Jim Cowart as they concluded their service on the Connectional Council, the conference’s highest leadership body made up of clergy and laity. Their years of faithful leadership were celebrated with appreciation from the conference.
The conference also paused to honor Bishop Leah Hidde-Gregory. While the upcoming Global Methodist Church General Conference in late August and early September will determine future episcopal assignments, it is possible this could have been Bishop Gregory’s final South Georgia Annual Conference as our bishop.
Conference members expressed their gratitude with a standing ovation.
Bishop Gregory has been part of the South Georgia Conference since its very beginning. Even before becoming our bishop, she joined us at our inaugural Annual Conference in 2023, where she offered encouragement and vision as the conference entered a new season in the Global Methodist Church.
Her leadership has been a tremendous blessing to South Georgia and to the wider Methodist movement.
Looking Toward General Conference
The South Georgia delegation then shared an update on preparations for the Global Methodist Church’s General Conference.
Members of the delegation were recognized before discussing what delegates expect during the gathering later this summer.
One especially meaningful announcement centered on the election of bishops.
For the first time since 2012, South Georgia Methodists will have one of its own considered for the office of bishop. Rev. Isaac Delgado, senior pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Waycross, will stand for possible election.
At the conclusion of the report, Rev. Isaac Delgado and his wife, Patty, were invited forward along with Bishop Gregory. The conference joined together in prayer, asking God to guide the upcoming episcopal election and bless those who will discern this important calling.
Rev. Dr. David Wesley Donnan led the prayer as members of the delegation gathered around them, laying hands on the candidates.
Reports That Tell the Story of Ministry
The conference also received several important ministry reports.
Rev. Brett Maddocks of Pine Forest Methodist Church presented the conference financial report, connecting the conference budget directly to the mission of making disciples. He reminded the conference that generosity is inspired by God’s work rather than simply required by obligation.
Rev. Scott Tucker of Good Shepherd Methodist Church in Savannah presented the report of the Board of Ordained Ministry.
Dean of the Cabinet Rev. Jimmy Towson delivered the Cabinet Report, sharing that the South Georgia Conference now consists of 193 churches served by 193 pastors. He also celebrated the addition of three new churches that have joined the conference during the past year.
Members from Akin Memorial Methodist and their pastor Rev. Walt Pelton were recognized as one of the newest churches to join our connection.
Conference Lay Leader Larry Moss reminded the body that clergy and laity continue to serve together with equal representation throughout Methodist leadership. He also noted that only about half of the Global Methodist Church’s annual conferences currently have a Conference Lay Leader and discussed proposed legislation that would require every annual conference to have one.
Rev. Isaac Delgado also shared an update on the conference’s growing partnership with Methodist churches in Mexico. He highlighted the ministry of Rev. David Almanza and encouraged churches to learn more about the partnership through the conference website.
Conference Superintendent Rev. Jay Hanson announced that more than $6,000 had been received during the previous evening’s ordination offering. Those funds will help support mission work connected to the upcoming Global Methodist Church gathering in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Each report passed unanimously.
Several conference members noted that Thursday’s extended time of holy conferencing allowed delegates to ask questions, understand proposals, and enter Friday’s business session well prepared to vote.
Bishop Leah also fixed and blessed the appointments at the conclusion of the business session
A Conference That Put God First
Following the business session, Phyllis Smith of Glennville Methodist Church reflected on her experience as a lay delegate.
She appreciated receiving information ahead of time, saying the extended discussion gave delegates time to thoughtfully consider each proposal instead of feeling rushed.
More importantly, she shared that she would leave Annual Conference feeling spiritually revived.
Smith also remarked that she loved how this conference consistently put God first and wished members from every local church could experience Annual Conference for themselves.
Worship, Testimony, and Holy Communion
The closing worship service opened with Rev. Jake Webster, pastor of College Place Methodist Church, leading the congregation into worship.
Kenji Bolden Jackson from Valdosta First Methodist and Kathryn Wesbter from College Place Methodist led the congregation in singing several beloved hymns from the Cokesbury tradition as the conference sang enthusiastically together one final time.
The service centered on testimonies of God’s faithfulness.
Ronnie Wiggins of Christ Church in Albany shared about the ways God had worked in his life during the hot month of July.
Melissa Edwards gave a moving testimony about her son, Ben. After being paralyzed and told he would never walk again, Melissa continued trusting that God was greater than any diagnosis. Thirty days later, Ben walked out of the hospital.
Before the testimonies, Rev. Dave Hanson offered another of his beloved “John Wesley Moments.”
Reflecting on Wesley’s Aldersgate experience, Hanson reminded the conference that John Wesley came to understand salvation not simply through knowledge or ministry experience, but when his heart was “strangely warmed” by the grace of God.
For decades, these brief reflections on Wesley’s life and theology have become a treasured tradition at Methodist gatherings, helping each generation remain connected to its Wesleyan heritage.
In a touching surprise, the tables were then turned.
Rev. Jay Hanson shared a “Dave Hanson Moment,” honoring his father and his lifelong ministry. He reflected on the large conferences Dave Hanson once led, where cabins overflowed and even tents were needed for attendees. Yet he also celebrated his father’s willingness to faithfully teach and preach whether speaking to thousands or just a handful. At the conclusion of this moment Dave received a standing ovation.
Today, Dave Hanson continues sharing his love for John Wesley and Jesus through his regular lectures at the John Wesley Museum.
Bishop Leah Hidde-Gregory then led the conference in celebrating Holy Communion.
Following the consecration of the elements, Bishop Gregory and Conference Superintendent Jay Hanson served Communion to those Certified Lay Ministers who were being recognized. Those lay ministers then turned and served the bread and cup to the rest of the worshiping congregation—a beautiful picture of ministry shared throughout the whole Church.
Sent to Finish the Task
As the conference came to a close, the congregation joined together one final time in joyful singing before Rev. Jay Hanson offered the closing benediction.
Using the image of a football team gathered in a huddle, Hanson reminded the conference that while teams must huddle together, games are not won in the huddle.
The purpose of gathering is to prepare to go.
Annual Conference had been a time for worship, fellowship, learning, encouragement, and holy conferencing. Now it was time for clergy and laity to return to their churches, communities, and neighborhoods to live out the mission Christ has given His Church.
With that challenge, the South Georgia Annual Conference concluded and God’s people were sent back into the world—to make disciples of Jesus Christ and to Finish the Task.
Read the other conference daily updates at https://www.sgagmc.org/ac-2026
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