Rain Couldn’t Dampen the Spirit as Annual Conference Begins at Epworth

By the Rev. Dr. David Wesley Donnan
Communications Director, South Georgia Conference of the Global Methodist Church

An early evening rainstorm could not dampen the spirit of the faithful Methodists gathered at Epworth By the Sea Wednesday evening for the opening of the 2026 Annual Conference of the South Georgia Conference of the Global Methodist Church.

Clergy and laity from across South Georgia arrived throughout the afternoon on St. Simons Island, filling the campus with reunions, conversations, and anticipation for the days ahead.

The afternoon began with a smooth registration process led by Conference Administrator Michelle Martin and a team of volunteers who welcomed and assisted delegates as they arrived. Volunteers also helped conference attendees navigate the summer heat by driving golf carts across the Epworth campus. Among those serving during the hot afternoon hours were the Rev. Steven Riddle, the Rev. Paul Broussard, and the Rev. Barry Giddens.

An hour before the opening worship service, the conference prayer team gathered for a special time of prayer led by Anna Miller. Miller shared Scripture and invited members of the prayer team to surround and pray over the evening’s speakers and leaders.

During the gathering, Conference Superintendent Jay Hanson challenged those present to remain open to what God might want to do in their own lives during the conference. Leaders can sometimes arrive at gatherings believing God has brought them there primarily so they can help someone else, Hanson said, while missing the possibility that God may want to do something in them.

That spirit of expectation carried into an energetic opening worship service.

The Bristol House Band, joining the conference from Texas, led the gathering in worship, including “One Thing Remains” and “King of Kings.” The congregation filled the auditorium with song as the conference officially began.

Caren Dilts, children’s minister at Porterfield Methodist Church, opened the service with prayer and introduced the evening’s preacher, the Rev. Dr. Tom Tanner.

Tanner serves as senior pastor of RiverStone Church in Marietta, Georgia, where he has served since 1999. He is also president of The Transformation Network, an organization dedicated to church planting, and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2020 with an emphasis in church planting.

In his message, Tanner reflected on growing up in Tuscumbia, Alabama, the birthplace of Helen Keller, and shared part of his own call to ministry. He remembered the influence of a faithful pastor, Alton Paris, whose ministry had a profound impact not only on Tanner but on approximately 100 other young people during his years of service.

Drawing from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, Tanner challenged South Georgia Global Methodists to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

He emphasized that being filled with the Spirit is not reserved for pastors or church leaders. It is for every follower of Jesus. Tanner also stressed that the filling of the Spirit is not simply a one-time experience from the past, but an ongoing reality in the life of the believer.

Reflecting on Pentecost, Tanner reminded the congregation that the work and baptism of the Holy Spirit ultimately lead God’s people toward love.

The evening concluded as members of the conference prayer team moved to the front of the auditorium and prayed with people who came forward during several songs of worship. Across the front of the room, clergy and laity prayed together as the band continued to lead the congregation.

The first night of Annual Conference began with rain outside, but inside the auditorium, South Georgia Global Methodists gathered with energy, prayer, worship, and an expectation that God will continue to work throughout the days ahead.